AKG studio classic microphones - Comparison of the AKG C214, C314, & C414 XLS
In this week’s episode, we take a look at and listen to the AKG C214, C314, and C414 XLS large diaphragm condenser microphones. These variations on AKG’s studio classic include similar feature sets for recording spoken word audio like podcasts, voice over, and livestreams. The AKG series of microphones include switchable polar patterns and inbuilt low-cut filters and pads. Although they’re often found recording vocals and instruments for music, the C series of mics can also be useful for podcast and voiceover recording. In this video we compare and contrast each mic’s feature set, discuss the applications in which they might perform best, and overall have a fun time playing with different mics. Let’s take a closer look!
If you’d like to learn how to make great dialogue audio for your film and video projects, please have a look at my courses including processing dialogue audio in Adobe Audition and DaVinci Resolve/Fairlight, recording sound, how to use the Zoom F4, F6, F8, and F8n, and how to get the most from the Sound Devices MixPre series of recorders. Our latest courses cover Sound for Live Streaming with the ATEM Mini and an Intro to Izotope RX. school.learnlightandsound.com
Support my work creating videos by donating at Ko-Fi.com ko-fi.com/curtisjudd
Gear used or mentioned in this episode. The links below are Amazon.com, B&H Photo, Sweetwater, DVEStore, Perfect Circuit, Trew Audio or other affiliate links. As an affiliate, I earn from qualifying purchases:
- AKG C214 Large Diaphragm Condenser Microphone, brightest, crispest of the three - B&H, Sweetwater, Amazon geni.us/7BxOEf
- AKG C314 Large Diaphragm Condenser Microphone, best option for sibilant voices - B&H, Sweetwater, Amazon geni.us/vDzqv3
- AKG C414 XLS Large Diaphragm Condenser Microphone - B&H, Sweetwater, Amazon geni.us/DoO4qT
- AKG C414 XLII, brighter, crisper voicing than XLS - B&H, Sweetwater, Amazon geni.us/t15vu
- Table mic stand - B&H, Amazon geni.us/cJUHuw
- XLR cables (high quality 59 C214 ) - B&H geni.us/8y4B
- Sound Devices MixPre-3 II Series audio recorder - B&H, Sweetwater, DVE Store, Trew Audio, Amazon geni.us/O8e0
- Sound devices Pix-E stand (for the MixPre) - Amazon geni.us/Y6WXndU
- Aputure P300C LED used as key light - Aputure, B&H, DVE Store geni.us/TFVUy
- Aputure LS 300X used for background light - Aputure, B&H, Amazon geni.us/LBXWV
- Aputure Spotlight Mount - Aputure, B&H, DVE Store. Amazon geni.us/kfAj
- Rosco Gobo creates the pattern on the back wall - B&H geni.us/Yqzw
- Canon C70 cinema camera - B&H geni.us/ABYB
- Canon RF 24-70 f/2.8L lens - B&H, Amazon geni.us/qwsEs
- Schneider Radiant Soft diffusion filter - B&H geni.us/VFScD
- Panasonic GH5 camera - B&H, Amazon geni.us/InspOl
- Panasonic 12-35mm f/2.8 II lens - B&H, Amazon geni.us/gr47
The intro and outro music for this episode is from Musicbed - “Dynamo” by Virgil Arles. Take your films to the next level with music from Musicbed. Sign up for a free account to listen for yourself: geni.us/G7by
Copyright 2022, Curtis Judd
#AKG #Microphones #C214 #C314 #C414
Index
00:00 Start
00:07 Summary
00:17 Introduction
00:30 Why I bought the C414 XLS
01:49 Raw samples C214, C314, C414 XLS
03:16 Plosive samples
04:28 Shock mounting performance
05:01 Introducing the C214 and C314
05:42 C214
06:11 C214 polar pattern
06:46 C214 pad
06:59 C214 low-cut filter
07:24 C214 self-noise
07:51 C214 case and shock mount and foam windshield
08:05 C214 Wrap up
08:32 C314 Voicing
08:55 C314 Polar patterns
09:11 C314 pad
09:20 C314 Low-cut filter
09:35 C314 self-noise
09:58 C314 case, shock mount, foam windshield
10:18 C414 XLS voicing
12:19 C414 self-noise
12:30 C414 low-cut filter
13:14 C414 pad
13:25 Max SPL loud sounds
14:05 C414 9 Polar patterns
15:08 Why use other polar patterns & Mid-side stereo
15:59 My suggestions & when these mics make the most sense
17:44 Please buy my courses
Пікірлер: 76
I really like your culture and good taste in presenting the microphone. It's an oasis of calm in a sea of brashness that the internet is full of.
