The AKG C414 Condenser Microphone

The AKG C414 condenser microphone is sold today in two versions, the AKG C414 XLII and the AKG C414 XLS. In this article, we review the AKG C414XLII(see current price) and cover the difference between these two microphone versions. Which version of the C414 is best for you? What makes the C414 so popular? Let’s go ahead and dive into the C414.

AKG’s C414 is one of the most popular and widely used microphones in the world today. You’re likely to see one in every major studio. It has become a professional studio standard (although probably not to the level of the Shure SM57). However, the C414 didn’t make its name overnight. The C414 has had a long path and climb to the top. And its evolution is legendary in the audio world.

 

History of the C414

AKG is one of the most respected brands in audio today. Founded in 1947, in Vienna, Austria, the first AKG microphones were quick to make a splash on the scene. Manufactured by hand, with only five workers at the time, the popularity of these microphones quickly spread across the region. Within months they could be seen in major radio stations, theaters, and jazz-clubs across the world.

AKG continued its early momentum. Developing new products, AKG released their famous tube condenser microphone, the AKG C12, in 1953. The high-quality brass capsule of the C12, the CK12, became regarded as one of the finest capsules in audio.

This capsule propelled the hugely popular C12 microphone, that also allowed you the unique ability to switch between polar patterns. The C12 would lead to a gradual evolution of new models from AKG, that would eventually result in today’s iteration of the AKG C414.

 

The Legendary C414

However, the first true model of the C414 was released by AKG in 1976, the legendary C414 EB. The C414 EB became highly renowned for its brilliant high-end. Using the same brass capsule from the C12, it outshined competitors with its clarity and highly detailed treble response. The high-end clarity and the ability to cycle through polar patterns with the click of a button on the front of the microphone, made the C414 EB a powerful and versatile weapon in the studio.

The C414 EB found great success and became a top microphone choice in the recording world. Adopted by Queen’s Freddie Mercury in the 1970s, used often by Paul McCartney, used in The Police’s Every Breath You Take, seen on the desk of The Tonight Show’s Johnny Carson, used by Luther Vandross, Hall & Oates, used in Sinead O’Connor’s Nothing Compares 2 U, and also Coldplay’s Chris Martin’s favorite microphone, the C414 became legendary.

 

 

Evolution

However, it was the particular C414 “EB” that was the desirable favorite. AKG continued to evolve the C414 throughout the 1980s and 90s. They released several new iterations of the C414 including the EB-P48 (1980), B-ULS (1986) and B-TLlI (1993). With each new model, significant tweaks were made that were both celebrated and criticized (but mostly criticized). The consensus was that the later C414s were simply not as good as the original C414 EB.

Perhaps the preference for the EB is simply a nostalgic “good-old-days” bias. Or, maybe it’s completely warranted. Nonetheless, it’s clear that the later C414s were indeed different both in sound and design. AKG’s shift from the lustrous brass capsule of the CK12 to a new nylon version which was cheaper to manufacture (the tale of many failed evolutions in the audio history) resulted in a dramatic shift in sound. The later C414s struggled to maintain the same shimmering high-end and brilliant sound character that the C414 EB became renowned for.

Although many believed the newer C414s had a darker sound, the shift to the nylon capsule also resulted in a more neutral sound which worked better for many other recording sources. A taste was developed for the darker and more neutral sound, arguably making the later C414s more versatile than the EB. Nonetheless, many still prefer the legendary character of the C414 EB. When you know a piece of audio gear is legendary, it suspiciously tends to sound better to most people, every time.

Although changes to the C414 were criticized, the newer C414s also underwent other significant improvements. They became quieter, with less self-noise and higher output. There were also significant build and design improvements, resulting in fewer pops and sound artifacts and increased durability, not to mention the shiny gold grille that emerged.

 

The Modern C414

Finally, in 2004, AKG decided to divide the C414 into two lines, releasing the C414B-XLII and the C414B-XLS. There had been confusion over the years about the sound character of the C414, as it seemed to fluctuate between dark and bright sporadically with each new model. Over the years, owners of the C414 had developed particular tastes for either the brighter or darker tonality. This split helped ease confusion in their marketing. Simply put, the B-XLII became the brighter microphone and the B-XLS, the darker one.

Five years later and shortly after AKG celebrated their 60th anniversary, AKG dropped the B from the XLII and XLS, releasing their latest models, the C414 XLII and C414 XLS. The most significant improvement with these latest models was the upgrade from five polar patterns to the addition of four more polar patterns (in between each pattern) to switch through. With this addition, the XLII and XLS have become the most versatile models of the C414 to date. We’ve chosen to review the more popular of the two models, and this is where our C414 XLII review begins.

 

AKG C414 XLII Review

C414 Review: Build and Quality

The AKG C414 XLII and XLS keep the classic shape that its predecessors have become famous for. The appearance of the C414 begins with its compact, somewhat box-shaped design. Although the design is basic, the beautiful gold grille found on the C414 XLII, makes this microphone appear quite flashy when in the studio. You shouldn’t judge a microphone by its look. However, if you’re running a small startup studio, the impression of your clients and collaborators seeing the sparkling C414 can be a valuable thing.

The base of the C414 is solid and heavy, quite frankly, it’s built like a tank. This, however, is not true for the mesh screen gold grille of the C414. Although pleasing to the eye, it is clear that it is quite fragile. Feedback from owners of the C414 indicates the same. The grille is prone to dents and bends if you are not careful with your handling of the C414.

The greatest danger of this is not simply scarring the look of your C414, however. Underneath that grille is the precious heart of the C414, the 2nd generation CK12 nylon capsule, responsible for the sound of the C414. Although with newer models, AKG has since implemented an elastic mounting around its capsule to minimize vibration and potentially damaging force the capsule may experience, the capsule is still too precious to be careless. Simply put, be careful to never drop this microphone. Although it may survive a few drops, it’s no Shure SM57 or SM58 (invincible workhorses).