Text is from the akg acoustics user instructions booklet 795 9100 u 0603. The akg c414 xls is one of the two brothers in the c414 legacy. Apr 17, 2019 the c414 xls left is more transparent sounding than the c414 xlii, but the latter has a presence boost similar to the legendary c12, which makes it quite flattering on many sources. Akg c414 xls reference multipattern condenser microphone. The c414 buls is the reference microphone for almost all comparative microphone tests and one of the most used condenser microphones in the world. Akg c414b uls has been used for years as an all purpose studio microphone for vocal and instrument recording the levels it reproduces are extremely high. All other parameters of the c 414 b uls are met with the additional advantage of having no limiting output transformer for the highlevel lowdistortion transmission of the very low frequency range. Acoustic and cinema equipment is an acoustics engineering and manufacturing company. The c414 xls reference multipattern condenser microphone offers a choice of nine polar patterns for the perfect sonic capture for every application. For those interested, there is a detailed company history here in 1953. Also, on the mics themselves, it says tlii only, on the front side, and says c414 b uls only, on the rear side. Made by the same manufacturer, akg c214 serves as a more affordable alternative version of akg c414.
Heres an excerpt from the book that covers the history of the 414. The c 414 family has been one of the worlds most widelyused and respected studio and stage microphones in audio history. Particularly popular in the states, the akg c414 tl2 was marketed as a vocal version of the buls. C 414 b tl is the exact same mic as the c 414buls except it uses a. Also, on the mics themselves, it says tlii only, on the front side, and says c414 buls only, on the rear side. With four selectable polar patterns cardioid, supercardioid, bidirectional, omnidirectional on the front and threeposition switches on the rear for attenuation and bass rolloff, the c414 b uls. Extra gainstages in this mic lowered the noise floor further, but also contributed the sound of the mic becoming further darker and more veiled. This did away with a potential failure point, and the microphone was a huge success for akg. I like the b uls the most, ive found it the only of the 414s that gave me what i wanted without beating them into submission with an eq. More expensive than the standard version, these are nice mics. Bought a mini condition b uls for my male vocals and acoustic guitars. Aug 01, 2016 akg c214 and akg c414 are especially popular choices for a condenser microphone. Akg c214 and akg c414 are especially popular choices for a condenser microphone.
Ive had so many large diaphragm condenser mics, some cheap, some expensive, that ive ownedtried in the past 20 years that i lost track of how many. Akg c 414 b uls the akg c414 b uls is the reference microphone for almost all comparative microphone tests and one of the most used condenser microphones in the world. The buls has a nicer presence without getting too harsh. The akg c 414 xls maintains the sonic character of the legendary akg c 414 buls, the longestlived akg c 414 model. The b uls version hit the streets in 1986 and enjoyed a production run of 18 years, becoming the most popular of all c414 versions. All other parameters of the c 414 buls are met with the additional advantage of having no limiting output transformer for the highlevel lowdistortion transmission of the very low frequency range. The akg c 414 xls maintains the sonic character of the legendary akg c 414 b uls, the longestlived akg c 414 model. It lacked a transformer hence tl or transformerless for lower noise. Tube 1 akg c12 8 akg c12a 1 akg c24 2 akg c60 1 bock 241 2 neumann km54 4. Designed for accurate reproduction and transparency, the akg c414 xls features the same capsule as the popular c414 buls. Akg c414 xls large diaphragm multipattern condenser reverb. Akg c 414 buls the akg c414 buls is the reference microphone for almost all comparative microphone tests and one of the most used condenser microphones in the world. All audio was recorded across 4 mics simultaneously into the preamps of channels 1.
The c414 xls left is more transparent sounding than the c414 xlii, but the latter has a presence boost similar to the legendary c12, which makes it quite flattering on many sources. Engineered for highest linearity and neutral sound, it has been one of the most universal and versatile large diaphragm microphone for decades. The c414 xls maintains the sonic character of the legendary c414 b uls, the most popular akg c414 version since 1971. The akg c414 b uls is about as versatile as a condenser microphone can be, which is whats made them a studio staple consistently over three decades. Either, the c414e, with cannon type connector or, the c414c with a connector to the din standard. View and download akg c414 xls user instructions online.
