AKG C214

Reviews | AKG C214
102
D
esigned, engineered and
built in Vienna, Austria,
AKG microphones have had
an enviable reputation for
technical excellence ever since the
company was established more than
60 years ago. These days, the company
is starting to pay more attention to
what their customers want in other
areas – so the designs are looking
sexier, lots of accessories are supplied
with the microphones, and the
technical features are continually being
improved by the Austrian experts.
The new C214 large diaphragm,
side-fire condenser microphone is very
reasonably priced compared with its
competitors. It has just one pickup
pattern – cardioid – but it comes
complete with a spider suspension
mount and a foam windscreen all
neatly packaged in a metal carrying
case – ideal for taking out on the road.
And you don’t have to pay out extra for
these items – most of which you are
going to want.
Technically, it uses a 1” edge-
terminated large diaphragm capsule
that delivers a highly detailed, up-front
sound – and it can handle an
incredible 143dB dynamic range –
accurately capturing transient details.
It also features an integrated capsule
suspension that reduces mechanical
noise and resonances – further
improving sonic accuracy.
The all-metal die-cast body
provides a high degree of RF-immunity
and has a shock- and scratch-resistant
matte grayish-blue finish with a rugged
double mesh grille to protect the
capsule. The C214 has incredibly low
self-noise, at just 13dB(A), along with
very high headroom, and will work with
phantom power sources ranging
between 12 and 52V.
Removing the rumble
Switching in the microphone’s 160Hz
bass rolloff filter helps to remove
unwanted low-frequency rumble (due
to floor vibrations, handling noise or
whatever) without unduly affecting the
sound of most recorded voices or
instruments. Using this filter also
minimises the proximity effect that you
get when close-miking sources from
less than six inches.
Also, by switching in the pre-
attenuation pad, you can increase the
microphone’s headroom by 20dB when
you are recording very loud sound
sources such as drum kits, guitar amps
or trumpets, thus preventing the
microphone’s output from overloading
the input of the mic preamplifier.
Horses for courses
The C214 works well with vocals and
speech, piano and organ, acoustic and
electric guitars, although not quite as
well with electric bass. It is
recommended for recording strings,
such as double bass, violin or cello.
And it also works well on drums –
particularly for overheads.
The frequency response curve is flat
from 60Hz up to 1kHz, giving it a very
accurate and solid bottom end. It dips
between 1kHz and 2.5kHz, down by a
couple of dB at 2kHz, helping to
prevent electric guitars from sounding
too shrill, for instance, before rising
again. This ‘wiggle’ in the response is
mirrored by a lift between 2.5 to 5kHz,
up by a couple of dB at about 3.5kHz
before falling back, which helps to
make sure that instruments don’t
sound too ‘dull’. Then, there is a
steady rise in the response between
5.5kHz and 13kHz, giving a strong
‘presence’ lift to vocal and
instrumental recordings.
In action, the C214 sounds
extremely similar to the C414, but I
found myself preferring the C214 for
electric guitar – it has a slightly
‘punchier’ sound. So, if you are on a
budget, but prepared to spend a
reasonable amount on a general-
purpose studio microphone, the C214
makes an excellent choice.
WHAT is iT?
A large diaphragm
cardioid condenser
microphone, suitable for
studio or stage use.
ConTACT
Who: Sound Technology
Tel: [phone]
Web: soundtech.co.uk/akg
HiGHLiGHTs
1 Easy-to-use
2 Maximum SPL capability
with minimum noise
3 Matte grayish blue finish
AKG C214 | £450
Looking for a good all-rounder studio microphone?
Mike Collins recommends AKG’s latest offering
VERDiCT
BUILD
❚❚❚❚❚❚❚❚❚❚
VALUE
❚❚❚❚❚❚❚❚
EASE OF USE
❚❚❚❚❚❚❚❚❚❚
VERSATILITY
❚❚❚❚❚❚❚
RESULTS
❚❚❚❚❚❚❚❚
The C214 is a solid performer in
the studio for recording
instruments of most types.
spECs
Directional pattern:
Cardioid
Frequency range: 20Hz ~
20,000Hz
High Pass Filter: 160Hz,
6dB/Octave, switchable
Preattenuation pad:
0/-20dB (switchable)
Sensitivity: 20mV/Pa
(-34 dBV)
Equivalent noise: 13dB-A
to IEC 60268-4
(A-weighted)
Dynamic range: 123/143dB
(0/-20dB) (A-weighted)
Maximum SPL: 136/156dB
SPL (0/-20dB) (for 0.5%
THD)
Signal/Noise:
(A-weighted) 81dB
Weight:
280g
FMU205.rev_akg 102 14/8/08 2:53:54 pm