Just Checked Out the MXL V67

[crawdad]

I bought this mic for a friend as a present, but since it came after I left for work, I had to wait till tonight to check it out. I did two tests using the mic--comparing it to the other three condensers I own--AT 4033, Octava 012 and Octava 219. The first test was on acoustic guitar and the second was on vocals. The first thing I noticed about the V67 was that it was very smooth sounding through all frequencies. It did not seems to hype any range. On vocals and guitar that equated to very round, nice recordings. Not too bright, not too boomy either--just balanced.

I did have to do a bit of level matching. The V67 is not as hot as the 4033 or the other two Octava mics. Once I did this, I could get a good picture of how the mics differed. The 4033 has some extra brightness built in, but its pleasant, usually. The Octava 219, I discovered, is a darker sounding mic overall. The 219 also seems to vary in its response considerably based on placement. This can be good or bad, depending on what you are going for. The placement affects coloration a LOT on this mic. The surprise of the bunch was the Octava 012 on vocal. For my voice, it was head and shoulders as good as both the 4033 and the V67 in my limited testing. Smooth, yet present.

Back to the V67. It made my voice sound like it was captured by some pretty expensive equipment. To my ear, it was smooth and had some depth that was a tad more noticable than the other 3 mics. For acoustic, I still gravitated toward the 4033, but the V67 did an admirable job. I think the MXL really shines on vocal (mine anyway). I'd like to record some other singers and see what it is like with them.

Anyway, the V67 goes away tomorrow, gift wrapped. I'll be sorry to see it go because now I want one too. Fortunately, it is inexpensive enough that I can afford to pick one up soon myself! By the way, I think this is the HEAVIEST mic I have ever lifted. You could do weight training with this thing, almost. I think it will serve my friend well. He does voice over recording and occasional vocals at his studio and I think this mic will be ideal for that application.

Well, thats it--one man's opinion. (disclaimer) No, Jag...I DON"T work for MXL! Or Octava, or Audio Technica. I'm just a project studio owner/musician trying to make a living like the rest of us. Peace.

 

[chessrock]

Thanks, Crawdad.

I'll be doing the same. Funny, since trying the Oktava (mc012), I can't seem to put it down. It's the first one I grab for accoustic guitar and as a drum overhead. And as you mentioned, it's underrated as a vocal mic (that small diaphragm can pump out some big sounds).

My Rode NT-2 used to handle most of these chores. It was never able to replace my Shure SM7 as a vocal mic, though, so now it's basically a lame-duck mic -- the odd man out in this lineup. It's too bad, because the NT-2 kicks much ass. So I figure I can get maybe $300 on ebay for it if I'm lucky.

But I still think I'll need to have a LD condenser, if for no other reason than I should JUST HAVE ONE. So the Marshall it is. If I'm going to have a lame-duck mic sitting around looking good, I don't want to have a lot of money tied up in it. And it may as well sound good, too! That would be a bonus.

Thanks for helping me make up my mind.

 

[cominginsecond]

I don't have a lot of experience with LD condensors, but I love my v67. I use it on almost everything (vox, acoustic guitar, room mic, bass cab, guitar cab, latin percission instruments, mono drum overhead) and it all sounds great to me. I only wished mine had cost $129 when I bought it.

 

[Fangar]

I gonna buy me one dem sangs. Sounds yike dat mic can pix up sum dat sweet shit dis wayz n dat.

Dang,

Fangar

-------(Same as above, but typed through a v67) ----------

Excellent. I am planning on purchasing one of those wonderfully acclaimed microphones. It sure sounds as if they can be used in a wide variety of applications with grand results.

Thanks,

Fangar

 

[notCardio]

Hmmm - bass cab?

Cominginsecond,

What kind of bass cab are you micing with your 67? 12", 15", 10"? What kind of music? Do you have any placement tips?

Thanks

 

[cominginsecond]

I borrowed an Ampeg amp from my friend. Not too sure how big the speaker is. I would guess 15". I placed it about 5" from the mesh, dead center. For the song I was working on it sounded better than an Audix D4 and a EV re20 (both on loan). I play indie pop music (think Belle and Sebastian, Pet Sounds-era Beach Boys, the Smiths, The Apples in Stereo, Built To Spill, though not as good as any of those bands)