There have been quite a lot of people asking for recommendations between MXL 770 vs Rode NT1A. Both of these two are condenser microphones that are quite popular on the market. They tend to sound bright. They are especially popular for female vocals, rappers, and people with high voices. So, if you are now preparing to buy a decent mic for your home studio, which is the best condenser mic to choose? Below, we will see the details of both MXL 770 and Rode NT1A to determine the best choice for the money.
MXL 770 Design and Construction
Between the MXL 770 vs Rode NT1A mics, MXL 770 is shorter yet thicker and heavier. It measures 158 mm tall and 59 mm thick. It has a weight of approximately 453.59 grams. Nevertheless, it looks very stylish and elegant. The housing is colored in black, and is matched with a black grille. On the top part of the housing, there is a shiny golden lining which greatly enhanced the mic’s elegance. Above the golden lining is a small image which indicates the mic’s cardioid polar pattern. Under the golden lining, the product name and brand are also written in a classy golden font.
MXL 770 is a pressure-gradient condenser mic.Inside the mic is a 6-micron gold-sputtered diaphragm which is designed to deliver warm and clear sound. The capsule size is 22 mm. This mic requires +48V phantom power to be used. It is equipped with a FET preamp and a balanced transformerless output to deliver low-noise performance.
On this mic, you can find a selectable -10dB pre-attenuation switch. This feature is very handy when you need to capture the sound of a very loud instrument or vocalist. This mic also features a selectable high pass filter that is set at 150 Hz. You can use it to reduce low-end environmental noise such as wind sounds or traffic.
MXL 770 Performance
Both MXL 770 vs Rode NT1A are condenser mics, and these mics often sound bright. MXL 770 is crisp and clear, and it is able to pick up high-frequency sounds very well. Even so, the frequency response range is very good, spanning from 30 Hz to 20 kHz, so it can capture a wide range of frequencies.
MXL 770 also has natural low-end sound. The warm and natural low-end performance makes this mic excellent for rap vocals. It captures the sound very well and reproduces the sound with great detail and depth.
However, MXL 770 tends to sound very raw. So, it can be a hit-or-miss; it may sound bad on some people and it may sound good on some people. It is not very EQ-friendly. The output is not very customizable using the EQ. The output tends to get grainy more quickly when being equalized. MXL 770 also has the tendency to develop feedback issues, so you need to set it up carefully.
MXL 770 Included Accessories
The bundle of MXL 770 also includes a shock mount which you can use to reduce handling or mechanical vibrations. However, the shock mount is not very sturdy and durable. But, still, the shock mount is better than nothing at all.
Also included in the bundle is a padded carrying case. The carrying case looks very classy and elegant. The interior is nicely padded, featuring a dense foam layer that is carved out to create the places for the shock mount and mic. The exterior is solid and durable. This case is handy for travelling.
Rode NT1A Design and Construction
Rode NT1A measures 190 mm tall and 50 mm wide, so it is longer. The weight is about 326 grams. This pressure-gradient mic is armed with a JFET impedance converter with a bipolar output buffer. The capsule measures 1.0”. Just like MXL 770, Rode NT1A has a cardioid polar pattern. So, it focuses on capturing the sounds from the front. It rejects the sounds from the sides and rear directions.
Rode NT1A features a professional look. The mic has a silver color with a slight brownish or creamish tint. Compared to MXL 770, though, Rode NT1A appears rather plain. This mic is a little bit more versatile with the powering, as it can be powered by +24V and +48V phantom power.
Rode NT1A Performance
So, how does Rode NT1A sound? Truth to be told, Rode NT1A is quite versatile that it is suitable for both vocals and instruments, especially acoustic guitars. It bumps up the presence of the higher frequencies. The output is also highly detailed that it can reproduce subtle details very well.
One great advantage that Rode NT1A offers is the neutral response. It does not add much color to the output. As a result, it is much more customizable. The output can be tuned through the EQ more easily.
Furthermore, Rode NT1A boasts an ultra-low self noise level, which is only 5 dBA. It is incredibly quiet, which is why it can deliver such superior detail and clarity.
Rode NT1A Included Accessories
Next, when choosing between MXL 770 vsRode NT1A, consider whether you can benefit from the included accessories or not. One of the reasons why Rode NT1A is awesome is the numerous pieces included in the bundle. Well, almost every condenser mic in the market today comes with a shock mount, so that’s no longer a special thing. But, in addition to the shock mount, Rode NT1A also comes with a pop filter, cover, and XLR cable. There is also a bonus DVD which guides you in getting the best recordings from the mic.
These pieces are great, and are especially useful for someone who is just about to build up a home studio. Getting all these pieces from a bundle can save you several tens of bucks.
MXL 770 Vs Rode NT1A
| MXL 770 | Rode NT1A | |
|---|---|---|
| Brand | MXL Mics | Rode |
| Key features | - Multipurpose small-diaphragm microphone - Warm sound with extra clarity at the top end - FET preamp with balanced, transformerless output - Excellent for vocals, acoustic guitars, pianos, strings and voice-work | - Large 1 inch capsule with gold plated diaphragm - Cardioid polar pattern - Self Noise of only 5 dB (A) - Ultra low noise, transformerless surface mount circuitry - Wide dynamic range |
| Price | ||
| Customer Ratings* | 4.6 out of 5 stars | 4.6 out of 5 stars |
| Best Deal* | Save Money Please click here | Save Money Please click here |
NOTE : Product prices, availability, ratings and save money information are accurate as of the date/time indicated on post time (as seen right bellow the tittle) and are subject to change. Any price, ratings, availability and save money information displayed on Amazon Site at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
Conclusion
All in all, between these two mics, we recommend you to choose Rode NT1A. The output is more EQ-friendly, so you can adjust the output more easily. The bundle includes very useful accessories. On the other hand, MXL 770 is actually also a good mic, but it is very raw-sounding and more difficult to be equalized.