The transformerless b tlii came out in 1993, regaining some of the brighter sounding characteristics of the original. Designed for accurate reproduction and transparency, the akg c414 xls features the same capsule as the popular c414 b uls. A referencequality microphone especially used for accurate, beautifullydetailed pickup of any acoustic instrument. The c 414 b uls is one of the most accurate multipattern microphones available to the engineer. Bxlii became the brighter microphone and the bxls, the darker one. So, ive been considering upgrading to the xlii, but i want some clarification and opinions first. Oct 27, 2016 1986 saw the release of the c 414 buls model. Akg c414 buls vs akg c414 bxls vs akg c414 xls gearslutz. The b uls has a nicer presence without getting too harsh.
Having heard used the 90s tlii b uls, the 90s b uls and an xls, my opinion is that the tlii b uls is the most universal and best performer. With the introduction of the next generation c414 bxl models, akg sets new benchmarks for useful features, improved technical specifications, ease of use and available accessories. There have been many different internal circuit designs in the history of the c414. Engineered for highest linearity and neutral sound, it has been the most versatile largediaphragm microphone for decades. With five switchable polar patterns including cardioid, hypercardioid, figureofeight and more, the b xls is an incredible versatile instrument mic, and its high spl handling capability gives it a wide range of potential. So if you prefer a slightly warmer sound, the xls will do the trick. The akg c 414 xl ii mic shows the unique sonic signature of the highly sought after akg c 12 which enables lead vocals and solo instruments to be placed even in a dense mix. A microphone of quite simple design, early examples were based around the 12ay7 highmu double triode, together with the large v2148 output matching transformer. Bought a mini condition buls for my male vocals and acoustic guitars. With the introduction of the next generation c414 b xl models, akg sets new benchmarks for useful features, improved technical specifications, ease of use and available accessories. I like the buls the most, ive found it the only of the 414s that gave me what i wanted without beating them into submission with an eq.
It utilised a new nylon capsule and can be identified by the gold grill. The c 414 btl ii is a transformerless multipattern fet condenser microphone essentially, a transformerless version of the longlived c414 buls. The c414 ships with a foam windscreen, elastic shockmount, and a pop filter in a metal flightcase. If you need a brighter sound, the xl ii is your best bet. The akg c 414 xl ii condenser microphone is the successor to the famous akg c 414 btl ii mic. If you prefer a straight up warm sound, the b uls model is probably the warmest out of all of them. For those who like the akg c414 xii for vocals, the akg c414 bxls is perfect for all your instrumental recording needs. Akg has continually set new benchmarks for useful features, improved technical specifications and ease of use to answer requests from everdemanding recording studios, broadcast stations and audio engineers. Preattenuation has been incorporated to permit the increase of undistorted maximum sound pressure levels by 10 or 20 db for close up. Akg c414 xlii multipattern largediaphragm condenser microphone. Akg cite 15 improved features, though one of these relates to the depth of engraving and the colour of the infill, so clearly some are of more importance than others. Sound on sound studios is a stateoftheart recording facility located outside nyc in montclair, nj, featuring a neve vr and euphonix s5. An audio history of the akg c 414 can now be found on.
