MXL Microphones: studio and USB microphones accessible to every musician
For more than twenty years, MXL Microphones has held a special place in the world of audio recording. While most major brands focus on the very high end, MXL has made the opposite bet: bringing professional studio sound within everyone's reach. The result is a family of condenser microphones, USB mics and broadcast solutions that, for a reasonable budget, deliver a level of detail and fidelity normally reserved for far more expensive gear.
A subsidiary of the American group Marshall Electronics, MXL has established itself as the natural gateway into the home studio. Whether you are a singer, podcaster, streamer, musician or videographer, the brand offers a microphone for every use, from the first large-diaphragm condenser to plug-and-play USB models that set up in seconds. This versatility, combined with consistent build quality, explains why so many amateur and professional studios got their start with an MXL.

Key takeaways
- ✔︎ American brand: a Marshall Electronics subsidiary, founded to democratize studio sound
- ✔︎ Ranges: 770 and 2006 condensers, V67, REV series, TEMPO and AC USB mics
- ✔︎ Versatility: vocals, podcasting, streaming, broadcast and instrument recording
- ✔︎ Short supply chain: available at Green Musicians, new, refurbished or second-hand
The story of MXL: democratizing the studio microphone
MXL Microphones was born in the late 1990s, within Marshall Electronics, an American group specialized in professional imaging and precision electronics, based in El Segundo, California. The founding idea was simple: as the home studio boomed with the spread of computer music, there was a gap in the market for affordable, genuinely usable condenser microphones.
Success came almost immediately. The MXL 990, launched at the turn of the 2000s, became one of the first large-diaphragm condensers sold at an accessible price, and settled permanently into student bedrooms and small studios alike. This success laid the foundations of a philosophy the brand has never abandoned: offering a price-to-quality ratio that is hard to beat, without sacrificing what matters most, faithful reproduction.
Over the years, MXL has expanded its catalog to cover every use of modern recording: studio condensers, USB microphones for streaming and video conferencing, broadcast models for the spoken voice, instrument kits and accessories. It is this diversity that we invite you to explore in detail.
The MXL microphone ranges: a model for every use
How much does it cost?
- ✔︎ Entry level: TEMPO KR and AC404, plug-and-play USB mics to get started
- ✔︎ Mid-range: 770, 770X and 2006, versatile studio condensers
- ✔︎ High end: V67i and the REV series, refined capsules and premium finishes
- ✔︎ Specialized: BCD-1 for broadcast, AC360Z for conferencing, 550/551R for instruments
Studio condensers: the heart of the range
Condenser microphones are MXL's DNA. The MXL 770 is the most iconic model: a cardioid large-diaphragm condenser, able to capture voices and instruments with a remarkable level of detail for its category. Its bigger brother, the MXL 770X, pushes the formula a step further with a wider response and reinforced presence in the high frequencies.
For voices that need a little more character, the MXL 2006 offers a more assertive sonic signature, while the MXL V67i stands out with its dual capsule, allowing you to choose between two complementary tonal colorations. For those who want to get started immediately, the MXL 770 COMPLETE bundles the microphone and its essential accessories in a single ready-to-use set.

USB microphones: plug-and-play for streaming and podcasting
With the explosion of streaming, podcasting and remote work, MXL has developed a range of USB microphones that are extremely easy to use. The MXL TEMPO KR and the MXL TEMPO WR plug straight into a computer, with no audio interface or preamp: you record your voice in seconds, whether for a podcast, a video or an online meeting.
For content creators and gamers, the MXL AC404 LED and the MXL AC404Z provide a compact, effective solution, ideal for capturing a clear voice in front of the screen. The MXL AC-406 completes the offer with a desk communicator designed for professional video conferencing.

Broadcast and conferencing: the spoken voice in the spotlight
For radio, voice-over and dubbing, the MXL BCD-1 is a dynamic broadcast microphone tailored to the spoken voice: controlled directivity, rejection of ambient noise and natural reproduction of the midrange. In a more collective setting, the MXL AC360Z WH is a conference microphone able to pick up all the participants of a meeting room.
Instrument kits and adapters: the smart add-ons
Musicians who want to record their instruments will find what they need with the MXL 550/551R instrument mic kit, a pair designed for recording acoustic instruments. Finally, for those who already own an XLR microphone and want to plug it into USB, the MXL MIC MATE and the MXL MIC MATE PRO turn any microphone into a USB microphone in a snap.

The REV series: MXL's high-end renewal
With the REV series, MXL wanted to show that it could also address the most demanding sound engineers. These models embody the brand's most accomplished craftsmanship, with selected components and refined design. The MXL REV MINI FET is a fine example: a condenser microphone with an assertive character, designed to bring a distinctive color to voices and instruments in a studio context.
This move upmarket reflects MXL's ambition: no longer just the gateway to the home studio, but also a credible alternative for established studios, alongside the historical references of the sector.
The manufacturing philosophy: the essentials, done well
What sets MXL apart from many entry-level brands is the consistency of its build quality. Capsules are assembled and tested with care, mic grilles and bodies are built to last, and every model is checked before shipping. To do this, the brand relies on Marshall Electronics' industrial infrastructure, a guarantee of seriousness and reproducibility.
This rigor translates into microphones with controlled self-noise, consistent sensitivity and well-controlled directivity: all criteria that make a difference when recording, and that can be found across the entire catalog, from the first condenser to the simplest USB microphone.
Checklist before you buy
- ✔︎ Use: vocals or instruments → 770/2006/V67i condenser; spoken voice → BCD-1; streaming → USB mic
- ✔︎ Connectivity: USB for a direct connection, XLR if you already own an audio interface
- ✔︎ Directivity: cardioid to isolate the source, omnidirectional for a meeting table
- ✔︎ Accessories: a stand, pop filter and windscreen noticeably improve the final result
Why choose an MXL microphone at Green Musicians?
Green Musicians is proud to offer a selection of MXL microphones, available on the MXL brand page and also accessible via a search across all MXL models. Buying an MXL at Green Musicians means enjoying several advantages:
- An evolving catalog: we follow the brand's collections and make them available quickly, with short supply chain, refurbished or second-hand products.
- Competitive prices: our marketplace model allows us to offer attractive prices, especially on second-hand and refurbished microphones, ideal for equipping yourself without breaking the bank.
- An active community: by buying at Green Musicians, you join a community of passionate musicians who share your ecological and economic values. Music gear has several lives, and we are here to multiply them.
- Personalized support: our team is at your service to help you choose the MXL microphone that matches your use and budget.
If you want to learn more about other microphone brands, we invite you to read our complete guide to sE Electronics, our article on Blue Microphones, or our guide Which USB microphone to choose? to refine your selection.
Pro tip
To get the best out of an MXL condenser, place the microphone slightly above your mouth, angled downward: you will reduce plosives and sibilance while keeping a natural timbre. A pop filter, even a modest one, makes an immediate difference to the recording quality.
And that's it! We hope this article has made you want to discover or rediscover the world of MXL Microphones and its accessible, effective recording solutions. All that's left is to browse Green Musicians to find the MXL of your dreams at the best price.
We offer a complete catalog of musical instruments featuring brands from around the world such as Fender, Gibson, Martin, Taylor, Ibanez and many more. Whether you are an amateur or professional musician, our marketplace is designed to offer you the best of music.
Green Musicians is also the music marketplace where everyone can buy or sell music gear with confidence: new, refurbished and second-hand instruments, as well as software, plugins, sheet music and samples.
For any question or comment about this article, or if you would like to suggest a topic, please speak up below.
Leave a comment