AKG Acoustics
AKG C 480 B ULS
Small-diaphragm condenser, modular: the C 480 B preamplifier with screw-on ULS capsules, CK 61 (cardioid), CK 62 (omni) or CK 63 (hypercardioid)
Approximate Some readings for this mic are uncertain; see the graphs.
Power Phantom 48 V ± 4 V (P48, IEC 60268-4).
- Type
- Condenser
- Pattern
- Switchable, 3
- Sensitivity
- −34 dBV/Pa
- Among 204 condensers: more output than 69%
- Among 311 mics: more output than 79%
- Self-noise
- 11 dB(A)
- Among 258 condensers: quieter than 78%
- Among 272 mics: quieter than 79%
- 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 end-address condensers
More output than 66% of 75 end-address condensers.
Each stripe is one end-address condenser with a published sensitivity, and each bar counts them; further right means more output. This mic is in blue.
vs 104 end-address condensers
Quieter than 91% of 104 end-address condensers.
Each stripe is one end-address condenser with a published self-noise, and each bar counts them; further right means quieter. This mic is in blue.
vs 110 end-address condensers
Takes louder sound than 64% of 110 end-address condensers.
Each stripe is one end-address condenser with a published max SPL, and each bar counts them; further right means it takes louder sound. This mic is in blue.
Proximity effect: the bass it gains up close
From the manual, p. 23.
"Specified Curves", CK 61-ULS on the C 480 B; relative dB. A thin dashed tolerance band is drawn around the nominal curve. Distance and field not stated.
Dashed: outside the rated range, or simulated (other angles and distances). Hover or tap the graphs for values.
Polar pattern
From the manual, p. 23. Approximate
"Polar Diagrams", CK 61-ULS; 125 Hz to 1 kHz on the left half, 2 to 16 kHz on the right; 0° at the bottom, rings every 5 dB, centre about -30 dB. Measuring conditions not stated.
Approximate: reading error up to about 1.5 dB.
In practice
All specs
| From the manual | ||
|---|---|---|
| Capsule | interchangeable ULS capsules: CK 61 cardioid, CK 62 omni, CK 63 hypercardioid (also CK 69 shotgun) | p. 14 |
| Sensitivity | −34 dBV/Pa (20 mV/Pa)1000 Hz, gain switch 0 dB; also −28 dBV/Pa, +6 dB; also −44 dBV/Pa, -10 dB. "20 mV/Pa -34 dBV" (0 dB), 40 mV/Pa (+6 dB), 6.3 mV/Pa (-10 dB); the same for all three capsules (p. 22). | p. 20 |
| Self-noise | 11 dB(A)DIN 45412, gain switch 0 dB; also 13 dB(A), +6 dB; also 17 dB(A), -10 dB | |
| Self-noiseCCIR 468 | 18 dBDIN 45405 (CCIR 468-2), gain switch 0 dB; also 22 dB, +6 dB; also 27 dB, -10 dB | |
| Max SPL | 140 dB SPL0.5% THD, gain switch 0 dB, into the recommended load, 20 Hz to 20 kHz; also 134 dB SPL, +6 dB; also 144 dB SPL, -10 dB. 200 Pa, 100 Pa and 316 Pa. | p. 21 |
| Signal-to-noise ratio | 83 dBre 1 Pa, A-weighted, gain switch 0 dB; also 81 dB, +6 dB; also 77 dB, -10 dB. The cut sheet gives 81 dB-A. | |
| Dynamic range | 129 dBA-weighted, gain switch 0 dB; also 121 dB, +6 dB; also 127 dB, -10 dB | |
| Output impedance | 150 ohm≤ 150 ohm | p. 25 |
| Rated load impedance | 2000 ohmrecommended, 2000 ohm // 1 nF (IEC 268-15 A) | |
| Rated frequency range | 20 Hz to 20 kHzas per the specified curve. The preamplifier alone: 10 Hz to 30 kHz ± 0.3 dB (p. 25). | p. 20 |
| Powering | phantom 48 V ± 4 V (P48, IEC 60268-4) | p. 25 |
| Current draw | 2 mA≤ 2 mA | |
| Low cut | off, 70 Hz, 150 Hz; 12 dB/octave"Two bass-cut positions with onset at 70 Hz and 150 Hz" (p. 14); "12 dB/octave, for all positions" (p. 25); p. 16 says "more than 12 dB/octave". The cut sheet gives "Bass cut filter: 100 Hz". | p. 14 |
| Pad | −10 dB"Built-in attenuation switch with 0 and -10 dB position" and a +6 dB gain switch; p. 25 gives one gain selector, +6, 0 and -10 dB. | |
| Switches | gain: +6 dB, 0 dB, -10 dB"Gain: +6 dB, 0 dB, -10 dB, selectable". | p. 25 |
| Connector | XLR-3 male | |
| Weight | 100 gC 480 B preamplifier, net (shipping 500 g) | |
| Finish | matte black (brass case) | |
| Supplied accessories | SA 60 quick-release stand adapter; W 32 foam windscreen (with the comb-ULS/61); original frequency response curve (with the comb-ULS/61) | p. 14 |
| Hum sensitivity at 50 Hz | Lower than self-noise | p. 25 |
| Capsule contacts | Self-cleaning, gold plated; thread M 19 x 0.75 | |
| Environment | Operating temperature -20 °C to +60 °C; relative humidity 99% at +20 °C, 95% at +60 °C | p. 21 |
| Optional accessories | H 30 and H 38 elastic suspensions, H 50 stereo bar, H 300 stereo suspension, SA 18/2B stand adapter, SA 38/H, KA 38 camera adapter, PF 80 pop filter, B 18 + A 48 V battery supply | p. 15 |
| From the spec sheet | ||
| Dimensions | 21 × 173 mmDiameter × height, preamplifier with CK 61 ULS; the preamplifier alone is 21 × 150 mm (manual p. 25), the CK 61 ULS 27 mm high. | p. 2 |
| Output stage | Transformerless; drives long cables | p. 1 |
| Padcut sheet | "Preattenuation Pad: 6, -10 dB" | p. 2 |
Documents
- C 480 B comb-ULS/61, C 480 B, CK 61-ULS, CK 62-ULS, CK 63-ULS user instructionssix languages
- C480 B CB ULS & CK61 ULS cut sheet
Copies kept by Mic Archive (manufacturers move and drop their documents). Each is © AKG Acoustics, unchanged, with its original address.
Recommended for
By recording guides, engineers and mic makers, for this mic or an earlier version of it.