MXL 440 Microphone Price, Specs, Reviews & Discussions

About the MXL 440 mic

The MXL 440 is a large-diaphragm condenser microphone aimed at home and project studios that need a straightforward, versatile mic without the high price tag. It's currently the lowest-price MXL mic on Amazon ($59.95)! It uses a gold-sputtered diaphragm with a fixed cardioid pickup pattern, meaning it’s designed to capture what’s directly in front of it while rejecting most sound from behind. The mic is powered by standard 48V phantom power, and MXL ships it with a basic stand mount and adapter, no shockmount or case, so you’ll probably want to add a pop filter and some form of isolation if you’re serious about recording vocals.

On paper, the MXL 440 has a frequency response of 30 Hz–20 kHz, handling sources up to 130 dB SPL, which makes it suitable for both vocals and instruments like acoustic guitar, percussion, or even close-miked amps at moderate levels. Its self-noise is rated at 20 dB (A-weighted), which is fairly typical for budget condensers: quiet enough for most applications, but not dead silent if you’re tracking delicate passages in a very quiet room. The signal-to-noise ratio of 80 dB means it’s capable of clean recordings as long as you’re not pushing the gain unnecessarily.

In practice, the MXL 440 tends to deliver a slightly bright character with some lift in the upper mids, which can bring presence to vocals and acoustic instruments. That’s often an advantage for singers who want their voice to cut through a mix, but on harsher voices it may emphasize sibilance. Placement and technique go a long way here, angling the mic slightly off-axis or adding a pop filter not only tames plosives but can smooth out some of the top end. For instruments, it captures plenty of detail, though the low end can build up quickly if positioned too close, so experimenting with distance helps.

One of the strengths of the 440 is its general-purpose nature. Unlike more specialized condensers, it doesn’t lock you into one role, it can move from vocal duties to acoustic guitar, drum overheads, or room ambience. That said, its cardioid-only design limits its flexibility compared to mics with switchable polar patterns. Also, the lack of onboard features like a pad or high-pass filter means you’ll need to rely on your preamp or DAW processing if you want to roll off rumble or control hot signals.

Overall, the MXL 440 is best seen as an affordable entry into large-diaphragm condensers. It’s not the quietest or most refined microphone out there, but it’s capable of producing professional results when paired with good technique and a treated space. For home recordists, singer-songwriters, or anyone looking to expand beyond USB mics and dynamics, it’s a solid “first condenser” that can cover a lot of ground. Just budget for a pop filter and decent stand mount to get the most out of it.

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Technical Specs

MXL 440 Mic user manual

MXL 440 Prices*

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Amazon USA

59.95 USD

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