MXL V69 Mogami

I've been making music for over 50 years, recorded over 20 albums/CD's with some major and minor hits in the 70's and 80's. Recorded in high-end studios in Nashville and L.A. Played around with recording since '68, but put together my first serious project studio in '81. Presently use a Behringer DDX3216 mixer with a Fostex D2424LV HD recorder; a Black Lion word clock keeps the digital demons at bay. Mics go through an ART MPA Gold before the DDX does the A/D coversion. Monitoring is through Mackie HR824's; I trust them.

The MXL V69 Tube Mogami is a cardioid-only condenser mic; a Chinese 12AX7 tube comes inside the mic, with a dedicated power supply driving it. Phantom power is not needed. I have two, purchased on the basis of a couple of rave mag reviews awhile back. When I first got the mics, they just didn't sound good-- a honky midrange that ruined any other positive qualities. I put them up on a shelf and forgot about them, wondering about the reviewers. A year or so later, I heard about a simple mod involving replacing the original tube with a New-Old-Stock 12AT7. I tried it (I used Mullards) and found I had 2 new mics! They sounded really warm, open and airy on my vocals, the only thing I use them for.
Last weekend a friend came over with his Neumann U87 for a shootout. We ran the mics through his Universal Audio tube preamp after a two-hour warmup. He left thinking about selling his U87. (I advised him not to-- we only tried the mics with voices, and the U87 is known for its flexibility; I can't comment on the flexibility of the V69.)
Both of my V69's have been problem free. (The unhappy reviewers here obviously got some bad units; I wonder why they didn't just return them to the retailer for good ones instead of getting torqued up.) The good news is that if you want one of these, they're cheap on eBay; the NOS tube might cost you $40 at most. For vocals, after the mod, they're incredible-- and probably really good for lots of other applications.

Recorded my first album for Island in 1974. Owned I.N.S. Recording in Manhattan and received numerous Platinum records for recording vocals for Keith Sweat, Public Enemy, And Cover Girls. .Did 3 albums of my own using a Neuman U87 for vocals and I vastly prefer the V69. Having said that, it recently became very noisy. Maybe a new tube will fix this problem.

I would highly recommend this. I had a vintage Neuman U47 and it was always broken - at a $1,000. per each repair, after 3rd time sold it.
For my voice - its my all time fave.

Been making music for about 15 years and recording for about 5 years.

Yamaha monitors

Pro Tools 002. MXL V69, MXL pencil Condensers, AKG Kick Mic, SM57s, 58s, EV Mics ECT.

The V69 is a great mic! I use it mainly on vocals and it captures very well. Crisp, Clear, powerful, what more do you want?? I just had an engineer at my house from LA yesterday. He has to work with Beyounce next week. Has worked with Santana, N-Sync, Backstreet Boys, Brett Dennan, the list goes. But that tells you what kind of a studio he works in! He was listening to my vocal tracks and was blown away by how clear they were. He looked at the mic and loved it!

I have had no problems with hums, pops, ect. You do have to let the tube warm up for about 20 minutes recommended! I wonder if some of these people got a mic with a bad tube?? Thats what it sounds like to me. Havent needed a D-esser yet. I think it does fine, mid, highs, ect.

I accidently left it on and was recording electric guitar out of a fender reissue 65 twin reverb amp and the v 69 was just sat up like a vocal mic off to the side of the amp and about 6 feet or so in front. The SRV styling rythm and solos were the best guitar tone I had ever heard recorded!! Blend an SM57 up close with this mic sat about the same, It is absolutely AMAZING!! And it was all by accident. I think it has to be back and off to the side like a room mic though. Used it for Accoustic guitar on many occasions and it sounds great there. Did have to EQ a little but was very good!!

I rate it a 9 because I know there are other mics out there for 10 times the money that WILL sound better. But for the price its hard to beat!!

I've been in music 35 years as a career, creating, performing and recording, from analog to digital. Mixed and mastered dozens of album projects.

