MXL v67G vs. 770 vs. 990

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Greetings mate and Welcome aboard.

Stuart Charles here, HomeStudioBasics.com helping YOU make sound decisions leading to a beautiful audio experience that will make you fall in love with music (NOT gear) all over again, so…

Today I’m going to be hitting you with the MXL 990 vs. 770 comparisons, but we’ll also throw in the MXL V67G in there for good measure.

By the end of this article, you will have a clear idea of which may be best suited for your needs!

Now let’s get rolling.

MXL 990

Price: Check Amazon! |  Check Sweetwater! | Check eBay!

In The Box

MXL 990 Large-Diaphragm Cardioid Condenser Microphone (Champagne)

Custom Shockmount

Mic Stand Adapter

Carrying Case

Limited 1-Year Manufacturer Warranty
Registration Extension: 1-Year (US Only)

Specifications

• Analog or digital: Analog.
• Frequency response: 30Hz to 20KhZ.
• Max SPL: 130 dB. What is SPL?
• Connectivity: XLR. What is XLR?
• Capsule: Condenser.
• Polar pattern: Cardioid.
• Type: Mounted.
• Applications: Studio.
• Diaphragm size: Large diaphragm. Large diaphragm vs. Small diaphragm.
• Switches: None.
• Phantom power required: Yes (48V).
• Width: 2.4″
• Height: 5.11″
• Weight: 1.2 lb.
• Case: Carrying case.
• Clip: Yes.
• Shockmount: Yes.

Summary

The MXL 990 is a condenser microphone and seems to be at its best in voice-over-type situations.

One of the defining characteristics of this mic is that it has a warm, bassy undertone.

Some call it “muddy”, I personally really enjoy that type of sound. It’s got that radio quality to it.

It has also been known to do extremely well in live situations (choir, etc.) as well as a simple starter home recording studio.

If you take away one thing from this review, it should be this: As an entry-level mic, this is amazing.

If you’ve been stuck using your computer speakers, the 990 will sound like music to your ears.

However, as you grow and develop your equipment and sound, its flaws and shortcomings will be made apparent.

One other important thing to keep in mind is that it won’t necessarily sound as good without some EQ.

This was very common among-st reviewers who needed it for vocals and applies in most recording situations.

As a condenser, it is very sensitive and picks up a lot of sounds.

Some common techniques I came across, which are pretty standard:

• EQ (equalization)
• Compression
• Reverb
• DeEssing
• A Noise Gate (to block out extraneous sounds, ambient noise, etc.)
• A properly treated room. This can mean using blankets, acoustic studio foam, or anything that will deaden the sound and block out noise. Check out my article on Acoustic Sound Treatment for some tips on setting up your space!

All that said, this baby will serve as your go-to mic in a bind, and makes a more than serviceable backup if you’re a bit more advanced.

If you’re just starting out, you may want to consider it!

Pros

• Perfect for beginners. Entry-level heaven.
• Good for vocals.
• Well made and durable.
• Rich tone, a nice bassy undertone. Gives your vocals a pleasant warm quality. Can enhance your voice.
• Clear and crisp sound, pristine.
• Longevity. The mic will last you a good while before you decide to upgrade.
• Picks up a lot of nuances, and subtle sounds in your voice.
• Smooth radio sound, great for speech. People loved the fact that it makes you sound like you’re on NPR or something 🙂
• Nice durable case with foam padding. A professional-looking piece.

Cons

• Muddy. A lot of people used this term in their review.
• Shock-mount. Some liked it, others did not. The outer ring on it may wear out.
• One guy had an issue with the cable and said it needed to be wiggled at times to keep it working. If you have this problem, just send it back and the new cable will be fine.
• Not as good for instruments or amps. Some said otherwise, but the low end starts at 30 Hz. It’s better to start off with 20 Hz for instruments.
• Doesn’t record loud very well. If this is the case, you may consider standing a bit farther away and lowering the gain on your interface/mixer. There are solutions to most of the 990’s problems. You just may have to experiment a bit…

Check out the video review!

Who this mic benefits?

I’ve seen it endorsed for all of the following, but keep in mind that it’s at its best in a voice-over-type environment.

Some examples:

• live streaming/YouTube
• VoIP
• Video math lessons
• Google hangouts calls
• Podcasting
• Internet radio hosting/radio broadcasting

For recording:

• Vocals. I found that you most likely will want to EQ it for vocals. For just speech, it does fine without.
• Hip-Hop vocals
• Drums
• Acoustic Guitar

That said, the majority of people liked it for voice-over, with vocals coming in second, and instruments third. It will also do quite nicely in a live setting.

