MXL 770 Microphone Price, Specs, Reviews & Discussions

About the MXL 770 mic

The MXL 770 is one of those mics you see recommended everywhere for beginners, and for good reason. It’s a small-diaphragm condenser with a 22mm gold-sputtered capsule, cardioid pickup pattern, and a fairly balanced sound that works on vocals, instruments, and even casual podcasting or streaming. Unlike larger condensers, the smaller capsule makes it a bit more forgiving in untreated rooms, helpful if you’re recording at home where background noise is always a factor.

Build-wise, the 770 feels solid in the hand. I actually like its matte black and gold look much more than MXL’s older champagne finishes (like on the 990) which I’ve always found dull and dated. The mic weighs about a pound, has a rugged all-metal body, and comes with a decent shock mount and foam-lined plastic case. The included mount is fine for reducing basic vibrations, but don’t expect top-tier isolation, you may still pick up some low-end rumble if your desk or stand gets bumped.

Sound quality is where most people form their opinion of the 770. Vocals tend to come through with a nice low-end warmth while keeping the highs present without being piercing. That makes it a common choice for rap and spoken word, but it can handle acoustic guitars and pianos just as well. One thing to note is the noise floor, it sits at about 20 dB, which isn’t the quietest out there. In a typical home setup, it won’t ruin your recordings, but if you’re chasing whisper-quiet vocal takes, you may run into its limits.

MXL added a couple of handy features: a -10 dB pad for loud sources (guitar amps, drums) and a low-cut filter to tame rumble. Under the hood it runs on a FET preamp with transformerless Class A circuitry, which helps it stay clear and fairly neutral. Like any condenser, it needs 48V phantom power and a proper XLR audio interface, not a USB plug-and-play setup. Personally, I recommend skipping the temptation of cheap USB mics; going XLR with something like the 770 and an entry-level interface gives you way more flexibility down the road.

At about $94, the 770 hits a sweet spot for beginners who want to get into recording without feeling like they bought a toy. It’s not as refined or quiet as higher-end studio mics, but it feels like a “real” microphone in every sense, and that alone makes it a better investment than many budget USB options. If you’re just starting out, want something versatile, and don’t mind a little extra background noise, the MXL 770 is a solid choice, and in my opinion, one of MXL’s better-looking mics too.

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Technical Specs

MXL 770 Mic user manual

Our Review for MXL 770 Mic

MXL 770 Prices*

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Amazon USA

94.89 USD

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