AKG 414 / Peluso Interview

Zygomorph · Post by **Zygomorph** » Mon Oct 14, 2013 8:09 pm

It was so interesting to read "Behind the Gear" from #96 where Mr. Peluso explains that AKG 414s have an "ethereal high end" because of the way the diaphragms are voiced.

The only time I got to use 414s was in college and recorded my first full-length record. I used them all over the friggin' place and in really weird ways too. (https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/tamuawok./id254546487

Anyway, the point is that I hadn't really listened to that record in like 5 years but when I did it was like... oh wow, yeah, there's totally a hi-fi sheen in the high end that doesn't really exist on anything else I've recorded since then.

Man, to have the money for a pair of those... anywaze. Knowledge is power.

Jim Williams · Post by **Jim Williams** » Tue Oct 15, 2013 8:18 am

AKG has made several variations to those over the last 40 years, not all 414 capsules are the same.

Early models used in 412's and 414's are the same as used in C-12's. Most are old and damaged by now.

Later they changed designs and added a nylon surround, the 414-B capsule. That is flat and has no built in high lift. It's my favorite as I don't ever want to lift 10~20k on every track I record.

In the tube craze they made the TLII capsule, a nylon surround with a raised response at 10k hz. Seems not many like that one, me included.

digitaldrummer · Post by **digitaldrummer** » Tue Oct 15, 2013 12:38 pm

and don't forget some have transformers and now some are transformerless...

I have a pair of the 414B-ULS (with transformers) and I'm pretty happy with them.

Mike

Nick Sevilla · Post by **Nick Sevilla** » Tue Oct 15, 2013 7:41 pm

I love my 414B-ULS. They have trannies in them.

Lovely mics, those.

Jim Williams · Post by **Jim Williams** » Wed Oct 16, 2013 7:46 am

I removed them from my B-ULS, they are more like the TL models.

Nick Sevilla · Post by **Nick Sevilla** » Wed Oct 16, 2013 11:14 am

Jim Williams wrote:I removed them from my B-ULS, they are more like the TL models.

You could have just bought the TL model instead... ANd I could have bought your BULS models from you.

Cheers

darjama · Post by **darjama** » Wed Oct 16, 2013 1:47 pm

For a while I was trying to decide which c414 was right for me. The price for the vintage ones seemed impractical for my budget. After listening to the comparisons at:
http://www.trustmeimascientist.com/2011 ... akg-c-414/

... I decided that the differences weren't worth the extra bucks. I found a good deal on a pair of the XLS variety on ebay and pulled the trigger. Not sorry that I did.

One of the applications I like them on that surprised me was for male vocals in figure-8 mode.

Jim Williams · Post by **Jim Williams** » Wed Oct 16, 2013 4:25 pm

On a super tight budget you can buy a $50 chi-com mic and load a $99 C-12 style capsule in it. I have a bunch of those and they sound great.

LupineSound · Post by **LupineSound** » Mon Mar 17, 2014 6:18 am

Hey Jim, I've been messing with a lot of DIY stuff lately. Any particular model you'd recommend for the chi-com mic? I think I'd like to try this.

Jim Williams · Post by **Jim Williams** » Mon Mar 17, 2014 8:11 am

Try this stuff:
www.microphone-parts.com

LupineSound · Post by **LupineSound** » Mon Mar 17, 2014 11:41 am

aw yis! thanks.

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AKG 414 / Peluso Interview

AKG 414 / Peluso Interview

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