Apogee MiCFrom real comments

Verdict distilled from 32 mentions across 11 aspects in comments under product review videos.

Positive sentiment54%
PROS 54%
CONS 46%

Rank based on 32 mentions across 11 aspects

View the verdict as

Buy this if...

  • You want studio-quality recording directly into an iPhone, iPad or Mac without an interface
  • You record acoustic guitar, vocals or podcasts and value portability and simple setup
  • You're an Apple ecosystem user who wants a reliable, durable mic for years of use

What users love

Skip this if...

  • You're on a tight budget, since $230 feels steep to many for what you get
  • You need a complete out-of-box kit with pop filter, shock mount and clear instructions
  • You rely heavily on GarageBand for iOS, where gain-reset buzzing and static have been reported

What users complain about

Compare in seconds

Based on user comments

Best choice
1Premium
Lewitt MTP W950
Studio-quality vocal soundMinimal monitor and drum bleedTrusted for regular gig useDistracting large logoHigh price tag
Lewitt MTP W950
Studio-quality vocal sound
Minimal monitor and drum bleed
Trusted for regular gig use
Distracting large logo
High price tag
2Premium
Sennheiser MKH 8040
High Owner SatisfactionExceptional Sound ClarityGreat for Field RecordingHigh PriceNot Omnidirectional / More MuffledUltrasonic Self-Noise & Wind Rumble
Sennheiser MKH 8040
High Owner Satisfaction
Exceptional Sound Clarity
Great for Field Recording
High Price
Not Omnidirectional / More Muffled
Ultrasonic Self-Noise & Wind Rumble
3Premium
Sennheiser AVX
Reliable, plug-and-play operationClean, distortion-free audioSolid build quality
Sennheiser AVX
Reliable, plug-and-play operation
Clean, distortion-free audio
Solid build quality
4Premium
Lewitt LCT 640
Post-recording pattern flexibilityVersatile across instrumentsStrong, non-boomy low endPrice barrier for some buyersUnclear M/S and connector design questionsLacking low-mid presence on some vocals
Lewitt LCT 640
Post-recording pattern flexibility
Versatile across instruments
Strong, non-boomy low end
Price barrier for some buyers
Unclear M/S and connector design questions
Lacking low-mid presence on some vocals
5Mid
sE Electronics DynaCaster
Strong overall sound qualityVersatile onboard EQ switchesBuilt-in gain boostHigh price for some buyersUncertain added value over existing setupFiddly dip switches
sE Electronics DynaCaster
Strong overall sound quality
Versatile onboard EQ switches
Built-in gain boost
High price for some buyers
Uncertain added value over existing setup
Fiddly dip switches
6Mid
Shure Beta 57A
Smoother, clearer vocal sound than SM58/SM57Excellent on acoustic guitarDurable, long-lasting buildCan sound harsh in some applicationsAppearance not universally likedInconsistent noise rejection vs SM57
Shure Beta 57A
Smoother, clearer vocal sound than SM58/SM57
Excellent on acoustic guitar
Durable, long-lasting build
Can sound harsh in some applications
Appearance not universally liked
Inconsistent noise rejection vs SM57
7Mid
Sennheiser MD 441
Excellent sound on drums and vocalsStriking, attractive designRecognizable, notable reputation
Sennheiser MD 441
Excellent sound on drums and vocals
Striking, attractive design
Recognizable, notable reputation
8Premium
Telefunken ELA M 251
Smooth, warm characterCompetitive with top-tier micsFull-bodied, rich low endHard to distinguish from cheaper alternativesVery high pricePositioning-sensitive
Telefunken ELA M 251
Smooth, warm character
Competitive with top-tier mics
Full-bodied, rich low end
Hard to distinguish from cheaper alternatives
Very high price
Positioning-sensitive
9Premium
MXL V69M
Rivals the Neumann U67Warm, creamy tube toneAttractive appearance
MXL V69M
Rivals the Neumann U67
Warm, creamy tube tone
Attractive appearance
Best value
10Mid
Neumann TLM 193
Natural, unhyped tonePreferred over U87ai in blind testsLow sibilance / smooth highsAudible distortion noted at price pointCan sound muddy or bass-heavyCardioid-only, unlike multi-pattern siblings
Neumann TLM 193
Natural, unhyped tone
Preferred over U87ai in blind tests
Low sibilance / smooth highs
Audible distortion noted at price point
Can sound muddy or bass-heavy
Cardioid-only, unlike multi-pattern siblings
You are here
31Premium
Apogee MiC
Studio-quality soundDurable, well-built constructionSimple plug-and-play with Apple devicesHigh price for what you getHissing or static noise with certain settings/devicesGarageBand iOS buzzing and gain reset issues
Apogee MiC
Studio-quality sound
Durable, well-built construction
Simple plug-and-play with Apple devices
High price for what you get
Hissing or static noise with certain settings/devices
GarageBand iOS buzzing and gain reset issues

Who wins on what

Ranked by what users actually praise

Overall Impression

Sound quality that punches above its size. Multiple users describe the MiC as delivering surprisingly professional results for such a compact, portable device, with recordings praised as sounding better than some professional studio output. Owners have used it successfully for podcasts, YouTube covers, and pro music releases, calling it well made and simple to use. Even skeptics who tested it against pricier interfaces found it held its own once dialed in properly.

Price and bundled accessories draw frequent criticism. Several commenters call the roughly $230 price steep, comparing it unfavorably to cheaper alternatives and saying it doesn't sound like a $230 mic to their ears. One reviewer specifically points out there's no pop filter foam included and a cheap stand without a shock mount, and another suggests the packaging itself should be better for the price. This makes it a recurring sticking point even among otherwise positive reviews.

iOS software quirks frustrate some GarageBand users. A cluster of comments describe a 'waking up' buzz or clicking sound when switching apps on iPad, caused by the mic entering power-save mode between uses, along with reports of hissing noise when compression settings are engaged and gain levels resetting unexpectedly between sessions. These issues seem most pronounced specifically within mobile GarageBand rather than other software, leading a few users to second-guess their purchase for that use case.

Outdated / Not-accurate data?