@curtisjudd
Жыл бұрын
Thanks Ad.
Hey Curtis! Once again you’ve made the best video around for exactly what I’ve been looking for! Thank you for all your years of hard work!
@curtisjudd
9 ай бұрын
👍
I have to say the voice of Curtis on C414 sounds so comfortable and is perfect for some sort of story-telling
@curtisjudd
Жыл бұрын
🙏
ahhh... the sweet dream of having a C414 on our own. Thank you for making me dream about it, it's an old one as a voice-over guy (who's on a pause for now) who had the chance to work with it on many occasions. But never possess one. And, as you mention it, it shines on percussions too. And I felt spoiled to have one during a concert, as overheads for my drum set. I'm not spoiled anymore, but I still dream. Thank you for the good work, as always ! ✋🙂
@curtisjudd
Жыл бұрын
LOL! It is an oldie but goodie. 👍
Excellent and rare video on these great AKG mics. I’ve never seen a comparison on all three before. In the samples you did I thought the 314 had the warmest nicest vocal sound of the three. However I would get the 414 for general use like for instruments, orchestra, pipe organ, and for voice. But I would get the 314 for voice only.
@curtisjudd
Жыл бұрын
That’s a good way to put it. Thanks Allen.
Great comparison - so thank you. I´m a prof. musician and I can approve everything you said. So - I got two 414XLS and one 214 and they complement each other very nicely.
@curtisjudd
Жыл бұрын
Thanks and glad to hear that they're working well for you. Happy recording!
Thank you for your great vidoes!
@curtisjudd
Жыл бұрын
🙏
I own the c414 xlii, omg, the mic sounds amazing and I understand why is so popular, my favorite mic so far...
@curtisjudd
3 ай бұрын
👍
Such a great video, thank you for this. Just used your affiliate link for the C414 XLS :D
@curtisjudd
7 ай бұрын
I hope it works well for you - happy recording!
Hey Curtis - I just noticed there are new kids on the block and think it be great to see a review by you. So thought I would suggest it as they might send you some considering your saturation in the sound arena. The mic I want to see reviewed is the RYCOTE SC-08 SUPER CARDIOID MICROPHONE, I ideally am interested in it's off-axis recording for indoor dialogue. I was looking at getting a CMC141 and whilst looking for a good mount for it I noticed this on Rycote's site. There is no one out there yet which has reviewed it and seeing as you are Gerald Undone of the sound world ... :-D PS: I did watch your Rycote HC 15 and HC 22 reviews which seemed quite good! but I already have two NTG3B mics, so don't think I will swap them out just yet.
@curtisjudd
Жыл бұрын
Thanks for the tip! Will check it out. 👍
Very interesting. Looking for a replacement for my Stellar X2 Vintage because I move laterally a lot during Livestreams. I use the MixPre 3 II with the noise assist plugin because I'm in a garage with no sound treatment. Would the 314 be a good swap for the x2 vintage?
@curtisjudd
Жыл бұрын
Possibly, yes.
AKG never disappoints.
@curtisjudd
Жыл бұрын
Indeed.
@skakdosmer
Жыл бұрын
I was quite disappointed with a pair of AKG headphones. And I don't think I'd be too pleased with these microphones.
@RustyTube
Жыл бұрын
@@skakdosmer OK
Fantastic review here man. Been trying to decide between the XS and the XII. I feel the XII just might be a little bit bright for me, whereas I think the XS is just enough where I could boost the highs if needed the tiniest bit and be just fine. We'll see what route I go.
@curtisjudd
2 ай бұрын
Good luck!
