AKG Acoustics
AKG C 535 EB
Handheld cardioid condenser (prepolarised) for vocals and instruments, with a recessed four-position pad and bass filter switch
Power Phantom 9-52 V (IEC 61938).
- Type
- Condenser (electret)
- Pattern
- Cardioid
- Sensitivity
- −43 dBV/Pa
- Among 204 condensers: more output than 24%
- Among 311 mics: more output than 47%
- Self-noise
- 21 dB(A)
- Among 258 condensers: quieter than 19%
- Among 272 mics: quieter than 19%
- Max SPL
- 130 dB SPL
- Among 277 condensers: takes louder sound than 18%
- Among 343 mics: takes louder sound than 16%
- Rated range
- 20 – 20k Hz
vs 14 handheld condensers
More output than 92% of 14 handheld condensers.
Each stripe is one handheld condenser with a published sensitivity, and each bar counts them; further right means more output. This mic is in blue.
vs 12 handheld condensers
Quieter than 45% of 12 handheld condensers.
Each stripe is one handheld condenser with a published self-noise, and each bar counts them; further right means quieter. This mic is in blue.
vs 14 handheld condensers
Takes louder sound than 0% of 14 handheld condensers.
Each stripe is one handheld 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 manual (Recording Hacks copy), p. 20.
"Frequency Response:"; relative dB, the flat curve at 0 dB in the midrange. Distance, 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 manual (Recording Hacks copy), p. 20.
Polar diagram on p. 20; 0° at the bottom; rings every 5 dB, labelled 0, -10, -20. Left half 125 Hz to 1 kHz, right half 2 to 16 kHz; taken as symmetric. Switch position and measuring conditions not stated.
In practice
All specs
| From the manual (Recording Hacks copy) | ||
|---|---|---|
| Capsule | Single-diaphragm pressure-gradient capsule, moving mass about 2 mg, in an elastic suspensionDiaphragm "moving masses to about 2 milligrams"; transducer "screwed into an elastic suspension element" (p. 12). The data sheet: "Condenser pressure gradient". | p. 12 |
| Self-noise | 21 dB(A)IEC 60268-4. "Equivalent Noise Level acc. to IEC 60268-4 (A-weighted): 21 dB-A". | p. 18 |
| Max SPL | 130 dB SPL1% THD at 1 kHz into 600 ohm; also 144 dB SPL, with -14 dB attenuation; also 137 dB SPL, 1% THD, 2003 data sheet (switch position not stated). "80 Pa / 130 dBSPL; with –14 dB attenuation: 400 Pa / 144 dBSPL" (p. 19). | p. 19 |
| Output impedance | 200 ohm±20%, balanced | p. 18 |
| Rated load impedance | 600 ohmrecommended | |
| Rated frequency range | 20 Hz to 20 kHz±3 dB, from published curve | |
| Powering | phantom 9-52 V (IEC 61938) | p. 19 |
| Current draw | 1 mAapprox.. "approx. 1 mA"; p. 13 says "lower than 1 mA". | |
| Low cut | off, 100 Hz, roll-off 500 HzOne four-position switch: "0 dB" flat; "0 dB" with "bass-cut filter below 100 Hz slope: 12 dB/octave"; "–14 dB" flat; "–14 dB" with "bass rolloff filter below 500, slope: 4 dB/octave" (pp. 12-13). The data sheet's architects' specification gives "6 dB/octave roll-off below 200 Hz and 12 dB/octave below 100 Hz". | p. 12 |
| Pad | −14 dBSwitch positions "–14 dB" (flat) and "–14 dB" with bass roll-off (p. 13). The data sheet's architects' specification says "a 10 dB pad" (p. 2). | p. 13 |
| Switches | mode: 0 dB flat, 0 dB low cut, -14 dB flat, -14 dB roll-offRecessed in the shaft; set with a small screwdriver (p. 12). | p. 12 |
| Connector | XLR-3 malePin 2 in phase. | p. 19 |
| Weight | 300 gnet | |
| Dimensions | 46 × 184 mmHead diameter x length: "46 mm (1 13/16 inch), length: 184 mm (7 1/4 inch)". The data sheet prints "7.2” (161 mm) length"; 7.2 in is 183 mm, so its 161 mm looks like a misprint. | |
| Finish | matte black; zinc alloy housing | |
| Supplied accessories | SA 61 stand adapter; case"SA 61 stand adapter" (p. 19); "packed in a solid case" (p. 13). The 2003 data sheet lists an SA 41/1 stand adapter. | |
| Hum sensitivity | 4 µV/5 µT (at 50 Hz) | p. 18 |
| Output | Transformer-balanced, ungrounded | p. 13 |
| Climatic conditions | -20 °C to +60 °C; 99% relative humidity at 20 °C | p. 19 |
| Pop screen | Steel wire-mesh grille with a foam lining | p. 12 |
| Optional accessories | W 23 pop/windscreen; N 62 E and N 66 E mains power supplies; B 18 battery supply. The data sheet adds the PF 10 windscreen and PF 100 pop filter. | p. 19 |
| Shipping weight | 800 g | |
| ApplicationsAKG | Vocals (soloist, choir), acoustic guitar, clarinet, flute, trumpet, trombone, hi-hat, cymbals, snare | p. 14 |
| From the spec sheet (Recording Hacks copy) | ||
| Sensitivity | −43 dBV/Pa (7 mV/Pa)1 kHz. "7 mV/Pa; -43 dB (re 1 V)". | p. 1 |
| Responsedata sheet | A broad 2 dB rise between 7 and 12 kHz | |
Documents
- C535EB user instructionsDE, EN, FR, IT, ES
- C 535 EB Condenser Microphonedata sheet DS-C 535 EB
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.