Is my AKG C414 broken?

[Matt Grabe]

Yesterday while setting up room mics (a pair of AKG C414B-XLS in X/Y fashion) on a drum kit, I noticed one side was much louder than the other. I battled with them for awhile, checked the phase, turned the power on and off (to make sure the pads remained the same), but I couldn't fix it. I ended up just cranking the quieter pre up a bit.

Upon testing the microphones at home, it appears that one microphone is +8 dB louder than the other. I'm going to continue to test more on the quieter one with different settings to see if anything else is strange. What could be the problem? Is my best bet to send it in to AKG for a repair?

Matt

[Matt Grabe]

Originally Posted by Saint Audio

It's broken dude, and will be expensive to repair, if not impossible.

I recommend you sell them both and get a pair of Rode NT-3s. They'll cost you a little more than those other ones you had, but I assure you, you won't be dissapointed.

Why would it be impossible to repair?

I'm not really interested in the NT3's, just want my C414 fixed. I appreciate the input though!

Any ideas on what could be wrong with the mic?

[Makinithappen]

We have had our 414s in for repair a couple of times. It's not that expensive. We send them to a place called Land Audio in TN. I'm not saying anything bad about Rode but I wouldn't get rid of the 414s. 414s definitely get used more at our place than our Rodes.

[Makinithappen]

And there is no reason it would be impossible to repair... dont listen to that guy. I have AKGs number in my phone.... call 1 818 893 8411 and talk to Hector. He's almost never at his desk (it seems) but he always calls me back within a 24 hours.

[Makinithappen]

Oh... and just one more thing... That other guy has only 7 posts and most of them about the NT3. I'll go ahead and assume thats one of the only mics he owns. I'm not saying I'm always right but in this case I'd be skeptical of this guys info.

[Makinithappen]

I'm not trying to bog down this forum but with a second look, I think this guy works for Rode

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You should look at getting a Rode NT-3. These...

You should look at getting a Rode NT-3. These microphones are amazing. In fact, don't consider those European mics, they always break, especially the 414s - they get quieter by 8 or more db!

Get the...
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It's broken dude, and will be expensive to...

It's broken dude, and will be expensive to repair, if not impossible.

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The outrageously good RODE NT-3

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Jake, ignore all these other posts.

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[Graham Tobias]

Hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha... haha. ha. ha. wow.

[JAY D]

damn son

[uncle duncan]

"It has velvety deep lows, creamy mids, and almost hypnotising top end."

I used to have a girlfriend like that. I think that guy is having an unnatural relationship with his Rode NT3's.

[Makinithappen]

Originally Posted by uncle duncan

"It has velvety deep lows, creamy mids, and almost hypnotising top end."

I used to have a girlfriend like that. I think that guy is having an unnatural relationship with his Rode NT3's.

You forgot "sensual". (see post)

[bigdoghat]

Originally Posted by Saint Audio

It's broken dude, and will be expensive to repair, if not impossible.

I recommend you sell them both and get a pair of Rode NT-3s. They'll cost you a little more than those other ones you had, but I assure you, you won't be dissapointed.

I have an NT-3 but recently got a Magic Mic and A/B'd them - it blew the Rode out of the water. Rich, dreamy lows, magnanimous mids and a top end that's practically out of the stratosphere. I don't even put it on a stand when I sing - handling noise is non-existent.

[zimv20]

Originally Posted by Saint Audio

In my opinion, you'd be better off rid of those mics

even if only one is bad, right? can't be too careful these days.

[Matt Grabe]

Originally Posted by Saint Audio

In my opinion, you'd be better off rid of those mics, and get yourself some good Rode NT-3s.

I'm really not interested in selling anybody a broken microphone.

I love the way the C414's sound. They compliment my Gefell UM900 quite nicely ... or perhaps I should trade that in for a NT3?

Makinithappen, thank you for your input! What was the turn around time for your repairs? I'll give AKG a call tomorrow.

[psycho_monkey]

Originally Posted by Saint Audio

Hey buddy, you're trying to make me look crooked!

These are just my opinions. I don't work for Rode - and I haven't said anything that's incorrect.

In my opinion, you'd be better off rid of those mics, and get yourself some good Rode NT-3s.

Well, no - all you've given is your opinion and some advice. Bad advice. Of course it's not impossible, or particularly expensive, to fix 414s.

Have you ever heard a 414? D12e? any of the other things you're bashing?

Somehow, I don't think an NT-3 is going to be a like-for-like replacement for my D12...I'm sure it'd smoke my crappy AKG budget-alike, but that's beside the point.

[vespiz]

I have the same problem with my AKG C414 B-ULS's (I got them used). I have to do some more research, but it does seem that one of them is about 3-4dBs down...
Nothing that a little boost from a pre-amp won't fix..

[AudioFocus]

This is a common problem with some of the newer 414s. Sometimes there just isn't any output altogether. I took one of my 414s to Land Audio as well. Richard did an awesome job with a very quick turnaround. It really isn't expensive to have the thing fixed.

www.myspace.com/landaudioservices

cheers

[sethmeister]

Did school let out for summer vacation already?

[Makinithappen]

Originally Posted by Matt Grabe

Makinithappen, thank you for your input! What was the turn around time for your repairs? I'll give AKG a call tomorrow.

If I recall correctly, it was about 3 weeks or so, but every time we send one in, we send the other in as well as they are a matched pair. Plus our SolidTube had some issues around the same time and that one took a little longer. I get them all confused. Sorry.