AKG C214 Test & Reviews

AKG C214 Microphone Overview

Since the appearance of the legendary C414, many variations have appeared. The AKG C214 is one of them. It is a electrostatic transducer or condenser microphone with a large diaphragm. It has only one type of directivity: cardioid.

Offered at an affordable price, it’s an excellent alternative for a home studio. It’s also a great option for someone looking for sound quality without spending a fortune. The AKG C214 uses the same capsule as the C414. Since it offers only one directivity, it is more attractive in terms of price/performance ratio.

Technically, the C214’s large diaphragm allows it to deliver highly detailed sound. It can also handle a wider dynamic range of 143 dB while accurately picking up transient details like a professional dynamic microphone.It has an integrated capsule suspension that reduces mechanical noise and resonance. All of this improves the sound quality and accuracy of the microphone.

It is made entirely of cast metal. The microphone body provides a high degree of immunity to RF interference when placed in close proximity to a transmitter. Its durable, grayish-matt finish makes it shock and scratch resistant. It also has a rugged double-mesh grille to protect the capsule. The AKG C214 has an incredibly low self-noise (13 dB) and a very high safety margin.

The microphone can be operated with phantom power sources. The source can vary from 12 V to 52 V. The AKG C214 is among the ideal recording equipment for perfect sound reproduction. Thanks to its characteristics, it can be used for voice recording. It is also ideal for broadcasting applications. It is also the ideal tool for transcribing the sound of cymbals and snare drums.

What accessories are included with the microphone?

The manufacturer delivers the AKG C214 in an attractive carrying case. This not only secures the microphone, but also makes it easier to carry.

What you will discover in the case:

• The AKG C214 microphoneUne suspension élastique pour le microphone : H85
• A foam windscreen : W214

If you have opted for a stereo set, the case will include:

• Two AKG C214 microphones
• Two microphone clamps: SA60
• Two elastic suspensions for the microphone: H85

However, discover our best ribbon microphones. This guide offers you the best ribbon mics to choose for your vocal recording studio. You can also find out in this article everything you need to know about ribbon microphones, how this microphone works, its technical characteristics, its proximity effect, as well as the selections of the best ribbon microphones.

The controls

The AKG C214 has two types of selectors:

• A pre-attenuation selector
• A bass reduction selector

As well as the AKG C314 microphone, the pre-attenuation switch is located on the left side of the microphone. It will help you to raise the overload limit by 20 dB. You can then record close to your sound sources without distortion. With pre-attenuation, the output level of the microphone will not exceed the critical overload limits. Very loud sound sources can be recorded without overloading the microphone output.

The bass reduction selector helps to reduce distortion. Activating the bass reduction filter at 160 Hz eliminates unwanted rumble.

An example is handling noise or floor vibration. Activating the filter will improve the quality of the sound produced. The use of the filter also minimizes the proximity effect. This is an effect that is obtained when the application is very close to the sound sources.

The specificities of the C214

• Sensitivity (open circuit voltage) : 20 mV/Pa (-24 dBV ± 0,5 dB)
• Electrical impedance: ≤ 200 ohms
• Recommended load impedance: ≥ 1000 ohms
• Noise level: 13 dB (A)
• Signal to noise ratio for 1 Pa (weighted value A) : 81 dB
• Maximum sound pressure level at 0.5% distortion per harmonic : 136/156 dB SPL (0/-20 dB)

• Dynamic (A-weighted value) : 123/143 dB (0/-20 dB)
• Tolerated climatic conditions: Temperature :-10 °C à + 60 °C Relative humidity: 95 % (+20 °C), 85 % (+60 °C)
• Power supply voltage: Phantom power, 12 – 52 V
• Consumption: < 2 mA
• Exterior dimensions: 54 x 43 x 160 mm
• Net weight : 290 g

The response curve of the AKG C214

The response curve is a graph representing the sensitivity of the microphone. It represents the character of the microphone, because each microphone is like a the Beyerdynamic M160 for exemple, corresponds to a particular response curve. The diagram shows the peaks and troughs according to the frequencies picked up.

When we look at the response curve of the C214, we immediately notice the small characteristic dip of the C414 at 1.5 Hz. We also notice the big bump of the B-XLS in the high end of the spectrum around 12 to 13 kHz. The AKG C214 can be used on powerful sound sources once the pad is engaged. Its maximum sound pressure level can reach 156 dB SPL.

The AKG C214 has a flat frequency response curve from 60 Hz to 1 kHz. This gives it a very accurate and solid bottom end. Between 1 kHz and 2.5 kHz, it dips a few dB at 2 kHz. This allows it to avoid overpowering the highs. It is therefore among the best condeser microphone. This way, the sound of electric guitars will not be too shrill.

This variation in response is reflected by a rise in the curve between 2.5 and 5 kHz. It rises a few dB at about 3.5 kHz, before falling back down.

This is the guarantee of an exceptional sound quality. Secondly, there is a constant increase in response between 5.5 kHz and 13 kHz. This will give character to the sound during vocal and instrumental recordings.

