Thought on AKG C 414 XL II?

captshiznit · 3rd February 2012

Thinking of getting a more high end microphone, wanted some opinions first on this mic of anyone who uses it.

Also what preamp do you think would be good to go with this mic. Will be recording male vocals + acoustic guitars etc. Or would there be a better mic choice in a similar price zone?

Myles83 · 4th February 2012

Any 414 is petty flexible and sounds fine on AC GTRS and possibly a male singer (everyones different).

My main hang up with the XL II version is that +48v has to be present for the LEDs to illuminate showing the switch position of the pad, roll-off and polarity. This means a second trip into the tracking rm just to see how the mic switches are set. I have an XLII, (2) TL II, and (2) ULS. I prefer the ULS model. Overall a 414 is a great utility mic, generally not my first choice on many things but totally usable on a lot of sources.

captshiznit · 4th February 2012

Quote:

Originally Posted by Myles83

Any 414 is petty flexible and sounds fine on AC GTRS and possibly a male singer (everyones different).

My main hang up with the XL II version is that +48v has to be present for the LEDs to illuminate showing the switch position of the pad, roll-off and polarity. This means a second trip into the tracking rm just to see how the mic switches are set. I have an XLII, (2) TL II, and (2) ULS. I prefer the ULS model. Overall a 414 is a great utility mic, generally not my first choice on many things but totally usable on a lot of sources.

Hi thanks for the opinion.

waxx · 4th February 2012

I don't like this version because of the fact that there is a presence boost, the XLS is by far the better version made today for me. It gives a better less essy sound wich fits better in my book. But if it's that that you're after, it fit your plan...

binarymilton · 4th February 2012

I don't find it 'essy' at all. In fact, I actually prefer it to the XLS, which I find can be a bit chesty/cloudy on vocals. The XLii, I find, gives a bit more clarity.

That might be because I usually position mics either below or above the mouth, though.

Just to break with convention even further, I'm not a huge fan of it on acoustic guitar (whether XLS or XLii). I find it a bit too soft. Prefer C451B, or AT4047, or AT4033.

captshiznit · 9th February 2012

Awesome, looking for more opinions though / other alternatives I should maybe consider. Anymore anybody shoot away!

Ward Pike · 9th February 2012

Quote:

Originally Posted by waxx

I don't like this version because of the fact that there is a presence boost, the XLS is by far the better version made today for me. It gives a better less essy sound wich fits better in my book. But if it's that that you're after, it fit your plan...

Waxx is correct: The xls model sounds very little like an actual C414

captshiznit · 13th February 2012

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ward Pike

Waxx is correct: The xls model sounds very little like an actual C414

Cheers, I'll bear that in mind.

warhead · 15th February 2012

We have the C414 XLS, XLII and the cardioid only C214 in our Clipalator, and our "control mic" used in every session is an original B-ULS 414. That will help you discern some tonal differences anyhow between these models...and I think our clips will support the main responses you've been getting here already.

It doesn't hurt that at the time of this writing though, there are maybe another 170 microphones side by side in there as well for more context.

War

captshiznit · 3rd March 2012

Quote:

Originally Posted by warhead

We have the C414 XLS, XLII and the cardioid only C214 in our Clipalator, and our "control mic" used in every session is an original B-ULS 414. That will help you discern some tonal differences anyhow between these models...and I think our clips will support the main responses you've been getting here already.

It doesn't hurt that at the time of this writing though, there are maybe another 170 microphones side by side in there as well for more context.

War

Cheers, thanks for the input.

Definitely will check out your website! looks useful as hell

essessbe · 3rd March 2012

am i correct in assuming that you are primarily getting this to record yourself? like with any mic, i would suggest trying it out and seeing if you like it. i just finished recording a group that had two vocalists which split the duties on a per song basis. one of them sounded amazing with the 414, the other sounded terrible....it really just depends.

Jimbo · 3rd March 2012

Owned the XLii. Tried to love it, but it just wasn't there. Muffled in the lows, and a bit strident on top. Can work well with female vox though.