@Curtis Judd Have you changed your camera/lens or lighting setup? This new vid looks super smooth. Thanks for the brilliant content, as always. 11/10!
@curtisjudd
Жыл бұрын
Thanks Phil, I switched to a Canon C70 a little over a year ago.
Hi Curtis, great video! Just like to know how the foam windscreen come with c214 helps reduce sibilance and HF presence boost? Does that make it sounds more like C414 XLS?
@curtisjudd
Жыл бұрын
Yes, a tiny bit closer.
Ok so basically if your just going to sing , then get the AKG C214. The C314 is nice too. But if you’re going to record ambient sounds like nature or city sounds, for music or movies, then go for the C414.
@curtisjudd
11 ай бұрын
I bought the C414 for voice over.
The 214 sounds balanced on my iPhone. The 314 has a low to mid range presence whereas the c414 has a noticeable high shrill shelf presence. I’ve used the 414 on VOs but the voice didn’t work well with our talent. I would recommend the 314 but the 214 is a strong competitor for its price range
@curtisjudd
Жыл бұрын
👍
Is it possible to use 414 in supercardioid mode for occasional dialog booming indoors? Will it work any decently on typical for this case 20-25 inch distance in comparison with pencil-condenser or shotgun?
Mr judd, can you safely recommend the AkG C214, for voice over work and how do you compare it to the sennheiser MK 4
@curtisjudd
10 ай бұрын
I haven’t used the Sennheiser so I cannot compare that. I’d probably opt for the RØDE NT1 over the AKG 214
Sorry for the offtopic... could you maybe suggest me a shotgun mic with the most directionality focus for a 200$ budget? (also if it's not too long would be a bonus) I have watched quite some of your shotgun mic reviews now but most of them are over my budget XD Thanks anyway :)
@skakdosmer
Жыл бұрын
Quite a few people recommend the t.bone 9900 - thomann's house brand. (But stay away from the t.bone 9600!).
@curtisjudd
Жыл бұрын
Or try the Audio Technica AT875R: kzread.info/dash/bejne/aoKf0LCLqZXbiLQ.html
@LaLekASMR
Жыл бұрын
@@skakdosmer Thanks a lot, do you maybe have any suggestions for something a bit shorter?
@LaLekASMR
Жыл бұрын
@@curtisjudd Thanks for the help! Any other you would suggest if I increased my budget to 300$ max?
@curtisjudd
Жыл бұрын
@@LaLekASMR Sennheiser MKE600. It is longer but note that the shorter the mic, the less direction it will generally be and so it will pick up more ambient noise.
Hey Chris. Thanks for this comparison. Do you have any experience with the Neumann TLM107? Would be interesting to hear the C414XLS next to that.
@curtisjudd
Жыл бұрын
I wish I had, but I don’t…yet.
@dcaudioyxe
Жыл бұрын
@@curtisjudd 414 is darker than the 107. Search for a pre Harman 414 still made in Austria.
thanks for the professional video! which one would be the best for rap vocals with harsh s-sounds?
@curtisjudd
Жыл бұрын
C414 XLS, I'd think.
@davidhabegger
Жыл бұрын
@@curtisjudd thanks!
I have issues with the AKG C214 as it's fundamentally a different microphone from any variety of AKG C414. The C214 is a pre-polarized electret which is mechanically and electronically different from the C414, and it will deliver a much differing signal. I wouldn't have any problem with the microphone if AKG's marketing department didn't mislead the unknowing buyers into believing they were getting a C414 with limited features. I don't know much about the C314 as I've never owned one, nor have I ever taken one apart to examine its functionality. (Pre-polarized electret microphones by their vary nature are brighter in tonal frequency, and they tend to include more harsh sounding harmonics. AKG claim the C214 is designed to be like the brighter C414, but in reality it's brightness just a result of being a cheaper made electret; it's neither a feature nor intended design. It's only real design is to meet a price-point while looking like the recording studio staple C414.) Edit: Spending more than $150 on an electret microphone is kind of crazy. The AT2020 is the pinnacle of electrets while maintaining the cheaper price-point.
