All user reviews for the AKG C 414 B-XL II

The AKG C 414 XL II is a condenser microphone that gives you the choice of 9 different pickup patterns. You will have a pickup pattern choice for each application you may need it for. This microphone is great for over head drum miking and instruments as well as lead vocals. The frequency range is 20 to 20,000 Hz. This microphone does a great job of picking up your instrument or vocals cleanly. You can use this mic for live or studio use because of the polar patterns. The polar patterns are great, the ones that I end up using the most are omnidirectional, hypercardioid, figure eight, and wide cardioids.
This microphone has a standard 3 pin connector making it compatible with basically everything. Using this microphone on an acoustic guitar has really opened my eyes to how much quality I was losing using one of my Shure microphones to record the acoustic guitar with.


OVERALL OPINION

The AKG C414 XL II was a great decision for us, it does cost more than we wanted to spend but after we purchased it we knew that it was going to be a keeper. When you buy this microphone you will get a really nice hard case with it to carry it in, it also comes with a windscreen and mic clip. With it being so versatile, I know understand why so many people love this microphone. I didn’t want to believe that it could be worth this much money but after using it I fully understand why it cost this much. You will not have any feedback problems with this mic and you will not pick up any unwanted noises during a recording or show as long as you use the correct polar pattern. Choosing your pick up pattern will determine everything with this microphone, I do suggest doing some research on pick up patterns so you can have a full understanding on how to use them before you invest in this microphone so you can know if it is something you want to invest in.

Condenser large diaphragm with selector for: low cut (0, 40, 80, 180Hz), attenuation (5, 12, 18 dB) and directional (omni, cardioid, and hypercardio 8). Operates in 48V
I use it for 2 years

OVERALL OPINION

I turn it up and I rediscovered the world chacunes of my shots! Perfect definition! So much so that the microphone picks up fingerprints very well sound recording EVERY scene!

I use it mainly for vocals. And what shocked me is that I have recorded tracks in different places, I was then impossible to put them in the same mix so the difference is striking ambiance. Every detail is captured, without breath. The rendering is very realistic and natural. I also define it as deep and extensive (little difference between long and short shooting distance)

Beware though, for example, when capturing acoustic guitar respiration and the slightest noise room will hear, as long as there have compression and rendering will be more natural. Same with the reverb, for example, if I capture a voice in a room banal, then I compress then adds reverb, the result will be any more natural! Because (reverb of the room + voice) Compressed + reverb that have nothing to do with the first = messy ...

It is essential to have a place or studied acoustics! If this is the case, there will be no limit to your talents engineers! The reverb of the room eliminated, take micro sense. You can work the dynamics of voice and an EQ and reverb to manage then (we can also make the shot more this) and get a result despite a heavy super natural upstream processing. Do not look .. the SEVENTY-called secret is pro productions.

To summarize, this mic is a formula that one does not forgive driver error.

AKG C 414 B-XL II is a recording mic that can be used as well for live performances.
It uses a condenser technology that gives a wide dynamic range and a rich sound.

OVERALL OPINION

The thing that I like most about it is how well it captures the recording, it can be used to record various type of musical instruments and still capture all the overtones, which I find very importantly in terms of mixing and arranging.

Another great features of this product is that it adds some warmth and bite to the vocals that can make a huge difference in some more rocky songs or ballads.
AKG C 414 B-XL II is a pretty expensive mic , it costs around 1000 $ however it can be as well as well by some Pro's or just some amateurs because the manual and the connection with your working soft is pretty easy and fast to manage.

A really unique features that this product has is the multiple patterns which is practically having several different mic's .

Precision and quality of the sound is very high,it has an ncredible Dynamic Range, with a low 6 dB-A self-noise, and a dynamic range of 152 dB.

It has nine switchable pickup patterns, three bass-cut filters and three pad levels to suit any type of sound input.
Peak Hold LEDs illuminate to display overload peaks that is really helpful when you're recording with an vocalist.

It comes with AKG's PF 80 pop filter, foam windscreen, spider-suspension shock mount, and foam-lined aluminum flight case, having said that, with a good preamp you can get a very deep yet pro sound quality.

Knowing what I know, I'm not quite sure if I would buy the mic again because it's quite expensive, however it money isn't a problem, you should check this mic and buy some high quality preamp, that way you can get those great sounds that you've searching for.

