Best 'cheap' substitute for 414

jeronimo · 28th January 2006

Today I just tracked drums with a pair of AKG 414B-ULS into my Sytek MPX4 BB channels on the overheads.
I usualy have my old Audio Technica 3525 on that position, but after today, I´m really looking foward to use them on something else...
I was really impressed on how the 414s made my drums soung bigger and more alive.
So now, I want a pair of 414s but I don´t have the cash... what do you guys suggest?

MadGuitrst · 28th January 2006

Save your money until you do......seriously.

jeronimo · 28th January 2006

I knew someone was going to say this

woofhead · 28th January 2006

Hi,

I have a couple of CAD m179's and LOVE them.Very quiet, high quality and detailed sound reproduction with fast transient response and little to no colouration.About $180 apiece and shock for about $25.I want more!Better than some 414's but perhaps slightly slightly not as good as thos 414-XL's or whatever that recent version they came out with.Good luck,

Mike

MadGuitrst · 28th January 2006

Sorry, but I don't know of a cheaper alternative that is close to that mic for that application/

Although not sounding the same, how about
KSM44
AT4050
Studio Projects B3 (don't laugh, they are good all purpose mics)

Actually, if your budget is really tight, I'd say the B3s would be a good way to go.
The problem with this advice is that either you'll tink I'm being an arse, or someone will flame them and possibly make you think the stink.
And remember, I am in no way syaing they are as good as 414s, they're not.

sdelsolray · 28th January 2006

ADK TL

r0ck1r0ck2 · 28th January 2006

2nd the m179..got mine for $150...
good news soo far
.especially on beater side of kik...
GodDamn that slams

RobR · 29th January 2006

B3.

jeronimo · 30th January 2006

Have anyone heard those ADK Vienna?
Or the ShinyBox 43 with Cinemag trannies?

slowdive · 30th January 2006

Quote:

Originally Posted by jeronimo

Have anyone heard those ADK Vienna?
Or the ShinyBox 43 with Cinemag trannies?

again, you should really save your money until you can afford the 414s you want. put off the urge to buy new mics until you can afford what you really want to have...

the_image · 30th January 2006

2 Crown Soundgrabber II pzm's. You may be embarrased by the 1/4 inch jacks, or the cheap price, but put them up and don't look back. I would use them in preference to 414's in many instances.

ddageek · 30th January 2006

a used pair of 414s save do it right!

ozraves · 1st February 2006

I'd suggest AT4040.

MASSIVE Master · 1st February 2006

Ever since I grabbed a pair of M-Audio's Solaris mics, the 414's haven't come out unless the Solarises (Solari?) were already being used.

No, I'm not kidding.

cdog · 1st February 2006

You can get a pair of Shure KSM32s used on ebay for $600.

apdv1 · 1st February 2006

If you like the 414's, save and get a pair of them you can't go wrong
For a subbstitute the C 3000 aint too bad.

vixapphire · 2nd February 2006

I'll join the chorus and say save for a pair of nice used 414's. Alternatively, you may wish to consider the AT 40xx mic's. I've got 4033's that compare well (to my ears) with the 414's that I too cannot afford.

Dot · 3rd February 2006

SP B1
AT 4040
ADK TL
Red5 Audio RV8
Shure KSM32

Any of those mics will do a great job on OH's, and are in the same neutral sonic family as 414's. They'd all fall into that "workhorse" category, and work well on many applications.

If you definitely want multi-pattern mics....

AT4050
Red5 Audio RV10
ADK TL
Shure KSM44

28th January 2006	#1
jeronimo Lives for gear Joined: Jun 2002 Location: Montreal, QC Posts: 3,228 Thread Starter 1 Review written	Best 'cheap' substitute for 414 Today I just tracked drums with a pair of AKG 414B-ULS into my Sytek MPX4 BB channels on the overheads. I usualy have my old Audio Technica 3525 on that position, but after today, I´m really looking foward to use them on something else... I was really impressed on how the 414s made my drums soung bigger and more alive. So now, I want a pair of 414s but I don´t have the cash... what do you guys suggest? __________________ Think Diferente! http://www.jeracravo.com

28th January 2006	#5
MadGuitrst Lives for gear Joined: Oct 2002 Location: regional man of mystery Posts: 1,021	Sorry, but I don't know of a cheaper alternative that is close to that mic for that application/ Although not sounding the same, how about KSM44 AT4050 Studio Projects B3 (don't laugh, they are good all purpose mics) Actually, if your budget is really tight, I'd say the B3s would be a good way to go. The problem with this advice is that either you'll tink I'm being an arse, or someone will flame them and possibly make you think the stink. And remember, I am in no way syaing they are as good as 414s, they're not. __________________ The Madguitrst has left the building.......but not before commiting acts designed to offend the senses.