@jimshaw899
Жыл бұрын
I haven't used an electret mic in years, not that I couldn't, wouldn't, shouldn't. In the past, electrets suffered some gradual deterioration from warm storage and use. I don't know if that has been solved. DC bias condenser mics suffer from contamination issues. The charged plate(s) can attract moisture and particulates which may then bind with the surfaces. It is one reason they are often only used in the studio. Like you, I am aggravated by mic manufacturers' obfuscation of what type condenser mic capsule it is. Often, this data never appears in a seller's literature.
@legacyShredder1
Жыл бұрын
@@jimshaw899 I have a feeling that the marketing people came up with the C214 rather than engineers. I get incredibly thorough when it comes to audio gear, because there is too much mythology wrapped up in brands and specific items, so the only way to navigate the BS is to learn how everything operates inside and out. It quickly becomes apparent that the C214 was created due to mythology and banking on a name rather than fulfilling a specific need in the public. If this mic were designed from the ground up to fulfill a need while meeting a lower price threshold it would look and operate completely different, and its main selling point wouldn't be looking like a more famous microphone.
@curtisjudd
Жыл бұрын
Fair point, clearly the weakest in the trio and not the best value for money relative to other options out there. But it also didn't sound awful to my ear and could be a good fit, especially for darker voices.
@legacyShredder1
Жыл бұрын
@@curtisjudd I'm not trying to hate on the microphone itself. It's the marketing that has been released since it was introduced that I really take issue with, because it's not accurate. I do think the price is too high for its typology, but that's neither here nor there.
@curtisjudd
Жыл бұрын
@@legacyShredder1 I agree. That’s why I do reviews and never allow the product company to review my videos prior to posting. My focus is to provide real-world performance samples rather than marketing.
I wonder how well it would work as a boom mic. With a hyper-cardioid and super-cardioid mode, it might be pretty decent.
@insanejughead
Жыл бұрын
For an indoor movie set scenario? It would just be okay, but only because of the low self noise. Beyond that, the shock mount needed would be too bulky, which would hinder the boom op's ability to aim it. A hypercardioid pencil would be better.
@twoknife
Жыл бұрын
@@insanejughead Yeah, I know a pencil mic with super or hyper-cardioid would be the ideal choice indoors and is what I am using. But if you are using fixed boom and already own the mic, maybe you could get away with it.
@insanejughead
Жыл бұрын
@@twoknife Oh, I see. Then by all means give it a go and let us know how it went! I was of the idea that you were asking that without having purchased one. Cheers!
@curtisjudd
Жыл бұрын
Could sound fine, but I agree with J, too bulky for hand booming.
Best sounding mic (to my ears): Curtis: C214 Dani: C414 Emma: C314
@curtisjudd
Жыл бұрын
👍
To me the 314 sounds the best on male voice in this test, the 214 on female. There's something nosy about the 414. I have a 414 XLS and despite being a workhorse I've never liked its sound as is. Technically, you can make any decent LDC sound like any other LDC with digital matching EQ in post these days. But for live application, I think I might consider "downgrading" my 414 to 314. At least I should give it a try. It just sounds better to me right off the bat. And its self-noise is just 2dbA louder, still very respectable.
@curtisjudd
Жыл бұрын
👍
414 forever!
@curtisjudd
Жыл бұрын
👍
So, don't these mics all share the same capsule? As I understand it, the internals of the C214 are the same except for the fact that it's a single diaphragm and hence has no variable polar pattern.
@curtisjudd
10 ай бұрын
They don’t sound exactly the same to my ear - the 214 has a brighter, almost brittle sound. So whether they use the same capsules or not, they sound different.
@MeTuLHeD
10 ай бұрын
@@curtisjudd I have no reason to doubt you. I have zero experience with the C214. The C414 on the other hand was my first mic when I started recording 40+ years ago. Used it on everything. There wasn't a single source it didn't sound good on. With a little subtractive EQ even a really sibilant source sounded great. And acoustic instruments sounded fantastic.
For the voice over i think c214 is better 😊
@curtisjudd
8 ай бұрын
👍
Recommendation: It definitely would make sense if you would talk into the Mic you talk about...???
@curtisjudd
Жыл бұрын
I did. 👍