MXL V69ME Microphone Price, Specs, Reviews & Discussions

About the MXL V69ME mic

The MXL V69 Mogami Edition (V69ME) is a large-diaphragm tube condenser microphone designed primarily for vocals and voiceover work, though it can handle instruments too. At its heart is a 32mm gold-sputtered capsule paired with a 12AT7 dual-triode tube, which shapes the mic’s tone into something both smooth and present. Unlike solid-state condensers, this one requires its own external power supply rather than phantom power. That adds a bit of setup overhead, but it’s part of what gives the mic its character.

Build-wise, the V69ME is solid and simple. Its black body is accented by a 24k gold-plated grille, giving it a clean, classic look. There are no switches, pads, or filters on the body—what you see is what you get. While that means less flexibility compared to mics with multiple patterns or onboard controls, it also makes the V69ME straightforward to use. Just connect it to its power supply, let the tube warm up for ten minutes or so, and it’s ready.

The sound is where this mic earns its reputation. It has the crispness you’d expect from a condenser, but with added tube harmonics that give vocals extra warmth and body. The frequency curve shows a notable presence boost around 11 kHz, which helps voices cut through mixes. For some singers this lift adds polish, while for others—especially sibilant voices—it may need a touch of EQ. On the low end, the mic captures a rounded, rich tone without getting muddy. It’s marketed as a vocal mic, but in practice it does surprisingly well on guitar amps and acoustic guitar too, even if that’s not its main role.

Noise performance is about average for a tube mic. With a self-noise of 22 dB (A-weighted), it’s not as whisper-quiet as high-end solid-state condensers, but that slight background noise tends to vanish once tracks are layered into a mix. The Mogami Edition wiring does make a difference here. MXL partnered with Mogami to use their premium cabling both inside the mic and for the included XLR, which helps keep the signal clean and minimizes interference. If you ever want to experiment with tone, the 12AT7 tube is replaceable, so swapping it for a different model can give the mic a subtly different character.

One quirk of tube mics like the V69ME is heat. The manual suggests mounting it upside down in its shockmount during long sessions so rising heat doesn’t affect the diaphragm. That’s worth taking seriously if you use it often for extended takes. Also, never “hot plug” the 7-pin cable—always power down first, or you risk damaging the mic and power supply. These are minor workflow adjustments, but they’re part of tube mic ownership.

The included package is generous for the price point. Alongside the mic and its dedicated power supply, you get a suspension shockmount, foam windscreen, Mogami XLR cable, 7-pin power cable, and an aluminum flight case for storage. The shockmount is functional, though not as heavy-duty as the ones that come with MXL’s more expensive models. Still, for most home and project studios, the kit covers everything you need out of the box.

From a personal perspective, the V69ME feels like a solid long-term investment. It’s a mic that can instantly step up the quality of a home studio if you’re moving up from a USB or basic dynamic mic. I’ve found it to be one of the best upgrades I’ve made to my own setup: it adds warmth and clarity to voiceover recordings without needing a lot of processing afterward. At around $269, it’s not the cheapest option, but in terms of value it punches well above its cost.

In the end, the MXL V69 Mogami Edition is best seen as a dedicated vocal mic with personality. It won’t suit every voice—bright singers might need a de-esser or EQ—but for many, it delivers a polished, “record-ready” tone straight away. It’s not a do-it-all condenser, but if you’re after a warm, modern vocal sound with tube character, the V69ME is a reliable choice.

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Technical Specs

MXL V69ME Mic user manual

MXL V69ME Prices*

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Amazon USA

169.95 USD

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