I compared it to the XLS. I liked the XLS even less. Too soft for my tastes. Just sounds flat and muffled.

Neither one has the crisp sound of the older models.

There so many more mics out there that represent better value.

Good luck,
Jim

TonyD · 3rd March 2012

I struggle to find a use for an XLii. Like many others, the presence boost it has tends to make it sound very hard, brittle and thin to my ears.

3rd February 2012	#1
captshiznit Gear maniac Joined: Dec 2011 Posts: 188 Thread Starter	Thought on AKG C 414 XL II? Thinking of getting a more high end microphone, wanted some opinions first on this mic of anyone who uses it. Also what preamp do you think would be good to go with this mic. Will be recording male vocals + acoustic guitars etc. Or would there be a better mic choice in a similar price zone?

15th February 2012	#9
warhead Jai guru deva om Joined: Feb 2003 Location: South Carolina Posts: 12,253	We have the C414 XLS, XLII and the cardioid only C214 in our Clipalator, and our "control mic" used in every session is an original B-ULS 414. That will help you discern some tonal differences anyhow between these models...and I think our clips will support the main responses you've been getting here already. It doesn't hurt that at the time of this writing though, there are maybe another 170 microphones side by side in there as well for more context. War __________________ Warren Dent, Owner - ZenPro Audio: Gear Now & Zen

3rd March 2012	#12
Jimbo Lives for gear Joined: Oct 2005 Location: Pennsylvania Posts: 2,519	Pass Owned the XLii. Tried to love it, but it just wasn't there. Muffled in the lows, and a bit strident on top. Can work well with female vox though. I compared it to the XLS. I liked the XLS even less. Too soft for my tastes. Just sounds flat and muffled. Neither one has the crisp sound of the older models. There so many more mics out there that represent better value. Good luck, Jim __________________ Last edited by Jimbo; 3rd March 2012 at 07:25 PM.. Reason: del comment

3rd March 2012	#13
TonyD Electron shuffler Joined: Nov 2007 Location: Liverpool, UK Posts: 150 2 Reviews written	I struggle to find a use for an XLii. Like many others, the presence boost it has tends to make it sound very hard, brittle and thin to my ears. __________________ http://www.tonydrapermusic.com

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4th February 2012	#2
Myles83 Gear Head Joined: Dec 2010 Location: Brooklyn Posts: 60	Any 414 is petty flexible and sounds fine on AC GTRS and possibly a male singer (everyones different). My main hang up with the XL II version is that +48v has to be present for the LEDs to illuminate showing the switch position of the pad, roll-off and polarity. This means a second trip into the tracking rm just to see how the mic switches are set. I have an XLII, (2) TL II, and (2) ULS. I prefer the ULS model. Overall a 414 is a great utility mic, generally not my first choice on many things but totally usable on a lot of sources.

4th February 2012	#5
binarymilton Lives for gear Joined: Feb 2010 Location: London Posts: 1,389	I don't find it 'essy' at all. In fact, I actually prefer it to the XLS, which I find can be a bit chesty/cloudy on vocals. The XLii, I find, gives a bit more clarity. That might be because I usually position mics either below or above the mouth, though. Just to break with convention even further, I'm not a huge fan of it on acoustic guitar (whether XLS or XLii). I find it a bit too soft. Prefer C451B, or AT4047, or AT4033.

9th February 2012	#6
captshiznit Gear maniac Joined: Dec 2011 Posts: 188 Thread Starter	Awesome, looking for more opinions though / other alternatives I should maybe consider. Anymore anybody shoot away!

3rd March 2012	#11
essessbe Gear Head Joined: May 2010 Location: austin, tx Posts: 50	am i correct in assuming that you are primarily getting this to record yourself? like with any mic, i would suggest trying it out and seeing if you like it. i just finished recording a group that had two vocalists which split the duties on a per song basis. one of them sounded amazing with the 414, the other sounded terrible....it really just depends.

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