MXL V69M vs. Apex 460

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mike_from_surry

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I know nothing about mics other than what Ive been reading on good boards like this one.

Im looking for a decent little mic to record mostly male lead and backup vocals as well as the odd live acoustic instrument (guitar, banjo, mandolin). Most of the time I record my guitar on a separate track direct through with the 1/4". Im just running this through my M-Audio Fast Track interface into the computer running Ableton Live. I rented the Apex 460 for a month and liked it but couldnt rent the mxl so I havent heard it but I really like that everyone seems to say it records very "warm" since most of my music is very intimate old style western.

My budget is about $250-$300 and at that price point I like these two options (MXL V69M and Apex 460). Im wondering if anyone would choose one or the other of these and why. Any other suggestions would be appreciated.
Also wondering how these two mics would compare to something like the CAD M177 which is on sale on MF for $80 right now. Seems to have decent reviews....

thanks....
 
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bump for anyone that might have experience and/or knowledge of either of these mics or any comparable in this price range.... thanks
 
i have the v69, never used the other one.

i have only done simple tests with it thus far, i have not done anything "serious' with it yet. but i can tell you i love it on acoustics, and even used it as a room mic, paired with an sm57, on my acoustic amp.

i havent used it on vocals yet, i did myself, but i dont sing, so it did me no good. i also purchased it to use on vocals for a project im working on with someone, he hasnt been over in a few weeks.

so far i like it, but as i said, nothing serious yet, so i guess this input of mine is worthless.
 
...of the 2 mics you mentioned, IMHO the V69 is the superior mic...I've had both and the Apex went the way of Ebay much quicker...there are some mods which vastly improve the Apex, but I don't think you want to get that involved at this stage of the game...

...you might want to wait a couple of weeks and check out a new mic from KEL (notice the reference to "low-priced tube mics) that's much less expensive and should suit your need based on the description (and sample sound clips)...KEL is well respected for offering very solid quality products at very low costs direct to the customer (without costly advertising/promotion)...here's the link:
http://www.kelaudio.com/hm2d.html
 
hey did those ship yet and have you tried it out kidvybes? i didn't end up advance ordering one.
 
kojdogg said:
hey did those ship yet and have you tried it out kidvybes? i didn't end up advance ordering one.
Click to expand...

...actually Koj, I signed up weeks ago for the deal (got the confirmaion from KEL) but haven't heard back since...they're still offering the introductory price so I guess their shipment was delayed...I listened to the sound clips and was impressed with the sound of the mic...I'm using dynamics more lately (including the Heil PR40 which, as you know, is a dynamic voiced like a condenser mic) so a condenser mic voiced like a dynamic sounds like another good option...and the pricepoint combined with KEL's good reputation makes it a real enticing deal...I'll keep you posted brother...;)
 
I have the V69M and the CAD M37, which is the same mic as the M177 but in a different housing. I like them both...the V69 has a somewhat more interesting and 'colored' sound. I like the M37 more for instrument and background vocal miking, and I like the V69 for lead vocals and acoustic guitars. Word to the wise--buy a quality NOS 12AT7 tube for the V69 if you get it. Replacing the stock Chinese piece of crap tube with a fresh Mullard made a night-and-day difference to the mic's sound.
 
No issues with anything that's been posted here so far but, I can't get past the part where this is is the guy's/gal's first and only mic and wanting to record vocals and plucked/string instruments.

I've got a pretty decent collection of mics to choose from and I too own an MXL V69. Love it...but it's almost never my first choice for these types of instruments. I just want to be sure we're not selling and mic here.

The mic is tasty for sure and a great addition to a collection but as a first and only mic, I don't know. In this budget and for some options, I'm thinking we can do a little better. A small condenser(s) for the insturmentals and maybe a bargain medium or large diaphram mic would be better advice.

Again, not bashing the mic but this person comes right out and says that he/she knows nothing about mics. I think everyone would agree, that this is a darker sounding mic. Not in a bad way but it's not an "honest" sounding mic. It comes down to taste, application and the environment.

In an untreated room, the big mic is going to pick it all up. Close micing to reduce the background noise will turn into boom. I'm thinking...a pair of small condensers...maybe even omni's would get you up nice and close and be fairly forgiving (Oh, I donno, something like MXL603's maybe or 604's just for arguement).

For vocals...man...until you've tried them out, it's a tough call. Again leaning toward the boring but reliable, something that's honest and clean might be the way to go. It's not gonna sound flashy but, it sure will reveal of the talent and the recording/mixing skills which, in a long run, is a good thing. I'd go with something like a Beta58. I know, not pretty but it's effective.

Ok, let the beating begin :(
 
punkin speaks a lot of wisdom. in an untreated room with a novice at the helm, a dynamic may certainly turn out better results for vocals.

but there's something inspiring about a nicer looking mic. and we're all always about getting a better performance, aren't we?

and it may also inspire him to address the acoustics of the room.

that said, i do like the sound of the V69. i almost bought one yesterday, actually, but they wouldn't give me the price i wanted on it. it's not nearly as sizzly sounding as a lot of the modern chinese mics--you could call it dark.....but i think it's just that it's not as hyped in the high end.

i can understand suggesting a more "neutral" mic.........my first "decent" mic was the SP B1, which is about as neutral as cheap mics get and while it did fine on acoustic and amps, it's about the most boring vocal mic i've heard.

bottom line, you need to find a mic that fits your voice. and even then, there's no guarantee it'll work on your voice on all songs.


cheers,
wade
 
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