AKG C214 Professional Large-Diaphragm Condenser Microphone, Single pattern, cardioid, switchable 20dB attenuator and bass-cut filter, integrated suspension, rugged classic design, wide dynamic range

These are simply stunning mics by any class. I am using these primarily as drum overheads, but they are so versatile you could turn them to almost anything. The 20dB pad option is perfect for recording loud sources (such as drums) and in close mic'ing situations. I've not tried recording more distant/quieter sources, or used the bass rolloff filter yet. These are my first foray into professional mics, so I have little else to compare them with (other than a little USB snowball mic!). But these are in a totally different class all together!! On setting up for my first test recording, I was simply blown away with the sensitivity and how accurately these mics will capture detail. On my first listen back to my recording through headphones, I had to double-take - as I actually thought someone was in the room with me physically playing my drums!! I simply was not prepared for what I was about to witness. The accuracy and realism of the recording was incredible! - These mics pic up every minute nuance of your performance, and even pick stuff up I couldn't humanly detect with my own ears. (For instance, they even picked up the sound of the click track playing in my in-ears with huge Peltor Ear Defenders over the top!). They have a lovely smooth top-end (admission: I didn't even know what this meant, until I listened back to my recording, and heard it for myself with my own ears!). The cymbals have a lovely wash to them when played, with no harsh overtones at all. The cardiod pickup pattern also does a great job of rejecting unwanted room noise from the recording, by rejecting everything from the rear of the microphone. With careful microphone placement you can achieve fantastic results. (Note: these mics are fixed at 'cardiod' - so if you are wanting omnidirectional mics, you will have to look at the more expensive C314, or C414 mics that come with different selectable polar patterns). I didn't opt to buy a 'matched stereo pair' (it's a hotly debated topic in audio circles) so I saved a bit by buying individual mics separately. I'm not convinced I have a 'perfectly matched pair of ears', and in any case I dare say the average listener can't audibly detect the difference in a blind listening test - so that's good enough for me!! The build quality is impressive too - they feel reassuringly heavy and rugged. The suppled flight case is well padded, and should hopefully keep these mics in tip top condition for years of useful service.

The objective of every condenser microphone (American) capacitor mic ((British) is that they produce a very accurate copy of reality, following every nuance of sound. When it comes to microphones of this quality, you will quickly realise that they have succeeded in meeting that objective. If you buy a microphone at twice the price, it won't be superior to this when it comes to its ability to record sounds faithfully. I won't waste your time reiterating what other soundmen have written on this site, but suffice to say, it's damn good. Why have I said: 'Be careful what you wish for?' You will quickly learn that it will pick up sounds not heard by your good self when in the throes of making the recording, namely, you wish to produce sounds that are truly realistic ... but your recording may include sounds that you will swear weren't there. Air conditioning, fridges and freezers, a dripping tap ten feet away (3Mtrs), a car door being slammed three streets away ... this mike has 'ears on elastic'. If you have numerous Phantom Voltage settings, you will find solace in selecting a lower Phantom Voltage, as this will reduce the microphone's output amplitude. Worthy of note; Although it may be a pretty tall order, this microphone can be overloaded if the sound source exceeds 100dB's ... along with the human ear! My first experience with this microphone was to discover I had a single note on my piano, which had lost its damping felt, allowing the strings to sustain oscillation for a very long time. It wrecked the recording. If you decide to buy this rather expensive mic, your recordings will step up to the next level ... now all you have to do is buy a speaker system with x-over network to do it justice!

I do a fair bit of home recording and it is usually just my vocals and an acoustic guitar. I bought two of these which I feed through a pair of Joemeek VC3s and the quality of the sound is quite frankly excellent. I purposely didn't go for the matched stereo pair as I really don't think it matters and having two microphones that are ever so slightly different, to my ears anyway, gives a better and more interesting sound. The C214 comes in a rugged case with a professional shock mount and windshield. The signal delivered by the C214 is up there with the best of them and the only difference I can see between these and the more expensive C414 (which I have also used) is the extra polar patterns available. The sound is crisp and detailed, my guitar and vocals have never sounded better. They are very sensitive mics and I would recommend using them in an acoustically treated environment to cut down on background noise... I hang a duvet on the wall behind me to cut down on room reflections. I employ the low cut filter to reduce the boom of both my bassy voice and the guitar as I like the sound of close miking. A 20db cut is also provided should you need it for louder sources such as drums. For the hobbyist home recording studio the C214 is an excellent choice to make professional sounding recordings economically. If you are an acoustic guitarist/singer then I can highly recommend these microphones. I just wish I had bought them years ago... They are so good that I am re-recording a load of my songs.....

Best microphone I’ve used at a great price

A decent mic for the money but the freq response "voice" may not be to everyone's liking. It has scooped mids and boosted uppers which give it an overly warm sound with noticeable siblence. Sounds decent on acoustic guitar but think I prefer a flatter more natural response. Very different to it's big brother the c414 to which it is often compared.

fast delivery with prime used it couple of times and it sounds good is it as good as a rode mic I wouldn't know as I don't own one of them but it deffo makes the vocal sound really crisp and clear .so far so good so I recommend it

You pay for what you get and what you get here is a professional studio mic - Dont expect it turn a pigs ear into a sows purse, It will accurately record what you put into it - its great for vocals - If you want to add integrity to your home recording set up this ideal, you wont get better at the price point

I’ve had several condenser microphones over the years and this is the best one I’ve owned by far.

Habe 10 Mikros verglichen! auch teurere... diese Kapsel ist der WAHNSINN und das zu dem Preis. Sorry, aber da kann auch NEUMANN einpackern. Wenn es nach meinen Ohren geht... Stimmen sind seidig weich, werden bis in KLEINSTE Detail gezeichnet. nur ein geringer aber warmer Nachbesprechungseffekt. Das was ich gesucht habe, Mit diesem Mirko kann man selbst den Anflug von Traurigkeit in der Stimmer erahnen... jeder kleinste Regung.... Die Mühe hat sich gelohnt den Vergleich zu machen! Egal wo. Dieser Kauf lohnt sich für jeden, der prof. Aufnahmen von Stimmen machen möchte. Toller Job von AKG Tolles Produkt.

Microfono Professionale ottimo Qualità

It was a struggle to determine just how much to spend on a mic for our start-up podcast. Everyone says start small, you can always upgrade. Well, my friends, I don't want to always be upgrading. You spend more, in the long run, that way. There are other places to save money, but your voice IS the podcast. I read reviews for weeks, you know what I found out, people that write these reviews get a commission if you buy the mic from there link. Which made my skeptical mind think, just how unbiased are they? So I went to several guitar stores in my area and tested out every single mic they had in the store. $40 mics all the way $5,000 mics. What I found out was this: you know imediately which ones you hate. It comes down to how the mic makes your voice sound. I repeatedly found that the AKG mics work best for my voice. The sound is rich and warm without any tweaking. (Remeber I was testing in a guitar store, all controls were the same, just the mic was different.) When I saw the price tags, I had a mini heart-attack. Then I thought about my studio needs. So I did a mental budget check and decided I'd rather spend the money on the mic since it's the most important piece of equipment for a podcast. I couldn't be happier. It's solidly made and should last me for years to come. If I need to buy another mic, it will for more hosts on the show, not to replace this one.

Un clásico , muy bien

O microfone é um autentico c214. Porem a entrega foi ruim, não veio com a caixa, sem qualquer proteção, só a maleta, a caixa veio amassada, claramente sofreu uma queda.