AKG Acoustics C 414 User Manual

Versatile.

Outstanding.

Absolutely astounding.

AKG SOUNDS BETTER

TheThe Reference

High sensitivity and extremely loHigh sensitivity and extremely low self-w self-

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noise - one of the quietest microphones noise - one of the quietest microphones
in the world (6 dBa-A only)in the world (6 dBa-A only)

High sound pressure level caHigh sound pressure level capability uppability up

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to 158 dB SPL and incredible dto 158 dB SPL and incredible dynamicynamic
range of range of 152 dB152 dB

Nine sNine switchable polar pawitchable polar patterns for tterns for

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placement and aplacement and applicapplication flexibilitytion flexibility

Rugged double mesh for unaffectedRugged double mesh for unaffected

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acoustics and high RF immunityacoustics and high RF immunity

Lock Mode:Lock Mode: all controls can be easilyall controls can be easily

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disabled for trouble-free usedisabled for trouble-free use

PPeak Hold LED:eak Hold LED: displays even the displays even the

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shortest overload peaksshortest overload peaks

TTwo-colour LEDs provide quick visual

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indicaindication of selected polar pation of selected polar pattern andttern and
output overloadoutput overload

Three sThree switchable bass cut filters andwitchable bass cut filters and

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three pre-athree pre-attenuattenuation pads tion pads

Cutting edge technologCutting edge technology and stay and state-of-te-of-

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the-art components ensure shortest signalthe-art components ensure shortest signal
papath and extra protection ath and extra protection against moisturegainst moisture

Elastic caElastic capsule suspension greapsule suspension greatly tly

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minimises structurally-transmitted noiseminimises structurally-transmitted noise
from chassis vibrafrom chassis vibrationtion

Both versions are also aBoth versions are also available as vailable as

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stereo sets (selected by stereo sets (selected by AKG's sophisti-AKG's sophisti-
cacated mated matching method)tching method)

Comes complete with metal carrComes complete with metal carryingying

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case,case, spiderspider-type shock mount H 85,-type shock mount H 85, poppop
filter H 85 and windscreen filter H 85 and windscreen W 414W 414

Designed,Designed, engineered and built inengineered and built in

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Vienna,Vienna, AustriaAustria

EverEveryone who is used to working with a C 414yone who is used to working with a C 414
will find the acoustic advantages of an will find the acoustic advantages of an AKG AKG
large-diaphragm microphone verlarge-diaphragm microphone very familiary familiar..
Since the mid-1980’Since the mid-1980’s,s, the C 414 has been the C 414 has been
THE reference microphone of the recording THE reference microphone of the recording
industrindustry and a proven workhorse for the stage.y and a proven workhorse for the stage.

C 414 XL IIC 414 XLS

The new C 414 XLS and the C 414 XLII offer The new C 414 XLS and the C 414 XLII offer
nine pickup patterns that enable it to choose nine pickup patterns that enable it to choose
the perfect setting for everthe perfect setting for every application.y application. For For
live-sound applications and fixed installations,live-sound applications and fixed installations,
all controls can be easily disabled for trouble-all controls can be easily disabled for trouble-
free use,free use, and the peak hold LED displays evenand the peak hold LED displays even
the shortest overload peaks.the shortest overload peaks.

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NewNew

FFor over 60 years,or over 60 years, leading musicians leading musicians
and engineers haand engineers have used legendarve used legendary y AKGAKG
microphones to camicrophones to capture their sound,pture their sound, soso
thathat their audience hears evert their audience hears every nuance.y nuance.
The C 414 family has been one of theThe C 414 family has been one of the
world’world’s most widely-used and respecteds most widely-used and respected
studio and stastudio and stage microphones in audioge microphones in audio
historhistoryy.. With new useful feaWith new useful features and tures and
even greaeven greater ease of use,ter ease of use, we are able we are able
to ansto answer the demands from our everwer the demands from our ever--
grogrowing worldwide customer base.wing worldwide customer base.

EverEverything aything at a glance - with the new t a glance - with the new
two-colourtwo-colour-LEDs on the front of the -LEDs on the front of the
microphone,microphone, important informaimportant information can tion can
be read out abe read out at a glance.t a glance. The current The current
setting for both preasetting for both preattenuattenuation and tion and
bass filter can be seen abass filter can be seen at the back.t the back.

