MackieEM-Series, Large-Diaphragm Condenser Microphone (EM-91C)

The media could not be loaded. Update: I have now owned both versions of this mic (USB and XLR). I bought it a 2nd time. See video.I got the EM91C (XLR Version) from Amazon. I recently sold it after 5 months, because I wanted to try another mic and it lost compared to the used AT 2035 I bought, and the Behringer XM8500, which is really what I consider the budget king of mics, if you want something with character for podcasting and gaming. Liking the XM8500, I sold the Mackie and purchased a Behringer SB78A. That mic is also decent for the money, but only if you talk straight into it and de-ess / cut highs. Back to the Mackie....I bought the Mackie after seeing the video review on Podcastage, and it is exactly as expected and reviewed there. Before you buy this mic, look at the spec sheet and know this mic has the highs rolled off compared to other condensers. Because of this, you will find this mic works well for simple long form spoken word, but you'll want to add a low cut (also called high pass) around 100hz, or it will sound muffled or muddy. It is not a good choice for instruments or singers who want a big/wide sound, IMHO. If you want something for music, my suggestion is to spend a bit more for the wider but neutral AT2035 (Which is a step up from the 2020, and doesn't have the 2020's slight excessive high boost) OR spend a little more on the AT4040 (used they are a great buy for the money) which is a studio standard.Bander from Podcastage talked about what instruments he liked and did not like this mic on. If you want a big sound as cheap as possible, skip the cheap condensers and get a Behringer XM8500. Nothing below $100 comes close to it.The Mackie excels at long form spoken word, specifically for those who have overly-sibilant voices (harsh "S's" in speech). I EQ'd the bass to roll off from around 100hz, and it's not required, but I also pulled it down a bit between strategic places at 250 and 500hz . I also brightened the highs maybe 2db from 5,000hz up, but I also feel you don't have to do that unless you want to brighten it more. I like how it handles sibilance. Without EQ, its character borders on dull and a bit overbearing in the lows -- you may not like it 'up close' until you roll off below 100hz. Once you do, the mic's character becomes pleasing. This is a mic which provides a very pleasant long form sound for someone like me -- a teacher looking to create clean vocals for 30 minute teaching videos, so long as I trim those lows below 100hz to balance it out.With the muddy lows removed, this does a better job of keeping room noise out of the mic compared to my "better" mics, and has a forward-sounding mid to low-midrange. More on that, below. Next, as a teacher, I don't have to be right up on this mic face-first, like with what dynamic mics tend to need before they drop volume. I can move around a little.This mic is also a nice kit with a shock mount and mic. There are other mics cheaper than this that sound "OK" but have harsh Chinese-like highs that become annoying, or are just kind of meh (Neewer). There are better mics for $30 more than this (Blue Ember) but they don't provide a shock mount, and you're soon sinking more money into them and find yourself far out of the Mackie's price range. The Neat Worker and King Bee mics, a bit more but in the budget range, also sound very nice, but have a very "different" look to them, and I've seen reviewers complain that noise was getting into those mics from outside sources. I haven't experienced this issue with the Mackie. So for what it is, this mic is an OK value, and very usable if you EQ a fair amount. Would I buy it again? Doubtful. I'd spend less and get the XM8500, or along a more condenser-like style, an AT2020 or 2035.Note that I have a moderately well-treated recording room, with several thick moving blankets covering the walls and laying around. If you cannot pull off a room like this, avoid the larger diaphram condensers and get a dynamic mic like the Behringer xm8500, Samson Q2U or Shure SM58. Or look into that Behringer SB78A, which is a small diaphram condenser in a handheld format (it does well at rejecting noise). Those are excellent, but you will need to get in closer and add a sponge or pop filter.

I'm very happy with the Mackie microphone. It has very good gain and is built very well. It came with a mic holder that fit's properly and a mic cord, so for the price it is a great value. I'm only using it for speech, but the talker comes though very clear. I have no doubt that it would work very well for a singer as well.

This is my first condenser mic and my god, how sensitive they are! I am used to using dynamic mics. I got the mic in and hooked it up to my Vocaster One, kicked in the phantom power and was immediately impressed. Since I am using it for voiceover work, male voice, I love the richness and clarity in my vocal tones when going to a more dramatic or serious voice. There are no knobs to fiddle with so it is as easy to use as plug up and go. It feels like it is built very well and will last. I think this mic fits well for my voice and will keep me going for a while.

The mic is of excellent quality. The sound is wonderful and the input+output as part of the mic is great! The sound quality was praised by all of my friends that I regularly communicate with on Discord. The various polar patterns were well worth the money. Having that option definitely made things really simple.Unfortunately, they are also fragile. A hard enough unplugging of the USB leaves it loose in such a way that you will never get it in straight again. This is a problem with this mic series as a whole, at least based on the two I have tested so far, those being the Chromium Studio listed in this review and the Compact that I had bought before this. Roughly $150 down the drain because of just how loose the USB is. Once, I thought it was just me. But twice? That seems less likely to be a coincidence.Overall, great product and works remarkably well... just as long as you aren't clumsy and don't have a cat to knock it over in just the right way.

- I looked at numerous dynamic mics and once you move past 3 feet, you sound like you are in a drum.- I looked at numerous condenser mics and they were all too sensitive and bright.Almost all mic reviews have someone softly whispering into the mic and calling it singing, some useless spoken word podcasting (eq is always added anyways), and nothing really about how it sounds with an actual trained vocalist singing opera or lieder/classical rep. As a voice student, you try half a dozen mics and end up with stupid money or something that is useless beyond 3 ft. This needs an adapter with it, but it's great.- This replicates the sound of a SM58 and honestly sounds like a dynamic mic when you get loud enough. It sounds like nothing, nothing, useless, is this working? Then you sing at full volume at 5-8 ft from it and it sounds perfect. Almost no background noise, just you and the room you are in.NOTE - it is a solid 4/10 mic as a condenser, and a solid 5/10 mic for podcasting. Still amazing for the price, when a 10/10 is a $400 mic on the same scale. But for solo voice on a budget, it's perfect. Put it 45 degrees to your singing about 5-6 feet away and enjoy.

Nice mic for the price, I connected with my wireless XLR transmitter and works nicely.

The sound is not very bright, and it enhances the bass, but it doesn't sound bad at all. It's a good microphone for what you're paying.

I’ve been using Shure SM48’s & SM58’s for years for my DJ business. But I have a Mackie FXPro mixer, 3 different sets of Mackie speakers, Mackie in ear headphones, and various other Mackie gear, so I thought I’d try this mic out.So far, no complaints. It’s a very clear microphone. I’ve been using it as my main Karaoke mic for the last week. Honestly I might like it more than the SM58’s but I’ll need more testing to be sure.Comes with a sleek carrying pouch, a mic stand adapter, and a decent XLR cable.Another home run for Mackie as far as I’m concerned.My only complaint would be the design.. it sorta looks like a cheap RadioShack mic, but it feels nice in the hand & sounds great.