What you will need?

• Before you buy this mic or any mic that is XLR, you will need the following:
  • 48v Phantom power via your audio interface, or some sort of mixer.

  Here are a couple of options I recommend:

  Focusrite Scarlett 2i2.

  I owned the first-generation model in the past but had to sell it because it wasn’t compatible with Windows 10.

  Don’t let that deter you from purchasing a 3rd generation unit.

  These interfaces are a fantastic value and provide great bang for your buck. I don’t regret a single moment.

  With over 41,000 ratings on amazon and a super high star mark, it’s a pretty easy purchase.

  Universal Audio Volt 2.

  This is the unit I currently have and I also highly recommend it.

  It actually has 7dB more gain than the 2i2 (55 vs. 48) so you’ll have an easier time with some dynamic mics that need more juice (like an SM57 for example), but you also won’t be turning up the gain as much with a condenser.

  You’ll also need:
  

  • XLR cables like these.
  • A Pop-filter like this.

  Mic Stand

  I’ve had a plethora of stands over the years including a Boom Stand, A Desktop stand, and a Scissor Arm.

  I highly recommend the Scissor arm as it’s so much more convenient and won’t annoy the crap out of you.

  I’ve had this one since August of 2021 and love it.

  Desktop stands are much too bulky and heavy, and they’re hard to get in a good spot.

  Boom Stands are okay, but if your mic is heavy get ready to pull your hair out when it drifts around everywhere.

  Boom stands are notorious for this issue so I’d say definitely make sure you invest in a super heavy-duty one if you’re to go this route.

Consensus/Conclusion

The MXL 990 is the perfect starter microphone if you desire to get your feet wet with audio interfaces and more professional setups.

It’s at its best in a voice-over type environment and will give your voice a nice warmth and full body.

It also does well with vocals and some recording applications, but it’s at its best from a strict speech standpoint.

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Onto…

MXL 770

Price: Check Amazon! | Check Sweetwater! | Check eBay!

In The Box

MXL 770 Multipurpose Cardioid Condenser Microphone (Black)

High-Isolation Shockmount

Rugged Carrying Case

Limited 1-Year Manufacturer Warranty

Specifications

Type: Condenser pressure gradient mic with large 22 mm. diaphragm
Frequency Range: 30Hz-20kHz
Polar Pattern: Cardioid. What is a cardioid capsule?
Sensitivity: 10mV/Pa
Impedance: 200 Ohms
S/N Ratio: 80dB (Ref. 1Pa A-weighted)
Equivalent Noise Level: 18dB (A-weighted IEC 268-4)
Maximum SPL for 0.5% THD: 134dB
High Pass Filter: 6dB/octave, 150HZ
Attenuator Switch: 0/-10dB
Power Requirements: Phantom Power 48V +/-4V
Size: 60mm x 154mm
Weight: 420g
Metal Finish: Black/Gold

Summary

The MXL 770 is pretty similar to the 990 and is known for being a very versatile mic.

It can handle vocal applications ranging from female, all the way down to rap.

It also does well with instruments and can be used as a voice-over tool.

I would say its main draw is in hip-hop and rap, as well as female vocals.

It has a natural low-end sound, kind of like the 990 but less in your face so to speak.

Pros

• Nice warmth and fullness to your voice.
• Clean and clear. The highs are nice and crisp, lows tight and punchy.
• Versatility is a big selling point.
• has a -10db switch and low pass filter to block out noise if you don’t feel like EQ’ing.
• Comes with a high-quality case and shock mount.
• Natural low end, as well as a natural overall signature.
• Solid construction, very durable (like an ox).
• The price to performance is through the roof.

Cons

• Can be a bit raw sounding. May need a bit of EQ, which is pretty standard.
• There may be an issue with humming, but can be remedied. The grill/shield on the mic is might not make electrical contact with the microphone housing and could cause RF/ground noise (60Hz hum/buzz) to be introduced into your recordings
• The solution is to gently twist the grill of the mic, while gently holding the base. This will fix the problem!

Female Vocal Test

Rap Test

Who this mic benefits?

• RAPPERS first and foremost. Also does well with R&B. It’s a natural low-end sound that greatly benefits that husky male voice, but can also make a higher-pitched voice sound more manly. 😀
• Female vocals.
• Instrument recordings such as acoustic guitar, fiddle, and drums.
• Podcasting and voice-over type applications.
• People who would utilize the -10db switch and built-in low pass filter.

