414 b-xls or at 4050 for acoustic instruments

[rollingrecords]

hi i am looking to pick up a new mic mainly for acoustic instruments i have rode nt5s a tlm 103 57s 421s using a gml 2032 to track with, the nt5s work good but i usally have them on drums (oh) my choices are the akg 414b-xls wich is supposed to be made for acoustics and the at-4050 these are the two i can order from the small music store i work at part time (for cost ) so please stay on the topic of these two mics thanks alot

[michael cleary]

i think you'll find the 4050 more neutral/flatter therefore you might find it more useful on a variety of sources. you might want to consider the shure ksm44 since it is right in between those pricewise and has been my go-to mic for acoustic sources lately. There are several distributors that wholesale most of the major mic brands so don't limit yourself to just those two models.

[zakco]

I have a pair of each and I find myself reaching for the 414BXLS more often than the 4050. I absolutely love them on strummed steel string acoustic gtr. I actually find the XLS quite neutral. No fizzy top and nice tight bottom, not hyped at all. Mids can be a bit forward for some sources but very detailed, not scooped at all. Having said that, pretty hard to go wrong with a 4050 either, if you're looking for a swiss army knife type mic.

I don't really like either on vocals....

Of course, milage will vary.....

-Z-

[trident fan]

414 harsh 4050 much better

[PHILANDDON]

I have the AKG 414B XLS and the AT 4040 (Not the 4050, though). I find the AKG to be very smooth and Bell-like and the AT to be a little grittier, gutsier. (Incidentally, the AT has higher self-noise). Both are great. The AKG is super versatile; It's got five polar patterns and a bunch of roll-off and pad settings..........

[dale116dot7]

4050 has a bit raspier of a top end than any of the 414 mics. The capsule designs are actually very similar between them, except that the 4050 has resonator plates located in front of each diaphragm. That being said, the 4050 is a pretty nice sounding mic, but on sibilant voices or airy instruments it can be a bit much.

[krs]

Originally Posted by trident fan

414 harsh 4050 much better

Originally Posted by dale116dot7

4050 has a bit raspier of a top end than any of the 414 mics.

Got to love this place...

[djui5]

I'd say get some 4051's!

But if I had to choose between the 2, I'd probably go with the 414's.

[jnorman]

i agree, the AT4051s are probably a better choice for acoustic instruments than the 4050. 414s are great, versatile mics, but for this application, i love my pair of AKG 480/ck61s - i sold my schoeps cmc64s after using these 481s - i got them used for $900 and they are almost indistinguishable from my DPA 4011s. surely some of the best mics for the money anywhere.

[insomnio]

I would consider a 4047.
From the 2 I'd go with the 4050. I find the 414's useless most of the time.


______________________________
Insomnio

[dale116dot7]

AT4050 has a 6dB 'bump' that ranges from 8.5kHz to about 9.5kHz. Sometimes you hit it and it sounds raspy. Other times you miss it and it sounds good.

I really like the CK61 capsule - my main acoustic guitar mic. I use them with a clone of an Altec M30 mic though. I use small diaphragms for most of my acoustic instrument needs. Except 5-string banjo. I have a special mic I use for that.