C214s on Ensembles?

WVUtubadude · 30th May 2010

Would a pair of AKG C214s be any good on ensemble recordings of orchestras, bands, or jazz bands? I hear lots of things about them with regards to vocals, piano, and drum overheads, but nothing really in the full ensemble area.

Corran · 30th May 2010

I used a pair of AKG C3000B's as outriggers back when I didn't have much else in terms of mics. They were a little bright, which really helped in distant-mic applications. I thought they sounded pretty good.

I don't know how close the 214's would sound to the C3000B's, but I don't think they'd sound bad. LDC mics have a different sound than SDC's for sure, you might like it or you might not. The nice thing is that you can use them for more traditional LDC duties too, if you need.

I still have the C3000B's, I use them every once in a while when I need a bright-ish mic, like on a dark tenor sax.

However, if you were planning on buying the 214's new, I'd probably spend just a bit more and get a pair of used 414's. Multiple polar patterns are great. I have an AKG C422 stereo LDC that I use all the time, and it sounds great.

WVUtubadude · 30th May 2010

Quote:

Originally Posted by Corran

However, if you were planning on buying the 214's new, I'd probably spend just a bit more and get a pair of used 414's.

B&H has them for half of what Sweetwater has them for....that is the only reason I am considering them.

ghellquist · 31st May 2010

Just remember that the 214 is a very different mic from the 414. For one thing it is a back electret condenser and as such much more similar to the AKG C3000. The 414 is a normal condensor mic. Secondly the 414 is not one mic but a succession of generations of mics with quite different sound signatures. This makes comparison difficult, but I have no problem in accepting that all of them are excellent, but different.

// Gunnar

NorseHorse · 31st May 2010

If the C214 were a cardioid 414, I'd say go for it. Since it isn't, I wouldn't spend your money. You're better off with a pair of AT4040s. It's a "real" condenser, very detailed, and have an excellent off-axis response.

On the flip-side, the AT4033 is an electric condenser, and it sounds very nice. Maybe go that route...

30th May 2010	#1
WVUtubadude Lives for gear Joined: Apr 2009 Location: West Virginia/Pennsylvania Posts: 904 Thread Starter	C214s on Ensembles? Would a pair of AKG C214s be any good on ensemble recordings of orchestras, bands, or jazz bands? I hear lots of things about them with regards to vocals, piano, and drum overheads, but nothing really in the full ensemble area.

30th May 2010	#2
Corran Lives for gear Joined: Dec 2007 Location: South Georgia Posts: 2,929	I used a pair of AKG C3000B's as outriggers back when I didn't have much else in terms of mics. They were a little bright, which really helped in distant-mic applications. I thought they sounded pretty good. I don't know how close the 214's would sound to the C3000B's, but I don't think they'd sound bad. LDC mics have a different sound than SDC's for sure, you might like it or you might not. The nice thing is that you can use them for more traditional LDC duties too, if you need. I still have the C3000B's, I use them every once in a while when I need a bright-ish mic, like on a dark tenor sax. However, if you were planning on buying the 214's new, I'd probably spend just a bit more and get a pair of used 414's. Multiple polar patterns are great. I have an AKG C422 stereo LDC that I use all the time, and it sounds great. __________________ www.oceanstarproductions.com

31st May 2010	#5
NorseHorse Lives for gear Joined: Jul 2008 Location: DC Posts: 2,095 2 Reviews written	If the C214 were a cardioid 414, I'd say go for it. Since it isn't, I wouldn't spend your money. You're better off with a pair of AT4040s. It's a "real" condenser, very detailed, and have an excellent off-axis response. On the flip-side, the AT4033 is an electric condenser, and it sounds very nice. Maybe go that route... __________________ http://www.facebook.com/ArtsLaureate I-95, I-64, I-85

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31st May 2010	#4
ghellquist Gear addict Joined: Jan 2006 Location: Stockholm Sweden Posts: 416	Just remember that the 214 is a very different mic from the 414. For one thing it is a back electret condenser and as such much more similar to the AKG C3000. The 414 is a normal condensor mic. Secondly the 414 is not one mic but a succession of generations of mics with quite different sound signatures. This makes comparison difficult, but I have no problem in accepting that all of them are excellent, but different. // Gunnar