What you will need?

It’s an XLR condenser mic, so you will need all of the same components as with the 990.

What is the difference between a USB microphone and a XLR microphone?

Consensus/Conclusion

Perhaps the greatest strength of the MXL 770 is its versatility.

It is widely endorsed for rap vocals, female vocals, as well as voice-over and instrument recording. It’s a jack-of-all-trades piece that has a very natural sound signature overall.

The low end is extremely warm and pleasant and gives your voice a nice added emphasis.

Similarities & Differences

Similarities

• Look and feel. Both the 990 and 770 have similar shapes.
• Durability. They have both been praised mightily for being solid and durable. The construction of these things is second to none. They will feel great in your hand.
• Both come with a shock mount, and by most accounts, it is well-made and works fine.
• Both are XLR condenser mics and need 48v phantom power to operate.
• Both are very sensitive and benefit greatly from EQ and a treated room.

Differences

• Color. The 990 has a muted gold/champagne sort of color, while the 770 is black with flashes of deep gold.
• Features. The 770 has a -10db switch as well as a built-in low pass filter, which blocks out some ambient noise. It isn’t perfect but is very convenient when you don’t feel like EQing. The 990 has neither of these features, which is one of the reasons it’s not quite as good overall.

Sound

As far as sound is concerned, both are very very similar but there is a glaring discrepancy in the air regions around 5-9kHz.

The 770 has a very pronounced peak of around 9dB vs. roughly 4 for the 990.

Mid-range

The other difference is that the 770’s mid-range response takes a slight dip from 2-3kHz.

Aside from that, these are pretty close to identical in the other frequency ranges.

MXL V67G vs. MXL 770 vs. MXL 990

MXL V67G

Price: Check Amazon | Check Sweetwater! | Check eBay!

In The Box

MXL V67G Large-Diaphragm Cardioid Condenser Microphone (Green with Gold Grille)

MXL-MT001 Hard Mount Mic Stand Adapter

Zipper Pouch

Limited 1-Year Manufacturer Warranty

Specifications

• Type: Condenser pressure gradient mic with large 25mm diaphragm capsule. Large diaphragm vs. Small diaphragm.
• Frequency Range: 30Hz-20kHz
• Polar Pattern: Wide Cardioid
• Impedance: 200 ohms
• S/N Ratio: 74dB (Ref. 1Pa A-weighted)
• Equivalent Noise Level: 20dB(A weighted IEC 268-4)
• Max SPL for 0.5% THD: 130dB. What is SPL?
• Power Requirements: Phantom Power 48V +/-4V
• Current Consumption: <3.0mA
• Size: 47mm x 184mm
• Weight: 1.3lb
• Metal Finish: Gold/Teal

If the MXL770 opted for a rather pronounced bump in the treble, and the 990 was a bit more subdued about it, the V67G is the smoothest out of the 3.

It instead goes for a very very gradual rise from 2kHz all the way to 10, so not quite as neutral as the 990 but better handled than a 770.

The other difference is that the V67G’s response drops off considerably below about 30Hz, so it may lack a bit of body.

In other words,

if you’re a female reading this, you may opt for the 67G. If you’re a male with a huskier voice, you should probably go with a 990 or 770.

Final Word

At the end of the day, I’d rank them as follows:

1. MXL990
2. MXLV67G
3. MXL770

The MXL 770 is a bit too boosted in the air regions and I think you’ll be doing more EQ than necessary in post-processing, but you can still get good results.

My top recommendation today is most certainly the 990 as it doesn’t suffer from any weird dips and also places just the right amount of emphasis in the treble area.

This ensures you can get a good take and not have to mess with EQ all that much. In fact, the 990 is pretty similar to the Rode NT1 but comes at a more affordable price.

Learn More:

 

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Well, that’s about it for today friend! If you have any other questions or need me to clear something up, don’t hesitate to contact me or write to me in the box down below!

I hope you’ve come away with a better idea of the similarities and differences between the MXL v67g vs. MXL770 vs. MXL990 and are better equipped to make a decision!

Are you convinced that the 990 is the way to go? Let me know!!

I very much look forward to hearing from you…

All the best and God bless,

 

 

-Stu

[Xtr@Ba$eHitZ]

Be sure to check out my Reviews and Resources page for more helpful and informative articles!

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