1st February 2006	#14
MASSIVE Master Lives for gear Joined: Mar 2004 Location: Chicago (Schaumburg / Hoffman Est.) IL Posts: 2,709	Ever since I grabbed a pair of M-Audio's Solaris mics, the 414's haven't come out unless the Solarises (Solari?) were already being used. No, I'm not kidding. __________________ John Scrip - Massive Mastering, LLC - www.massivemastering.com Spoon-feed a newb some answer and he'll mix for a day - Get him to think about it and figure it out for himself and he'll mix for a lifetime --- JS

3rd February 2006	#18
Dot Lives for gear Joined: Nov 2002 Location: on the beach in warm, sunny SC Posts: 872	SP B1 AT 4040 ADK TL Red5 Audio RV8 Shure KSM32 Any of those mics will do a great job on OH's, and are in the same neutral sonic family as 414's. They'd all fall into that "workhorse" category, and work well on many applications. If you definitely want multi-pattern mics.... AT4050 Red5 Audio RV10 ADK TL Shure KSM44 __________________ Dan Richards Yackin' about gear and recording techniques at http://studioforums.com

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28th January 2006	#4
woofhead Gear Head Joined: Apr 2004 Posts: 71 1 Review written	Hi, I have a couple of CAD m179's and LOVE them.Very quiet, high quality and detailed sound reproduction with fast transient response and little to no colouration.About $180 apiece and shock for about $25.I want more!Better than some 414's but perhaps slightly slightly not as good as thos 414-XL's or whatever that recent version they came out with.Good luck, Mike

28th January 2006	#6
sdelsolray Lives for gear Joined: Oct 2003 Location: Portland, OR Posts: 568	ADK TL

28th January 2006	#7
r0ck1r0ck2 Lives for gear Joined: Jul 2005 Location: Barcelona!! Posts: 1,618	2nd the m179..got mine for $150... good news soo far .especially on beater side of kik... GodDamn that slams

29th January 2006	#8
RobR Gear addict Joined: Jan 2006 Posts: 446	B3.

30th January 2006	#9
jeronimo Lives for gear Joined: Jun 2002 Location: Montreal, QC Posts: 3,228 Thread Starter 1 Review written	Have anyone heard those ADK Vienna? Or the ShinyBox 43 with Cinemag trannies?

30th January 2006	#11
the_image Gear interested Joined: Jan 2006 Posts: 8	2 Crown Soundgrabber II pzm's. You may be embarrased by the 1/4 inch jacks, or the cheap price, but put them up and don't look back. I would use them in preference to 414's in many instances.

30th January 2006	#12
ddageek Lives for gear Joined: Nov 2005 Location: Kansas City Posts: 2,673	a used pair of 414s save do it right!

1st February 2006	#13
ozraves Lives for gear Joined: Jan 2003 Posts: 1,124	I'd suggest AT4040.

1st February 2006	#15
cdog Lives for gear Joined: Dec 2003 Location: Brooklyn Posts: 3,559 3 Reviews written	You can get a pair of Shure KSM32s used on ebay for $600.

1st February 2006	#16
apdv1 Gear nut Joined: Jan 2006 Posts: 88	If you like the 414's, save and get a pair of them you can't go wrong For a subbstitute the C 3000 aint too bad.

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2nd February 2006	#17
vixapphire Lives for gear Joined: Jan 2006 Posts: 2,493	I'll join the chorus and say save for a pair of nice used 414's. Alternatively, you may wish to consider the AT 40xx mic's. I've got 4033's that compare well (to my ears) with the 414's that I too cannot afford.