AKG C214 applications

The AKG C214 is one of the best all-round microphones. It can be used on many types of instruments and for vocal pickup. Applications include the following:

• Vocal soloist
• Chorister and choir
• Violin
• Cello, double bass
• Acoustic guitar/Electric guitar/Bass guitar
• Transverse flute
• Clarinet

• Saxophone
• Pianos: grand or upright
• Trumpet/Trombone/Horn
• Bass drum/Toms

Vocal soloist

For an optimal rendering, the following conditions must be met:

• The soloist should be placed at a distance of 15 cm to 30 cm from the microphone
• The bass reduction selector must be activated
• We recommend the use of a pop filter, or the W214 windscreen supplied with the microphone.
• Finally, we recommend that you dedicate a separate track for better voice control

By the way, you can also discover our complete test guide on the Blue Baby Bottle SL microphone. This is a condenser microphone, the latest microphone from Blue. Discover on this guide the complete presentation of this microphone, its sound characteristics, its technical features, a verdict and opinion on this microphone.

In the context of a choir or chorister

For large choirs, we recommend the use of a pair of microphones. For the soprano, alto, tenor and bass registers, you can add a support microphone. By using an acoustically treated room, you can achieve excellent audio quality.

For the recording of several voices, we recommend a separate recording.

If you have one or two voices, you can use one microphone for two or three people.

In any case, we recommend placing the microphone in the middle of the choir in a semi-circle.

The AKG C214 for application on the violin

For an alto solo, place the microphone at a height of 1.8 m to 2.5 m and point it towards the soundholes.

In large string ensembles, use a pair of microphones in stereo. You can also combine the AKG C214 with auxiliary microphones near the microphones.

In alto, aim the microphone at the soundholes at a height of 2.2 m to 3 m.

For application in double bass and cello

Place the microphone about 40 cm from one of the sound holes. You can record the double bass or cello as part of the whole instrumental ensemble. To do this, please reduce the distance between the microphone and the instrument. This way the other instruments will not interfere with the microphone. In the case of the cello, you can add an ambient microphone. For best results, the level of the close microphone should be lower (about 20 dB) than that of the room microphone.

For the case of the acoustic guitar

Point the microphone obliquely at the space between the ear and the neck at a distance of 50 cm to 1 m. To obtain a very clear sound, we recommend the use of two microphones:

• An AKG C214 oriented towards hearing, placed at a distance of 30 cm to 60 cm
• A microphone with a small diaphragm: It should be oriented towards the space between the ear and the neck. The distance between the microphone and the instrument should be about 50 cm to 1 m.

For application with a flute

You can use two microphones for an exceptional result:

• A microphone directed and placed above the mouth of the instrument (to avoid breath noise)
• Another microphone placed laterally towards the instrument

If you choose to record with a single microphone:

• Point the microphone above the mouth of the instrument at a distance of about 2 m
• The microphone should be placed at a height of 2 m to 2.5 m above the ground

For the recording of a clarinet

Point the microphone at the lowest key. To reduce key noise, place the microphone at a slight angle to the instrument.

For the recording of Tenor and Soprano saxophone

We recommend that you point the microphone towards the middle of the instrument and at a distance of 50 cm to 1 m.

Other guide : Discover also our complete test on the AKG C414 XLII microphone. You will discover on this guide the presentation of this condenser microphone, the sound quality produced by this microphone, its technical characteristics, its application ranges, and reviews on this microphone.

For an application on the trumpet and trombone

For best results, you should place the microphone in front of the instrument at a distance of about 30 cm. Make sure that it is slightly off the axis of the horn. We also recommend selecting the pre-attenuation on the microphone. For breath noise reduction, you can use the windscreen supplied with the microphone.

To record the sound of a piano

For a grand piano, you can use one or two microphones. You will need to aim the microphone(s) at the midrange strings at a height of 1.5 to 2 meters.

To get a pop or rock sound, you must use two microphones placed about 20 cm to 40 cm above the strings. One of the microphones will be directed towards the midrange, and the other towards the bass at about 15 cm from the dampers.

The placement of the microphones on an upright piano is exactly the same as on a grand piano. The only difference is that the lid of the instrument must be open, and the microphones pointed inward.

To record an electric or bass guitar

For the electric guitar, we recommend placing the microphone 8 to 15 cm from the diaphragm. It should be slightly offset from the center of the preamp. The bass reduction and pre-attenuation should also be selected. To increase the sound quality, a room microphone should be used.

For the bass guitar, you have to proceed in the same way as for the electric guitar. However, we recommend adding a direct signal to the mix using the line output of the bass amplifier.

For recording a drum set

For an overhead recording, choose two microphones above the drummer’s head. You should place them at a distance of 80 cm to 120 cm. This technique allows for a very natural sound reproduction of the entire drum set.

For tom-toms and floor-toms, you can aim a microphone at each tom. You can also aim a microphone between two toms, towards the edge of the skin. To minimize interference with other instruments, turn down the treble above 10 kHz on the mixing console.

We recommend activating the pre-attenuation in the case of a bass drum, as the level provided can be extremely high. You can then place the microphone directly into the drum. To obtain a very clean and loud sound, place the microphone as close as possible to the drumhead. However, keep the microphone at a 45° angle to the head. For a much rounder sound, place the microphone closest to the sounding board. Ultimately, you can place the microphone up to 15 cm outside the skin opening.

Our opinion on the AKG C214

The C214 is a condenser microphone with a large diaphragm. It is very directional and will pick up different types of sound sources perfectly. The AKG C214 is the perfect type of microphone for your home studio. It is also suitable for large recording studios. It is the bandwidth, the sensitivity of the microphone, and its specific characteristics that make it so versatile.

AKG C214 Demo

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