One mic - what can beat the AKG 414

jamsmith · 12th March 2008, 10:57 PM

Of all the mics I have used, my favorite has been the AKG 414. I first used it on vocals. Our vocalist was a somewhat Geddy Lee-ish type singer. We used a U-47 and a 414 and chose the 414 for about 9 of 12 songs. I have also used it on guitar amps. I can capture delicate nuances of the human voice and the turn around and take the SPL punishment of a 100 Marshall cranked.

I am sure you could name a better mic for any one particular aspect of recording, but assuming you could only buy one model of mic for a complete session, what would you say beats the 414 and why.

deve · 13th March 2008, 12:16 AM

Royer 121. hard to believe but they are brighter in a nice smooth way. They don't have that slight low mid bump that veils the sound a little. And you don't loose that brightness when you move away from the source. They sound more open overall. I used them on drum OH, vox, guitar amps and acoustic guitar, They sounded nice and cool. But if you treat them like I treat my 414's they won't last very long. I haven't tried 121 on strings and horns yet, but from what I hear they will beat 414 in those areas too. I could track a whole session with royers and be very happy indeed.

tINY · 13th March 2008, 12:26 AM

The EV 660 will beat the C414 into little pieces and still work...

-tINY

deve · 13th March 2008, 12:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tINY

The EV 660 will beat the C414 into little pieces and still work...

-tINY

jamsmith · 13th March 2008, 01:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tINY

The EV 660 will beat the C414 into little pieces and still work...

-tINY

Oh, yeah!?!?!? Then the 414s little cousin will come back and kick its ass. (I think I actually did use this for a hammer once or twice.)

theom · 13th March 2008, 02:09 AM

This is a very subjective question.

But saying that, I could do most recordings with a shure ksm 44.

Worth checking out.

Not sure if anything beats a good 414.
My problem is finding a good one.

I had a couple of EB models I did not care for at all.

Eganmedia · 13th March 2008, 02:18 AM

There a re bunch of worthy contenders in the price range. Someone already suggested the Sure KSM. Try the KSM 44. The Audio Technica 4050 is another option. There are lots of others- many cheaper in both build and cost, some much more expensive. If you like the versatility of the 414 and its price, the above two are in the same price/performance league.

macleodgrant · 13th March 2008, 02:51 PM

i often use a AKG 414 for vocals and it's great but my new best friend for vocals has to be the Neumann TLM49 - that is an amazing microphone and better in certain applications than the AKG414

John Willett · 13th March 2008, 02:57 PM

If I had to have just *one* mic. (or a pair), it would have to be the Sennheiser MKH 800.

WBM · 13th March 2008, 03:08 PM

When you say 414 is a TL II, BULS or the new ones , all sound good but different and may be is good mic for the kind of music you doing ?

Try the kiwi real warm sounding mic the royer 121 bright the guitars,
try the old audio technica 4033 real clean open sounding mic.

leaper · 13th March 2008, 03:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jamsmith

assuming you could only buy one model of mic for a complete session, what would you say beats the 414 and why.

Nothing I know of that matches the 414 in this aspect.
Perfect example of a "jack of all trades, master of none"

I would also second John's suggestion: MKH 800. However they are so expensive that I would never have enough courage to put them on toms.. the 414, on the other hand

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12th March 2008, 10:57 PM	#1
jamsmith Lives for gear Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Atlanta, GA Posts: 1,046	One mic - what can beat the AKG 414 Of all the mics I have used, my favorite has been the AKG 414. I first used it on vocals. Our vocalist was a somewhat Geddy Lee-ish type singer. We used a U-47 and a 414 and chose the 414 for about 9 of 12 songs. I have also used it on guitar amps. I can capture delicate nuances of the human voice and the turn around and take the SPL punishment of a 100 Marshall cranked. I am sure you could name a better mic for any one particular aspect of recording, but assuming you could only buy one model of mic for a complete session, what would you say beats the 414 and why. __________________ Screamin' Michael Jamsmith - www.jamsmith.com "You CAN polish a turd, but you just end up with a shiny turd."

13th March 2008, 02:09 AM	#6
theom Gear addict Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Las Vegas Posts: 440	KSM This is a very subjective question. But saying that, I could do most recordings with a shure ksm 44. Worth checking out. Not sure if anything beats a good 414. My problem is finding a good one. I had a couple of EB models I did not care for at all.

13th March 2008, 02:18 AM	#7
Eganmedia Gear maniac Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Burlington, Vermont USA Posts: 225	There a re bunch of worthy contenders in the price range. Someone already suggested the Sure KSM. Try the KSM 44. The Audio Technica 4050 is another option. There are lots of others- many cheaper in both build and cost, some much more expensive. If you like the versatility of the 414 and its price, the above two are in the same price/performance league. __________________ Joe Egan EMP Colchester, VT USA www.eganmedia.com "I feel more like I did when I first got here than I do now."

13th March 2008, 02:57 PM	#9
John Willett Lives for gear Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Oxfordshire, UK Posts: 1,052	If I had to have just one mic. (or a pair), it would have to be the Sennheiser MKH 800. __________________ John President - Fédération Internationale des Chasseurs de Sons (and lots more - please look at my Profile)

13th March 2008, 12:16 AM	#2
deve Lives for gear Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: istanbul TR Posts: 563	Royer 121. hard to believe but they are brighter in a nice smooth way. They don't have that slight low mid bump that veils the sound a little. And you don't loose that brightness when you move away from the source. They sound more open overall. I used them on drum OH, vox, guitar amps and acoustic guitar, They sounded nice and cool. But if you treat them like I treat my 414's they won't last very long. I haven't tried 121 on strings and horns yet, but from what I hear they will beat 414 in those areas too. I could track a whole session with royers and be very happy indeed.

13th March 2008, 12:26 AM	#3
tINY Lives for gear Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Orygun Posts: 6,067	The EV 660 will beat the C414 into little pieces and still work... -tINY

13th March 2008, 02:51 PM	#8
macleodgrant Lives for gear Join Date: May 2007 Location: Dublin Posts: 2,023	i often use a AKG 414 for vocals and it's great but my new best friend for vocals has to be the Neumann TLM49 - that is an amazing microphone and better in certain applications than the AKG414

13th March 2008, 03:08 PM	#10
WBM Gear Head Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Hollywood, Florida Posts: 72	When you say 414 is a TL II, BULS or the new ones , all sound good but different and may be is good mic for the kind of music you doing ? Try the kiwi real warm sounding mic the royer 121 bright the guitars, try the old audio technica 4033 real clean open sounding mic. __________________ JF-WBMASTERING. http://www.wbmastering.com

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