PROAR C414 Microphone Comparison Test with the Original C414
While this mic says “C414”, it is not a direct clone of the original. The Proar mic is still a decent condenser mic but it’s not quite exactly the same. A few notable differences are:
- Original mic has pick up pattern selection switch, Proar mic can only do one pick up pattern.
- Original mic has a pad and frequency selection switch, Proar mic doesn’t.
- Original mic sounds much fuller, warmer, higher gain, and more low end. Proar mic doesn’t have as much gain or low end and it sounds a bit hollow compared to the original but not in a bad way. It just sounds like it has its own characteristics.
I recorded some sound sample using my acoustic guitar. The mic is set to point at the same spot where the neck and the body of the guitar meets. Both mics are about 6”-8” away from the guitar. Both mics are set at the same exact gain in the DAW and both are recording at the same time. In the video, I isolated each mic so that way you can A/B the sound between one and the other. There’s no effects or EQ applied to either microphone.
As you can hear in the video, both microphone sounded almost the same. The Proar mic just sounded less full but it doesn’t sound bad. My suggestion if you want to make the Proar mic sound a bit more like the original C414 is to add about 5db more gain, add just a tad of low end, and experiment with adding some midrange frequencies to make the mic sound less hollow.
All in all, the Proar mic is pretty good deal given the price point. It’s a pretty decent condenser mic and it has its own characteristics and sound that is reminiscent of the original C414. With a bit of tweaks in post production, I have no doubt that you can get a pretty convincing “C414” sound from this mic. Highly recommended.
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Пікірлер: 22
Proar Just has a little more high end than the real C14 both sound very much identical Proar seems ready use for podcasting. I just got the Proar and really like it I use it for recording music guitar and vocals. I had the AKG C414 had lost it but really loved the mic was so expensive though it's great to get one for low price that sound as good i wont worry if I lose it.. Thank you for the comparison video very well done.
Thanks for your comparison, it helps a lot! This Proar is the model with the large 34mm capsule (not 25mm) right?
They sound so close the price difference is insane! I actually preferred the Proar. I know the AKG has a lot more polar patterns but the Proar is just more airy sounding in such a nice way.
I'm looking for an upgrade to record my piano. Currently I'm using an old tascam DR05 for it. I've already bought a zoom H6 and now I'm looking for some additional mic's. I see a lot of SDC-pencils in a budget-friendly price range, but buying two of these seems like a good idea too. Any thoughts?
I'd be just as happy recording the ProAr as the original C414.... Listened on really good Planars.... The Chinese mic had none of that cheap, grainy highend.... It's tiny lift up top is actually quite pleasing. And honestly the additional Lowend is something you take out on vocals and most instruments. And you can print pick up the Chinese mic for around $60
Could it be that the Proar is more neutral and the AKG adds low end? The Proar sounds more mix ready if that makes sense. Not an engineer here but curious to see if others agree. Thanks for the video.
@PushandPullPedals
4 ай бұрын
AKG definitely has more low-end and it is sweeter sounding than the Proar. Though in the mix with other instruments, the difference may lot be as noticeable.
@MustacheVerra
4 ай бұрын
Listening today and i find the Proar sounds just a tad cheaper like a Chinese mic. Like you said, i wouldn't hear the difference in a mix.@@PushandPullPedals
For that particular guitar the Proar won. The original c414 sounded like too much bass.
Got a stereo pair and they sound great.
@jjlwaardenburg
3 ай бұрын
Every tried to use a pair of these on a piano? I want to either buy two of these or a matched pair of pencils.
@TroyLeonardO
3 ай бұрын
@@jjlwaardenburg I have only used them as room mics for a piano is think they worked well.
Which 414 model is this that you are using here? I'm not aware of any with these switches.
Sounds like Proar level was slightly lower.
What 414 are you comparing? XLS or XLII?
@PushandPullPedals
9 ай бұрын
It's an XLS C414 which I understand is slightly darker and warmer than the XLII. I'm going to see if I can get my hands on the XLII and may be make another comparison video.
Akg is more punchy... it have a great middle range.
the original sounds too bassy... the proar is more airy more pleasing to my ears...
What preamp was used or modeled?
@PushandPullPedals
4 ай бұрын
No preamp used. The two microphones are plugged in directly to the interface in separate channels and recorded at the same time. No effects, compressor, EQ we'e added and there's no post processing. What you hear is as true of a representation of what the microphones sound like as it could be.
In a blind test I can't tell one from the other.
I always root for the cheaper mic but this one the original is beyond better to my ears. There are other microphones in the Proar line up that might make a better comparison with a real C414 like the V10 which from what I understand has much much fuller sound.Not that the this Proar is a bad mic just not a good clone to my ears