MXL V57M

Think Ive had this one for 3 or 4 years now. I also have a Nandy I got around the same time. I use these for final vocal tracks onto an 8 track digital and tape systems. Been recording with tape recorders since 1968. Digital since 2000. Its 48v phantom powerd and sounds even better through a preamp.

These were the first large diaphram mikes I spotted on ebay years ago that were under $100 so I grabbed one. I was glad I did. They were a bit trickey getting used to after using cardoids for so many years. I had to quit some bad habits and learn some proper ones as far as distance recording, Pronouncing words, Mike screens etc. The FQ responce and sound quality are great. Mine will cut out if too high a DB level hits the diaphram and quickly returns. I believe its some kind of reverse gate built into the circuitry to prevent damage or distortion. Thought it was a flaw at first. So long as youre 6" or more away (where it should be) at screaming level it doesnt occur. Mike is super relyable and I give it a high rating for its cost.

I've been writing songs and recording for over 20 years. My home studio is equipped with the Akai DPS24, Mackie Monitors, several mics, guitars, keyboards and well the list goes on...

I first purchased the Marshall MXL V57M a few years ago to use as a back up mic. It sold for $99.95 back then. I thought for the price, what the heck. I'd find some use for it. I record a lot of acoustic guitar and vocals. The V57M is now one of my main go to mics not only for vocals and acoustic guitars but for mic'ing drum overheads as well. This is a very warm sounding mic with a nice tight bottom end. Excellent mids and highs as well. I am blown away by the V57M. It sounded better than my AKG C414 and AKG C1000s. This mic for the price is unbelievable. I had to buy another one recently. I mean $60.00 ($70.00 with the shock mount) It's an incredible value and worth 5 times the price or maybe even more. A few months back I had a chance to try and buy a Neumann TLM 103. I didn't like the sound of the 103 and though some will argue IMHO the V57M sounds waaayyy better and costs a lot less. Might not be better than Neumann's higher end mics but I'll bet it can give them a run for thier money. It's made very well, sounds great and I like the champagne color. It's heavy too. I highly recommend getting one if not two!

I'm a professional recording engineer and have worked in a variety of quality studios with Neve, SSL, Amek and Euphonix consoles. I record both to 2" analog tape and digital hardrive, depending on the project.

I have recorded using many vintage and newer Neumann mics and the MXL is every bit as good as the U87 and TLM 170. It has shimmering highs and a full round bottom end (not boomy or boxy). I'm actually using this low buget mic over others that are 10x the price, it's that good. It's my favorite mic in the MXL lineup. I've run it through a variety of class A pres and the result is always the same, excellent full sounding mic that delivers on vocals, acoustic gtrs, and ambient miking. I hear no harshness in the upper midrange, as in many of the other low cost LDCs I've used. This mic will sizzle when you run the signal through a tube comp. Great mic!

Writing music for 15 years, recorded in my first studio 10 years ago, and have been engineering on an ametuer level for six years. Formerly used ADAT's, I now use a DAW with various preamps and A/D converters. I own and have used numerous microphones ranging from $60 - $1,700. A close friend, and professional engineer bought me this mic for a birthday present.

Fixed cardioid condenser. I've used it on everything, I've yet to find any condensers that please me on guitar cabinets, so I don't have a good opionion of this mic for that purpose. One application I truely love this mic for is snare drum. It picks up that beatiful ring in it's truest form - I EQ a wide parametric slop at about 1K, that gradually rolls off the hi's and lows - because it can be peircing. :)
Vocals sound amazing, and I don't mean amazing for a $75 microphone, I mean AMAZING. I didn't realize how much I liked this mic until I purchased a RODE NT2000. That mic is a $600 microphone, although that microphone currently has more features than any other mic available, I compared it on male vocals to the MXL V57M. Because of the difference in price and options, I expected the RODE NT2000 to blow the MXL V57M out of the water. In the end I was happier with the sound of the V57M. I sent back the RODE, which was a great mic, but I couldn't justify keeping a $600 mic when I already had something that sounded a pinch better at a fraction of the price. The results of my comparion were very similar, and the RODE did have a slightly lesser amount of noise when I cranked my preamps all the way up, but the output on the RODE was also slightly lower. The V57M sounded a bit warmer, though both mics have a fairly flat frequency response. There is no hi-pass filter, and no pad on the V57M, whereas the NT2000 has an infinite amount of options for both as well as polar patterns - but for the price and especially the warmer sound, I'm sticking with my V57M - and knowing what I know now, I would have paid 5 - 6 times the price for it as my buddy did.
Here's the catch: I'm not sure if all of these mics sound as great as mine. When I explained the results of my comparison to my engineer friend, he told me that he "heard" these microphones were inconsistent when they were first manufactured. He purchased this mic while he was working in a pro audio store part time (mainly for the discounts and connections) He pulled a whole bunch of them, plugged them all in, and put them all to the test, then bought the best of the bunch. His idea was to use these mic's as throw around condensers. He wanted mic's he could use and abuse on loud sources, or for live show recordings where drunks might fall on them, or spill beer on them without killing $1000 microhones. I think I'll keep mine safe in my studio. A great mic for the value, but definatly give a listen to a few of them before buying - if you have that option. I cannot vouch for the inconsistency among these mics, but I can vouch for the high quality sound, and clarity of mine.

Record demos at home prior to hitting a big studio

I got this to replace a cheap radio shack $20 mic I was using to write songs and record demos with. All I know is that it sounds amazing comapred to the cheapo radioshack. I cant compare it to other condensors, because I do not have any, but for 30 buck more then my cheap one cost me it rules. All I use it for is to track basic stuff and write with. When the time comes to really record we hit a real stusio anyway with a good console and expensive mics etc. Also, this needed a pre so I got the cheapest ART Tube MP I could get (like $50). The combination of the two gets you some cool vocal sounds. Definitaly good enough for home recording.

professional voiceovers (8 years), recording and performing in bands (30 years) doing mainly hard disc audio recording with Power Tracks Pro and Pro Tools Free. Used on both Mac and PC formats.

large diaphram, 48 volt phantom powered condenser mike used for critical commercial and industrial voice overs, vocals, acoustic guitars, etc. It looks like a cheap version of a Neuman U-87 and does a suprisingly good job with limited gear- computer sound card, Alesis Studio 12R board, etc. I got it at MARS a few years ago after another engineer in town used a fancier Marshall on my voice for a lengthy industrial. My 57M is a fine condenser and as I experiment more with placements, etc. it surprises me how well it performs on a variety of material. I'm not sure it's made any longer... MARS is out of business.I did a review of it in my column in "Vintage Guitar" magazine a while back- check it out at www.vguitar.com
If you need a large diaphram mike for vocals, etc, I've been impressed. I have recorded using U-87s, TLM-103's, AKG 414's, etc. It won't make those mikes shiver but it's a fine piece and a great value nonetheless.