PPerfect Sound for All:erfect Sound for All:

Play it safe:Play it safe:

Nine pickup patterns Nine pickup patterns

Nine pickup patterns provide the perfect soundNine pickup patterns provide the perfect sound
for everfor every application - without compromising y application - without compromising
anything.anything. Signal-bleeding from other sources Signal-bleeding from other sources
can be minimised quickly and efficientlycan be minimised quickly and efficiently.. More-More-
overover,, ffor on-stage applications gain-before-feed-or on-stage applications gain-before-feed-
back can be maximised.back can be maximised.

Lock ModeLock Mode

Live-sound engineers as well as engineers Live-sound engineers as well as engineers
for theatre,for theatre, opera,opera, or musical productions or musical productions
often use the same microphones for the same often use the same microphones for the same
purposes everpurposes every night,y night, and may even install and may even install
some microphones permanentlysome microphones permanently.. In Lock Mode,In Lock Mode,
all microphone controls are disabled,all microphone controls are disabled, so that so that
the settings selected for a specific applicationthe settings selected for a specific application
(polar pattern,(polar pattern, preattenuation pad,preattenuation pad, bass cut bass cut
filter) cannot be changed unintentionallyfilter) cannot be changed unintentionally..

Not just for a moment:Not just for a moment:

PPeak Hold LEDeak Hold LED

The polar pattern indicator LEDs also provide The polar pattern indicator LEDs also provide
an overload indication.an overload indication. With conventional peakWith conventional peak
indicators,indicators, overload peaks lasting only for a overload peaks lasting only for a
fraction of a second may easily escape yourfraction of a second may easily escape your
attention.attention. The new peak hold function makes sureThe new peak hold function makes sure
that you will notice even the shortest overloadthat you will notice even the shortest overload
peak:peak: If the microphone output level exceeds theIf the microphone output level exceeds the
overload limit,overload limit, the currently active polar patternthe currently active polar pattern
LED will change to red for about three seconds.LED will change to red for about three seconds.

AKG SOUNDS BETTER

Pushing the

Envelope

The legacy of AKG

Did you know that according to Billboard

•

Magazine every studio in the US owns at
least one AKG product?

... that AKG is known to be one of the

•

most innovative microphone manufacturers
with more than 1,400 patents?

... that AKG headphones have been used

•

for research in space on the MIR space
station?

... that the Royal Mail released a stamp

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showing the standard BBC microphones,
which were exclusively AKG products?

For more than six decades, AKG Acoustics has
been a leading manufacturer of microphones,
headphones and wireless systems for studio,
stage and broadcast that conform to the highest
standards of quality and reliability.

From a two-man operation, AKG has evolved into
a leading international manufacturer of audio equipment
(with over 1,400 patents)

The accumulated experience of working with
professionals and tremendous engineering know­how are the foundation of the unique sound and
popularity of the legendary AKG brand.

There is no greater evidence of AKG’s technical
mastery and spirit of innovation than its more than
1,400 patents in the field of electro-acoustics,
with more than all its competitors combined.

AKG… a name that has amassed an enviable
world-wide reputation for performance, depend­ability and service. A microphone for every need…
television studios, film studios, theatres, stadiums,
concert halls, opera houses, communication links,
schools, home video recorders… and the personal
choice of hundreds of performers. Among profes­sionals - the name AKG is synonymous with the
highest standards in quality, performance, and
dependability. Based on intensive scientific re­search, an extensive knowledge of acoustics and
measurement techniques, design competence,
precision tooling and meticulous manufacturing
standards, AKG has achieved many firsts in
microphone development.

www.akg.com

C 414 – Always Top of the Range

C 12 - 1953

C 12 A - 1962

C 414 comb - 1971

C 414 EB -1976

How a legendary product evolved

1953 – C 12

The brand-new C 12 Model AKG has set a new
benchmark. Besides excellent sound quality it
was the first Large Diaphragm Microphone with
a remote control unit for changing the pickup
pattern. One of the first customers was the BBC.
Meanwhile the AKG C 12 has become one of the
most sought-after microphones of all time.

1962 – C 12 A

The introduction of the C 12 A, the forerunner
of the now-classic C 414 design. The C 12 A
had a Nuvistor tube in its preamp section and
its miniaturised housing became a trademark of
AKG’s large-diaphragm microphones. This model
was marketed until 1976.