This mic provides a top-notch frequency response curve and great sensitivity. It really captures your original source and makes it come alive. This mic is best used for quieter ‘acoustic’ sources, e.g. acoustic guitar, voice, strings and wind instruments. It will capture all the details and nuances of these sources. The user manual contains some good guidelines for using the mic with a lot of different sources. This mic also features some sophisticated electronics. You can choose from nine different pick-up patterns, four different attenuation settings, and four different bass-cut settings.


OVERALL OPINION

The carrying case, pop filter, and shock-mount are all excellent quality. It’s so nice to buy a piece of equipment and get some really high quality useful accessories. If you’re doing voice recording, definitely use the pop filter. They also test every mic and provide you with the actual frequency response of YOUR individual mic! If you are doing stereo recording and you want the best results, you can even buy a ‘matched pair’. They compare the frequency responses and put two mics in the same case that have nearly identical frequency response. If you are looking to mic a guitar amp, you may want to look elsewhere. In fact, I’ve read that you could even damage this mic if it is too close to a loud amp. The sound pressure from a loud amp could make the diaphragm less sensitive. An SM-57 or other dynamic mic would be a better choice for mic’ing an amp. This mic is not cheap, but you get what you pay for. This is a top-quality mic used by professionals all over the world. It is the current evolution of a design going back decades. If you need your sound to be as accurate as possible, this mic is for you. Buy it , its worth every penny.

Electrostatic, omni, cardio large, cardio, hypercardio, 8, 2 cups low-performing.
Flexible aluminum bag + suspension + windshield antipop + + plug-response curve.

OVERALL OPINION

Especially suitable for singing. Excellent microphone. Comparable to U87. Less detail in the transient but more air. Its 2 cups low-adjustable in frequency and attenuation life much easier and allow adjusting the efficient and proper color to correct positioning of the microphone. 2 + 5 directional those low-cut, few microphones offer it at this price. For recordings of acoustic music I put it to the level of U87 and KM84. On acoustic guitar I prefer to U87, but I prefer the KM84. On the piano, I'd say it's a matter of taste, it is less precise and biting as the U87, softer. Say, taking jazz and making classic U87 = C = 414 b II XL, for simplicity. We can put it on anything, it sounds. It is in this line of microphones which do not have to work hard in the sound mix. If the outlet is good there is still ringing through. A bit of compression, that's all. Pre-amp? If you want, it depends on your entries. Personally I have an old pre-amp single transistor Monacor, which only pre-amplifier and nothing else, something to possibly hundred bullets that I use, and again, to 25% of its performance. This is an extremely versatile microphone that character.

Condenser microphone.
I abridge the specs, you'll find anywhere.

The construction is sturdy, the perfect finish.
Lots of possibilities:
- 5 types of directional
- 3 levels of attenuation
- 3 low-cut frequency
In short, it can work! Selection is made by scrolling with silent switches, a green LED indicating the value adopted. The recall is automatic when the microphone back on its settings found! In addition, the LED turns red if the input is saturated (I'm still here! Should be a sax or bass drum!)

Comes with an aluminum case with the addition:
- An anti-Pop (a real one, not a toy)
- A windshield
- The suspension ABSOLUTELY AMAZING ease. We slide the microphone, it is 1 / 4 turn on the large locking ring, and presto! It is!
- The graph of frequency response of your copy of micro ... Class!
- The usual paperwork

OVERALL OPINION

I had a Behringer B2pro, which I found while being properly aggressive when we face it: I now know that there are actual holes in the frequency of the microwave, especially in the low mids! A real cheese!

The 414 is the slap! Everything is beautiful, the sounds of the room are immediately identifiable, as with his ears! The sound is extremely loyal. This cash levels incredible momentum, I have not been able to do so saturated with the voice! The sound is warm, very musical, soft, very natural ...

If you have a budget of 2000-3000 Auros for your home studio, DO NOT DECON: put 800 euros into the microphone, quite simply temporarily to a kind Blue-Tube preamp, it will anyway! DO NOT BUTTS ON THE MIC is 50% of her! As I regret having taken years to understand that! What lost time!

Do not listen to advice that you explain that to 200 euros Chinese micro approaches a C414, or even a = TLM103 is wrong, wrong, wrong!
With such a microphone, your voice (or guitar, or other ...) is true, the Equal become anecdotal, the mix is ​​no problem!