The MXL V69 condenser mic is probably the worst mic I've ever tried,
honestly. Dark, muddy, lacking in any detail; you can literally get a better recording from an SM 57 or 58, both dymanic mics.
I A-Bed the V69 against a Studio Projects T3 (also tube) mic and several other similar priced low end condensors (non-tube) and I was shocked at how pooorly the V69 showed against the T3 AND every other mic. I have made better recordings with the lowest end Radio Shack cheapie mic than what came through the V69. Singing the same melody over and over again through each mic, the V69 was the absolute DOG.
The power supply has no adjustment for any other tonality than MUD.
I even tried to run the V69 through the T3 power supply, which has an impressive range of tonal control on the T3 mic from warm to bright, but the V69 would not budge....nothing but MUD.
I immediately put it back on Ebay and lost money ytring to sell it again; this mic is nothing BUT a loser.
I hardly ever find nothing good about a piece of audio gear,, but this mic is miserable, and I thought if I could save you the grief by warning you, than it would be the only good to come out of the entire experience.
If you can't sing, hate the natural sound of your voice and want to
muddy it up like it's coming through two feet of insulation, then you might try this; otherwise, try the SP T3 tube mic for a little more money, it sounds WORLDS better with much more detail and tonal range along with the tube warmth.

28 years playing gutar and making music, 25 years recording, now using pc based setup;

OUT OF THE BOX this mic was AND IS - UNUSEABLE; severe loud background noise/hiss and crackles pops etc;

ANY money you spend on this mic is being thown away - down the drain/pan;

But ANY other brand at the same price, try eg RODE, or save a little and buy at higher $; any "saving" you may think you are getting with this grossy inferior pos is NOT WORTH THE PAIN AND HEARTACHE;

MXL: nice website - UNUSEABLE PRODUCTS

Been playing (vocalist) for 20 years. Recording just for the past 2. Recording to D1600 DAW through Presonus Blue Max mic pre. Listening to it on KLRK rockit 5

Been recording for 35 years.. worked in big budget studios as an artist..And now as a producer..Daily studio work..Using analog front ends to digital.. Neve's for Crunchy, Grace's for open.. Have many mics..Gefell UMT800 is still my favorite overall mic..

Had an engineer friend I highly respect recommend this mic to me. He said just don't count on it in critical situations.. I found out what he meant..

The V69 is an intresting creature. Wonderful warm slightly mid scooped sound.. A little sparkle, but not harsh.. Great fit on most voices.. Didn't need any other mics..He just thought I should have it at my disposal..

Here is the rub.. Its a noisy mic.. Hums,hums, hums.. Then it stops working.. Maybe thirty minutes on the first go round and nothing.. Took an act of congress to get it returned to MXL..

I recomend the capsule they use, but forget the construction. A budget piece After the capsule I would guess.

Got a replacement mic back after some time, plugged it in, even more noise.. Trying to get them to something about this. Very frustrating for sure..

I've been a musician for about 12 years, recording music for about 5. I use a Presonus Firepod and Sonar 5.

I purchased the V69ME as a replacement for my AKG C3000B, hoping to record hard rock baritone/tenor vocals. I have been running the C3000B through an ART Tube MP StudioV3.

Whatever you do, DO NOT believe MXL's frequency response chart on their webpage! There is NO peak from 9-15 Khz. Even the manual that came with the mic suggests that is a slight peak above 10 khz (but I doubt that). The mic is warm, but doesn't have that nice higher frequency sparkle that you need for a tight vocal.

This mic may be great for some vocalists, but for the vocals I record there is way more definition to my AKG/ART setup than this mic.

The layer of soft white noise isn't really the problem with this mic, it's the LOUD random noise bursts and electric crackles. Granted, not all v69s have this problem, but it's a gamble. I've had the mic replaced 2 times and both have the same exact sudden noise build ups. If you read around you'll find this is a very common problem and it makes the mic totally unusable. There must just be something inherantly off in the design of this mic.

I've been trying to get this mic repaired for months and months now. If I took the money I spent in shipping the mic to them over and over I could have gotten a really nice mic! I know, the price pulls you in,,, but it's not for real, so look elsewhere.

If you're really on a tight budget, get a Studio Projects mic... they sound great and are much more reliable.

Playing guitar, recording an PA-mixing for about 12 years now.
Recorded metal, rock and reggae/ska-bands.
Using a M-audio Delta66 A/D-card, with a Mindprint Envoice II preamp/compressor.

Used it on vocals, sax, trumpet, trombone, percussion, drums.
Great mic for drums. Don't place it too close and you'll get
a real fat tone.
Vocals warm, but problems with the s-es. Always need to use a de-esser.