1971 – C 414 comb

The launch of the first C 414 model, the C 414
comb. This model had a special module with
a permanently-attached cable, but was a solid­state design that allowed upgrades as technology
improved and also permitted phantom powering
instead of requiring an external supply.

1976 – C 414 EB

In response to the emergence of 3-pin XLR-type
connectors as the world standard, AKG introduces
the C 414 EB with this connector integrated into
the microphone. The integral connector eliminates
the need for the cable module, so that the micro­phone can be easily used with different cables to
meet application requirements.

1980 – C 414 EB-P48

The launch of the C 414 EB-P48: the first model
with black housing. This model featured certain
technical improvements that lowered self-noise
and improved sensitivity and headroom made
possible by standardising on 48 V phantom power,
which was becoming standard, especially in
the U.S.

1986 – C 414 B-ULS

Introduction of the C 414 B-ULS, a model that
combined several milestones in the development
of the C 414:

1. ULS technology in its electronic circuitry

that achieved maximum signal linearity.

2. The C 414 B-TL, the first transformerless

version of the C 414.

3. High SPL capability and low noise made

the C 414 B-ULS the most popular, longest-lived
C 414 model. It was in production for 18 years.

C 414 EB-P48 -1980

C 414 B-ULS - 1986

- 2004

C 414 B-XL II

C 414 B-TL II - 1993

1993 – C 414 B-TL II

The C 414 B-TL II, the first sonic alternative to
the C 414 B-ULS, was introduced. This microphone
was designed to meet customer demands for a
microphone with more “presence” to ist sound. Its
capsule was developed with the sonic signature
of the original capsules used from the 1950s.

2004 – C 414 B-XLS / C 414 B-XL II

With the introduction of the Next Generation
C 414 B-XL models, AKG sets new benchmarks
for useful features, improved technical specifica­tions, ease of use and available accessories. All
of these improvements are answers to requests
from ever-demanding recording studios, broad­cast stations and concert engineers, but with the
basic sonic character of the legendary C 414
unaltered.

2009 – C 414 XLS / C 414 XL II

The new C 414 XLS and the C 414 XLII are AKG's
answer to customer demand. Nine pickup patterns
that enable it to choose the perfect setting for
every application. In addition, gain-before-feed­back can be maximised and signal-bleeding from
other sources can be minimised. For live-sound
applications and fixed installations the new Lock
Mode disables all controls on the microphone, so
that the settings you selected for a specific appli­cation cannot be changed unintentionally. The
peak hold LED displays even the shortest over­load peaks.

C 414 B-XLS

- 2009

C 414 XL II

C 414 XLS

AKG became the world’s first manufacturer of freely-vibrating,
edge-terminated one-inch diaphragms more than 50 years ago

AKG SOUNDS BETTER

Leading-edge technolog

Leading-edge technolog

y and state-of-the-art components

y and state-of-the-art components

shortest possible signal path for maximum performance

shortest possible signal path for maximum performance

converter stage for extra protection against moisture

converter stage for extra protection against moisture

The Anatomy

for great

Performance

One-inch
edge-terminated capsule

gold-sputtered diaphragms ensure
maximum reliability on the road

• ultrahigh precision parts with

tolerances inthe region of microns

• assembled with great care in our

factory in Vienna

Integrated capsule suspension

eliminates structurally-transmitted
vibrations that interfere and cover
the sound

Nine polar patterns

the one-inch twin-diaphragm capsule
enables to choose the perfect setting
for every application

Lock Mode

for live-sound applications and
permanent installations all controls
can be easily disabled • settings
cannot be changed unintentionally

Three switchable
pre-attenuation levels

controlled by the polarisation
voltage enable for close-up
recording or for high output
sources up to 158 dB SPL

Three switchable bass filters

two steep 40/80 Hz filters
@ 12 dB/octave reduce wind
noise or vibrations from stage
floors • One gentle 160 Hz filter
@ 6 dB/octave for minimising
proximity effect

Peak Hold LED

overload indication with peak
hold function • indicates even
shortest overload peaks

Transformerless Output

ensures 152 dB dynamic range • low impedance
over the entire audio spectrum • gold-plated
3-pin XLR connector contacts for loss-free signal
connection • extreme low self noise (6 dB only)

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• high impedance

• DC converter for

stable, noise-free operating

C 414 –

One Legendary Name –

Two Legendary Sounds

C 414 XLS

• maintains the sonic character of the legendarmaintains the sonic character of the legendary C 414 B-ULS - the longest-y C 414 B-ULS - the longest-

lived C 414 modellived C 414 model

• engineered for the highest linearity and neutral soundengineered for the highest linearity and neutral sound