New version of C414B Thiers:
5th directivity (hypercardiode) in addition to the usual 4: omni, cardio, hypercardio in eight.
Attnuateur more practical-6dB,-12dB,-18dB.
Low-cut filter more flexible: 40Hz or 80Hz (12dB/oct) or 160Hz (6dB/oct)
SPL max permissible still lev (140dB), and a self-noise (6dBA, DIN45-412) adapted to all numrique (dynamic> 134dB)
Each switch position is indicated by a diode dsormais
Accentuation of prsence apprciable catch of his distant and / or extra shine ncessitant voice, brass, piano jazz, big orchestras, ...
Comes in carrying case mtal with spider type suspension, foam windscreen and pop filter

OVERALL OPINION

This is a micro vritable favorite!
Not only is it full trs (5 directivity, low-cut filter and attnuateur) but it also possde characters and a non-standard quality especially considering its price!
The 414 XLII is both soft and warm as vintage prcis! It's really hard not to default and it will always find its place when taking the toughest.

Probably one of the best purchases I've done for my homestudio. I recommend it!

See below!
Everyone seems to agree that this sounds quite XL SERIES diffrent old or ULS TL SERIES
These ULS and TL sries taient dj rputes trs diffrentse of sries Previous.
Therefore try this mic before you buy, and not to rely on reputable acquired by the legendary 414 70s.

OVERALL OPINION

Micro trs powerful, capable of good and bad depending on the nature of the source and context of the socket.

Trs unsuited for use in amateur home studio, it is hyper sensitive the acoustics of the space: if the pice rsons do not Manir music, the quality of recorded sound normment will suffer. And if the pice is not isolated, the 414 will capture the remarkable precision of focus with a tap in the bath the gote upstairs neighbor (j'exagre only ))
The 414 does not "repisse" not: it pntre in the acoustic space that he proposes! It is insightful particulirement catch o background he is able to reproduce a soundscape with lots of dtails and spades.

It requires a microphone with musical instruments: a folk guitar a bit "basic" risk of sounding trs trs "basic". It takes care of all fawn placement: we can very easy dnaturer the original sound by putting the emphasis is not o dsirable. But with a little patience (or mtier) we get a rsultat that magnifies the best instruments.

It is a micro particulirement dlicat use of the song: a password or a snack!
It goes better on a voice fminine who will benefit from this bump in the bass, the low mids, and treble relatively mild. Although .... It has complicated the t trs-making voice of a singer, yet with a good vocal technique trs (and broken the song into a microphone). The effect of proximity is difficult particulirement grate by using the same combination of multiple low-cut: the right distance between the mouth and the microphone is almost the RULES centimtre prs. SETTING THE Ditto for the height and angle of the capsule from mouth: the singer must be extremely disciplined in its investment.
There even when a psycho-rigid characters lgrement this micro

It also requires TRS with the rest of the string sound: it has made it much too hard, too smooth preamps with basic audio interfaces. The 414 gives a lot of grain to grind prampli that follows.
Coupled the Universal Audio Solo610 (see https://preampli-lampes.universal-audio.audiofanzine.com/produits/avis/index, ProductID, 72839.html ( https://preampli-lampes.universal-audio.audiofanzine.com/produits/avis/index,idproduit,72839.html ) ) will be reached "to crmer" the very texture s dense, this relaxed Contents sound extremely rigid base. This will be perfect for a big sound "in your face" with the grain, harmonics, warmth, life ....
Transparency, lgret it's really not his thing on decision-proximity is when a microphone that same lack of air in the polarity farms. It manages some 8 mode, Omni or condition to put a little distance and a bnficier rsonance that is bright and musical.

Obviously, the price is for a micro allchant of references (or mythical), but investment in quality of a preamp is required.

If the 414 is a natural part of the arsenal of the professional, it's not - I think the microphone first-choice homestudio amateur ... unless you know exactly what can be learned, and our answer to these requirements.
For the recording of voice (mine anyway), I prfre clearly the Tbone SCT2000 which is much more Tolra and well suited for use in home studio.

