AKG Acoustics
AKG C414 B-ULS
Large dual-diaphragm condenser, four patterns (omni, cardioid, hypercardioid, figure-8), with two bass cuts and two pads
Approximate Some readings for this mic are uncertain; see the graphs.
Power Phantom 12-48 V.
- Type
- Condenser
- Pattern
- Switchable, 4
- Sensitivity
- −38 dBV/Pa
- Among 204 condensers: more output than 46%
- Among 311 mics: more output than 62%
- Self-noise
- 14 dB(A)
- Among 258 condensers: quieter than 59%
- Among 272 mics: quieter than 60%
- Max SPL
- 140 dB SPL
- Among 277 condensers: takes louder sound than 62%
- Among 343 mics: takes louder sound than 56%
- Rated range
- 20 – 20k Hz
vs 75 side-address condensers
More output than 28% of 75 side-address condensers.
Each stripe is one side-address condenser with a published sensitivity, and each bar counts them; further right means more output. This mic is in blue.
vs 99 side-address condensers
Quieter than 34% of 99 side-address condensers.
Each stripe is one side-address condenser with a published self-noise, and each bar counts them; further right means quieter. This mic is in blue.
vs 107 side-address condensers
Takes louder sound than 60% of 107 side-address condensers.
Each stripe is one side-address condenser with a published max SPL, and each bar counts them; further right means it takes louder sound. This mic is in blue.
Instruments sources recommend it for most
Proximity effect: the bass it gains up close
From the spec sheet, p. 2.
"Omnidirectional On-axis Frequency Response (measured at 1 meter)". Relative dB as printed; room and smoothing not stated.
Dashed: outside the rated range, or simulated (other angles and distances). Hover or tap the graphs for values.
Polar pattern
From the spec sheet, p. 2. Approximate
"Polar Response", omni; 0° at the bottom, low frequencies on the left half and high on the right, rings every 5 dB (scale labelled 0, -10, -20). Measuring conditions not stated.
Approximate: some frequencies are identified by reasoning, not by the legend: 8k Hz, 16k Hz.
In practice
All specs
| From the spec sheet | ||
|---|---|---|
| Capsule | dual back-to-back 1-inch (25 mm) gold-sputtered diaphragms"designed around dual back-to-back large 1 in. (25 mm) gold sputtered diaphragms for multiple pickup patterns". | p. 1 |
| Sensitivity | −38 dBV/Pa (12.5 mV/Pa)1 kHz; all patterns. "Sensitivity at 1,000 Hz: 12.5 mV/Pa =^ -38 dBV"; "On-axis sensitivity for all patterns is 12.5 mV/Pa". | |
| Self-noise | 14 dB(A)equivalent noise level, A-weighted. "Equivalent Noise Level: 14 dB-A". | |
| Max SPL | 140 dB SPL1 kHz, 0.5% THD, unpadded; also 134 dB SPL, wide-band, 0.5% THD, unpadded. "Sound Pressure Level for 0.5% THD: 134 dB, wide-band (unpadded); 140 dB, 1 kHz (unpadded)". Max SPL with the pads not stated. | |
| Signal-to-noise ratio | 80 dBA-weighted. "S/N Ratio (A-weighted): 80 dB". | |
| Output impedance | 180 ohm"Electr. Impedance: 180 ohms". | |
| Rated load impedance | 1000 ohmmore than. "Load Impedance: > 1,000 ohms". | |
| Rated frequency range | 20 Hz to 20 kHz"Frequency Range: 20–20,000 Hz"; the description says the far-field on-axis response "for all four switchable patterns is remarkably flat, varying no more than +2 dB over the range from 20 to 20 kHz" (sic, probably ±2 dB). | |
| Powering | phantom 12-48 V"Power Requirement: 12–48 volts nominal Phantom powering". Current not stated. | |
| Low cut | off, 75 Hz, 150 Hz; 12 dB/octave; high-pass"bass cut of 12 dB/octave below 150 or 75 Hz". No graph of the bass cut. | |
| Pad | −10 dBalso −20 dB. "pre-preamp attenuation of either 10 or 20 dB". | |
| Connector | XLR-3"3-pin XLR type". | |
| Weight | 320 g"Net/Shipping Weight: 11 oz. (320 g)/2.1 lbs. (950 g)". | |
| Dimensions | 141 × 45 × 35 mm"5.6 x 1.8 x 1.4 in. (141 x 45 x 35 mm)" (height, width, depth as printed). | |
| Supplied accessories | H100 elastic suspension; W414 windscreen"Included Accessories". Optional: PF100 pop filter, B18 battery supply unit, N62E power supply. | |
| Finish | Non-reflective black | |
| Shipping weight | 950 g (2.1 lbs) | |
| Optional accessories | PF100 pop filter (for recording), B18 battery supply unit, N62E power supply | |
| FlatnessAKG | Far-field on-axis response of all four patterns within 2 dB from 20 Hz to 20 kHz | |
Documents
- C414B/ULS Large Diaphragm Condenser Microphonedata sheet, AKG Acoustics U.S.
Copies kept by Mic Archive (manufacturers move and drop their documents), unchanged, with their original addresses. Each is © its publisher.
Recommended for
By recording guides, engineers and mic makers, for this mic or an earlier version of it.