• well-known as the most universal and versatile large diaphragm microwell-known as the most universal and versatile large diaphragm micro

phone everphone ever

• proven reference quality widely used for accurate,proven reference quality widely used for accurate, beautifully detailed beautifully detailed

pickup of any acoustic instrumentpickup of any acoustic instrument

• delivers the well-known C 414 Sound - for any applicationdelivers the well-known C 414 Sound - for any application

C 414 XL II

• the successor of the famous C 414 B-TLIIthe successor of the famous C 414 B-TLII

• delivers the unique sonic signature of the highly sought after delivers the unique sonic signature of the highly sought after AKG C 12AKG C 12

• enables lead vocals and solo instruments to be placed,enables lead vocals and solo instruments to be placed, even in a even in a

dense mixdense mix
unrivalled up-front sound also in distant miking applications like classical unrivalled up-front sound also in distant miking applications like classical

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music recording or drum ambience mikingmusic recording or drum ambience miking

AKG SOUNDS BETTER

Superior

Technology

Exactly what you expect from AKG

State-of-the-art technology and absolute reliability

The new C 414 Series combine proven reference quality, leading­edge technology and state-of-the-art components for an
accurate, beautifully detailed pickup of any voice or
any acoustic instrument. The solid metal housing
and transformerless output stage combine
to make the C 414 microphones
immune to electrical interference
from digital equipment, video
monitors or from RF from
wireless microphones or
other communications
systems.

Three switchable bass-filters
and pre-attenuation levels

The pre-attenuation levels are controlled by
changes in the polarisation voltage of the capsule
and permit increases of 6, 12 or 18 dB in the maxi­mum sound pressure level for close-up recording
or for use with high output sources. The switch­able bass-cut filters reduce sonic colouration and
the risk of low frequency distortion. The slope of
the 40 and 80 Hz filters is more than 12 dB-per­octave and these are especially useful in combat­ing wind noise or vibrations from stage floors.
The 160 Hz filter has a gentler 6 dB-per-octave
slope useful in minimising proximity effect.

Elastic capsule suspension

Structurally-transmitted vibrations that interfere
and colour the sound are almost completely
eliminated thanks to a new elastic capsule
suspension system developed with experts
for superior damping and excellent long-term
stability.

Nine Pickup Patterns

The twin-diaphragm system gives you a choice
of nine different polar patterns (omnidirectional,
wide cardioid, cardioid, hypercardioid, and figure
eight, …). The diaphragm is made from a spe­cial gold-sputtered plastic foil and the gold layer
is deposited on the diaphragm only on the outer
sides to prevent short circuiting to the back plate
if strong blasts of air are applied.

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A comprehensive range of accessories
for every application

Carrying Case

Spider Suspension

Microphone
Measurement
Curve

Absolutely perfectly matched
stereo sets

Realistic stereo recordings require microphones
with outstanding performance and excellent quality.
They also requires performance consistency and
accurate localisation from the pair of microphones.
Therefore, every factory-matched pair of C 214s
has been created from thousands of individual
microphones selected by AKG's sophisticated
computer-aided matching method. The result is
the highest possible correlation over the whole
frequency range and virtually identical sensitivity
for stunning, three-dimensional recordings.

Windscreen

Microphone

Pop Filter

Predictable performance
even in humid conditions

To prevent problems occurring and to minimise the
negative effects of humidity, all switching circuits
are located in a sealed low-impedance section.

To test the stability of our microphones' perfor­mance, they are tested in simulated climatic
conditions between -25° C (-13° F) and +65° C
(+149° F) as well as relative humidity as high
as 99 % (immediately below the point of conden­sation) above +20° C (+68° F). The new C 414 B
models can handle temperature extremes any­where and still deliver perfect performance.

max. 1 dB

AKG SOUNDS BETTER

Application Guide

We recommend the C 414 XLS and C 414 XL II
for the following applications in the recording studio:

Aufnahmequelle C 414 XLS C 414 XLII

Professional Studio Recording

Professional Stage Miking

Lead Vocals

Lead Instruments

Choir Miking

Lead/Solo Vocals
Backing Vocals/Choir
Speech
Acoustic Guitar
Electric Guitar
Electric bass guitar
Double bass
Violin
Cello
Zither
Grand Piano (classical)
Piano (Rock&Jazz)
Organ
Trumpet
Trombone
French horn
Tuba
Saxophone
Flute
Clarinet
Harmonica
Bass Drum
Tom-toms
Cymbals
Bongos, Congas

preferred

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recommended

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Drum Overhead Miking

Classical Music Recording

www.akg.com

SpeSpecificacificattionsions CC 414414 XLSXLS // CC 414414 XLXL IIII

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RReeccoo mmmmee nnddeedd llooaadd iimmppeeddaannccee:: ≥≥ 22..220000 oohhmmss
BBaassss ccuutt ffiilltt eerr ssllooppee:: 1122 ddBB//OOccttaavvee aatt 4400 aanndd 8800 HHzz,, 66 ddBB//OOccttaa vvee aatt 116600 HHzz,, sswwiittcchhaabbllee
PPrreeaatttteennuuaattiioonn ppaadd ss:: --66 ddBB,, --1122 ddBB,, --1188 ddBB,, sswwiittcchh aabbllee
EEqquuiivvaalleenntt nnooiissee llee vveell ((CCCCIIRR 446688 --22)):: 2200 ddBB ((00 ddBB pprreeaatttteennuu aattiioonn))
EEqquuiivvaalleenntt nnooiissee llee vveell IIEECC 6600226688--44 ((AA--wweeiigghhtt eedd)):: 66 ddBB--AA ((00 ddBB pprreeaatttteennuuaattiioo nn))
SSiiggnnaall--ttoo--nnooiissee rraattiioo rree 11 PPaa ((AA--wweeiigghhtteedd)):: 8888 ddBB
MMaaxxiimmuumm SSPPLL ffoorr 00..55 %% TTHHDD:: 114400//114466//115522//115588 ddBB SSPPLL (( 00//66//1122//1188 ddBB PPaadd))
DDyynnaamm iicc rraannggee ((AA--wweeiigghhtteedd)):: 113344//114400//114488//115566 ddBB ((00//--66//--1122// --1188 ddBB))
EEnnvviirroonnmmeenntt:: TTemmppeerr aattuurree rraannggee:: --1100°° CC ttoo ++6600°° CC
RReellaattiivvee hhuummiiddiittyy:: 9955%% ((++2200°° CC)),, 8855%% ((++6600°° CC))
PoPowweerriinngg:: 4488 VV PPhhaannttoomm ppoowweerr
CCuurrrreenntt DDrr aaiinn:: ccaa.. 44..55 mmAA
CCoonnnneeccttoorr:: 33--ppiinn XXLLRR ttoo IIEECC
DDiimmeennssiioonnss:: 5500 xx 3388 xx 116600 mmmm ((22..00 xx 11..55 xx 66..33 iinn..))
NNeett wweeiigghhtt:: 330000 gg ((1100..66 oozz ..))

TThh iiss pprroodduucctt ccoonn ffoorrmmss tt oo ssttaannddaarrddss EENN 6611 000000--66::22000011 aanndd EENN 6611 000000--66-- 33::22000011..

PPaatt eennttss CC 441144 XXLLSS:: AAT 339955..222255,, DDEE 44..110033..7788 44,, JJPP 22..881155..448888,, PaPattee nntt ss CC 441144 XXLL IIII:: AAT 339955..222255,, DDEE 44..110033..7788 44,, JJPP 22 ..881155..448888,, AAT 440000..991100

++

//– 00..55 ddBB ((--3344 ddBBVV))

(( IIEECC 6611993388))

OOmmnniiddiirreeccttiioonnaall

WWiiddee CCaarrddiiooiidd

CCaarrddiiooiidd

HHyyppeerrccaarrddiiooiidd

CC 414414 XXLSLS

CC 414414 XXLL IIII

FFiigguurree--eeiigghhtt

AKG SOUNDS BETTER

www.akg.com

AKG Acoustics GmbH

Lemböckgasse 21–25, 1230 Vienna /AUSTRIA, phone: + 43 1 86654 0
e-mail: [e-mail]

AKG Acoustics, U.S.

8400 Balboa Boulevard, Northridge, CA 91329, U.S.A., phone: + 1 818 920 3212
e-mail: [e-mail]

For other products and distributors worldwide visit www.akg.com
Specifications subject to change without notice.

AKG SOUNDS BETTER