AKG 414 vs AT4050

[permanent hearing damage]

Ok, are the 414s really worth the extra $$? i record loud rock bands, and usually track all the instruments live in the same room. i would use these for overheads and possibly vocals, maybe room mics if that ever made any sense.

i am almost thinking it might be best to just buy at4033s and spend the extra $$$ on some ribbon mics.

thoughts?

thanks.

[jajjguy]

Well, both are great mics. The 414 has more character, you might like it or not. I like it (i'm talking about the b-uls here). The 4050 is extremely versatile and transparent, by which i mean it doesn't have much character. If you like how the 414 sounds, then i'd say yes it's worth a bit more.

Your alternative suggestion might do you very well too.

[cgarges]

I own pairs of both and can say this: Given no other mics with which to record, I could probably be pretty happy using nothing but 4050s. To me, the 4050s sound better than 414s on just about everything--EXCEPT OVERHEADS. This is where I totally cave. I keep trying them every couple of years to see if my opinions change and they just don't. To me, the 414s sound infinitely better as overhead mics in any polar pattern. They also occasionally sound better on certain vocalists. So if you really want some cool overhead mics, check out the 414s. They'll work well on most things, but the 4050s tend to work better on most things. Just not overheads. At least not for me. Hope that helps a bit.

Chris Garges
Charlotte, NC

[tiger vomitt]

for some reason when i think of 414's as OH mics i think of the drummer from iron maiden in "live after death". i saw a picture and he was rockin a pair of 414's over the kit.

i happen to agree tho, 414's do sound good as OH mics