MXL V67Q

(Originally written by windgong/translated from Audiofanzine FR)
MXL-V67Q - Stereo XY 90°. Condenser - 2 x 22-mm diaphragm Mogami wires. Light considering the dimensions. Sold with aluminum case, shockmount and high-quality stereo cable.

OVERALL OPINION

Nice mic with a good stereo imaging. This XY 90° doesn't sound too narrow, it has no hole in the middle and is well-balanced. Natural, smooth and warm sound. The mic slightly picks up the ambiance giving a vivid sound. I'm a drummer/percussionist. I used the MXL V-67Q for a contemporary percussion research with drums and gongs picked up with overheads.

For a cymbal-only recording (about 15 cymbals from splash to china of different manufacturers plus Paiste's percussive Flanger Bell and Mega Cup Chime) the sound is authentic, warm, smooth and quite accurate. In spite of the china models, which sound generally aggressive, the sound is pleasant, silky and open. All overtones are captured and you can recognize the sound character of the different cymbals. The most demanding cymbals, the percussive ones, are well reproduced, their sound is authentic and not too metallic. I find it sounds very nice for cymbals. But watch out because it requires a good level setting since it can easily produce distortion, especially with china models, unlike other mics I usually use (MXL V-67Q with a Tascam HD-P2 without filter and pad).

For example, I also use a Samson CL8 pair as overheads. The CL8 produces a more precise, quite neutral and rather cold sound which emphasizes the metallic character but the overall result doesn't sound that cold, it is well-balanced and very realistic. It reproduces perfectly the different sound character of cymbals and never overloads with chinas.

As overhead for a drum kit (mix of Sonor Force 3005, S-Class, Delite and Tamburo Formula), the MXL V-67Q tends to emphasize the low frequency band of the toms but the sound remains responsive, warm and quite accurate (MXL V-67Q with Tascam HD-P2 without filter but with -20-dB pad). I prefer to record without EQ and cut the low-end in the mix. In comparison, the Samson CL8 has more precision for toms whose low frequency range is tighter.

The V-76Q gives very good results for gongs (about 15 gongs) with many details, dynamics and warmth. But it can overload with some special gong sounds which make the recording a bit difficult. But it's not a problem with adequate settings. I find the gong sound reproduction authentic, warm, expressive and rather precise with present and realistic low frequencies (MXL V-67Q with Tascam HD-P2 without filter and pad). In comparison, the CL8 produces a slightly colder but more controlled sound.

As a summary, the MXL V-67Q provides a responsive and warm sound for percussions. It's especially interesting for picking up the ambiance with the cymbals and gongs. It's a bit weaker with drums (toms) but I'm not completely sure and I will do additional recordings to have a final opinion.

MXL V-67Q:

Cymbals: very good / gongs: good - very good / toms: good

This stereo mic has a very good value for money (difficult to find better), way beyond average. A good mic with a personal sound character.

I will later review the Samson CL8, the Beyerdynamic MCE82, and a M-Audio Pulsar II pair. I tested them on cymbals, a drum kit and gongs with a Tascam HD-P2.