AKG C 414 B-XLS (and B-XL II)

The infamous AKG 414.   This microphone is a legend.   I recall in college being told, "If you own a studio and only have one mic, it better be a 414,"

This is a quality microphone, great for almost any situation.   One of the most popular recording microphones ever.   Selectable polar patterns, db drop, and low cut switches make it well suited for all sorts of applications.   The polar patterns include: Omni, Soft Cardioid, Cardioid, Hyper Cardioid, and Figure 8.

Recording - Vocals sound awesome.   I like to use the 414 in its cardioid pattern for vocals unless I'm in a really nice sounding room then I'll pick a more open setting, since this microphone picks up everything.   I've used the figure 8 polar pattern scarcely, but when I have it is fun.   I recorded two singers at the same time on this mic in the figure 8 setting.   It allowed me to position the two singers separately on opposite sides of the microphone.   I controlled their relative volume by how close they stood to the microphone. Also, recording the two in the figure 8 pattern rather than in omni allowed for that nice upfront and warm sound (because of proximity effect).

I've had great success recording with this microphone as drum overheads, room micing, ambient micing, ensemble recording, violin, cello, sitar, hand percussion, just about anything you can think of it sounds good on.   And it's definitely my favorite mic to use when recording an acoustic guitar.

The AKG 414 set in omni, I have found most useful for recording ensemble type situations, and have recorded numerous demo sessions with just the 414 in a room set to omni.   I have used it in combination with two AKG C 1000 S to record a string ensemble with great success - check that story here: AKG C 1000 S

For live sound it is a good choice because it is made well and should stand up to the torment of the stage.   But it is still a condenser microphone, more fragile than I'd prefer to have on stage, especially since it is not cheap.   One venue I worked at had a pair of AKG 414s, which we used for drum overheads.   They always did the job, never broke, and sounded superb every night. - Adam

There are a few different versions of the AKG 414:

"C 414 B-XLS" and "C 414 B-XL II" - These two are the new versions of AKG's 414.   These microphones offer a 5th polar pattern, "soft cardioid", where as past 414's had 4.   These two sound very similar, where the XL II is designed for "solo instruments", basically an added EQ for heightened presence in the recording.

C 414 B-ULS - This is the older version.   No led display for the polar patterns, and 4 polar patterns.

If you want to know more on the history of the AKG 414 check out Story Of The AKG C414.