A good microphone singing, delivered in his briefcase with redesigned suspension H85 (formerly H100), there is a plastic case containing the layout of its staff and the doc micro AKG, a pop shield and windshield (such as Neumann takes! !)
in terms of sound, it's very convincing, the sound is very different from the previous series, output level higher SPL and excellent background. 3KHz the typical micro tube is very nice here, and all without tube! very quiet.
That said, I am often a little the effect of KM184 in the minutes of the dynamics of the signal, ie, unstable, quickly mess on a piano, not always convincing in singing, it is very good at generating dynamic signals rather narrow, somewhat the opposite of a C414 ULS, although here I'm talking about 414 more BXLII derived from Thiers,

OVERALL OPINION

One of the best Q / P
a great tool for the price!

compared with a TLM170 or U87 (the TLM 170 is to my taste above)
the BXLII does not always give satisfaction, notte on stage or on a piano, Shure KSM137 do better example for my taste, for once a little rigid, less versatile but also less accurate than Neumann TLM170 is!
it's not for me "LE" microphone, but it is a good tool.
Arnaud Houpert
Sound Technician

Usage: Studio miking acoustic guitar and lead vocals (fminin and male).

OVERALL OPINION

I use it for about 2 years.
This is an excellent microphone but not easy to use for beginners.
It is demanding trs on 3 levels:
- The acoustics of the studio (and home studio is not always a. ..)
- The distance from the mouth of the singer (the singer must be trs discipline)
- The associated pramp (I use a personal UA 6176 Channel Strip and it's perfect!)

This is not the micro IDAL (also a no) but it's a great product.
Note his little brother (C214), which offers less possibility of Contents directivity in particular, but cheaper. For a home studio, may do it too.

The AKG C 414 B-XL II is a condenser microphone used primarily in the recording studio. I'm sure it can be used on stage as well but since it is rather fragile I have never tried to use it in such a setting. It is definitley designed for the studio and works great on all sorts of instruments and applications. It has a five settings in its switchable polar pattern section including omni, figure 8, and cardioid. This variable polar pattern setting makes it a versatile mic that can be used in a number of different situations. It's small size also makes it easy to place and to angle it exactly the way you want to put it.

OVERALL OPINION

I've been using AKG 414s for about three or four years. This is the model of the AKG 414 that I have used extensively, but I have used a few different versions of the 414. This mic is one of my favorite all around microphones as it sounds great on everything from violin to acoustic guitars and vocals. Its variable polar pattern also makes it a great all around microphone because of its ability to capture sound from a number of different perspectives. The sound quality of this microphone is true to source and the mid range and high end come in very well. It has an overall full sounding tone to it. While I use it mostly on acoustic guitar, violin, mandolin and hi hat, I also like the sound of it on certain types of vocals. The price is very reasonable for such a great sounding mic that can be used in so many different situations. The AKG is one of my favorite overall mics and it comes with a price tag that is minimal in comparison to some mics that just don't sound as good.

This mic is really nice. It has a ton of features and goodies that come with it to sweeten the deal when this mic is worth the price you pay for it based on the sound quality alone. It is a large diaphragm condenser mic that is definitely meant to live in the studio, but I have seen a bunch of them used at high end live venues where they have nice microphone setups. They are commonly used as either drum over heads or has a hi-hat mic live, and I actually use them for the same thing in the studio. These can also sound fantastic on the right vocalist for lead vocals. It is a condenser so keep in mind you will need to power this mic with 48V. The mic comes in a rock solid metal case with a bunch of goodies inside. It comes with a velvet sleeve, a nice shock mount, and a windscreen foam cap which is really useful if you are recording something outside with this mic. The mic itself has a lot of great features. One of the most unique things about this mic is how much you can adjust the polar pattern. You have five options for the capsule. You can use a standard cardioid pickup, a hyper cardioid pickup which is a very focused and tight cardioid, and there is also a wide cardioid which includes a lot more of the sides of the mic, but still rejects most of what is behind it. You can also use this mic in figure 8 mode and in omni mode. The mic has a pad filter with three different positions to really hone in on your gain staging. There is also a bass cut filter which does a great job at getting rid of low rumble.

OVERALL OPINION

It is really hard to come up with ways to criticize this mic. I have used this on a lot of things, from a cello to a lead vocalist to a hi hat and depending on the instrument or singer it can sound fantastic. The highs from this mic really sizzle, making it one of my favorites for overheads and hi hat. The price on this mic is a little high for most people, but this is one of the most versatile and trustworthy mics that you can buy. You'll never want to get rid of it once you have one. It's a really good mic.