Akg pro audio c414 xls stereoset instrument condenser. In this video, i compare 4 different models of the famous akg c414 condenser microphone. One of the most interesting mics to me has always been the akg 414 because its. This is the discontinued model that has the c414 capsule in it. Xlsxlii so, ive been using an older akg c414 buls on female vox and i love it, but ive always felt that it could use a little more presence. Ive found myself always cutting 47khz every time i recorded, or receive a mix where a 414 was present. The c414 b uls is the reference microphone for almost all comparative microphone tests and one of the most used condenser microphones in the world. Mike cameron in fact there are two new c414s, the c414b xls and the c414 xlii, though the only performance difference between the two models is that the xlii. Akg c414 bxls vs xlii vs buls vs tlii comparison mic. It shows the unique sonic signature of the highly soughtafter akg c12, which enables lead vocals and solo instruments to be placed even in a dense mix. The classic c414 xlii multipattern largediaphragm condenser microphone from akg is a staple within the audio industry. Identical in appearance to the c412, the c414 continued to use the akg custom stand mount. The c414buls matte body and the last chance to have a 414 with a transformer. They are famous on the market, and have become the subjects of comparisons, discussions, and debates for a long time.
For those who like the akg c414 xii for vocals, the akg c414 b xls is perfect for all your instrumental recording needs. The xls, which is a little darker sounding than its partner is a total workhorse microphone and it is always my default choice for its transparency and wide frequency response. Having heard used the 90s tlii buls, the 90s buls and an xls, my opinion is that the tlii buls is the most universal and best performer. The akg c 414 is one of the most important and misunderstood microphones of all time. Sep 05, 2011 this post, curing condenser confusion. We must start this journey by looking at akg s legendary c12. C 414buls large diaphragm condenser microphone description the akg model c 414 buls is certainly the most ubiquitous studio condenser microphone in the united states, and very likely in the rest of the world as well. The c 480 b is part of a system designed especially for high transmission quality with maximum flexibility. The c414 xls maintains the sonic character of the legendary c414 buls, the most popular akg c414 version since 1971.
The evolution of the akg 414 microphone bobby owsinskis big. All of these improvements are answers to requests from everdemanding recording studios, broadcast stations and concert engineers, but with the basic sonic. Akg c414 xlii multipattern largediaphragm condenser. The c414 eb came to market about five years later and finally did away with the integrated stand mount in favor of a builtin xlr connector. I have heard it through very expensive preamps and all i can say is that its hard to go backwards once you have heard the difference.
The c414 xlii is the successor of the famous c414 b tl ii. The c 414 buls is one of the most accurate multipattern microphones available to the engineer. The unrivaled upfront sound is also wellknown for distant miking. Akg c414 b uls condenser micophone funky junk classic. Smart mix space tigersonic productions 119,322 views. It is the microphone of choice for miking up vocals, grand pianos, percussions, and any other sound sources with complex waveforms. Akg c414 b uls multipattern large diaphragm condenser. A new model, the akg c414buls, was the next microphone to emerge. As an update to the b uls, the longestlived c 414 design, the c 414 xls is akg s most neutralsounding 414 model. One akg c5600 condenser microphone in very good condition. The cuttingedge xls is intended for accurate and detailed sonic reproduction, but it also retains the classic c 414 signature of extended low frequencies, crisp top end, and a gentle lowmids dip that rounds off the harsh edges of.
This ultra linear series, would be akgs bestselling condenser for years to come. As an update to the buls, the longestlived c 414 design, the c 414 xls is akgs most neutralsounding 414 model. With five switchable polar patterns including cardioid, hypercardioid, figureofeight and more, the bxls is an incredible versatile instrument mic, and its high spl handling capability gives it a wide range of potential. It is the microphone of choice for miking up vocals, grand pianos, percussions, and any. The akg c 414 xl ii condenser microphone is the successor to the famous akg c 414 b tl ii mic. Its circuits provide, together with a trapezoidal output stage, a perfectly linear signal over the entire frequency spectrum, and at an intrinsic noise at the theoretically possible lower limit. Akg c414 buls overview the akg model c 414 buls is certainly the most ubiquitous studio condenser microphone in the united states, and very likely in the rest of the world as well. It is a subsidiary of harman international industries, a division of samsung electronics. Media in category akg c414 the following 9 files are in this category, out of 9 total. The akg c 414 xls microphone has been created to be just as popular. It is a descendant of akgs classic c 414 microphone, and the first of the gold grille series that resulted in the bxl ii and xl ii.