AKG C451b. Professionalism in the tiniest of tubes. (AKG C451B)

Member Name: McBeer

Product:	AKG C451B
Date:	23/05/09 (17 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Wide frequency range, pad and filter options

Disadvantages: Can seem a little pricey for the beginner.

The AKG C451b is a great quality, small diaphragm condensor microphone. It is phantom powered and has the popular used cardioid polar pattern.

This little, but popular mike is idea for the most sensitive situations. With a good wide frequency range 20Hz to 20,000Hz, exactly what is meant to be a humans hearing range.

The frequency response of the microphone is fairly flat, apart from a slight increase from around the 10KHz to the 15KHz mark. This however is a bonus, as it emphersizes the 'airy' sound that the microphone is famous for creating.

There are filters and pads built into the microphone. It can be set to 0dB, -10dB and even -20dB for some extreme cases. The filters included are a bypass of nil, 75Hz and 150Hz, once again making this mike even more adjustable for any situation.

With such a wide frequency and good lift for air in the 15KHz range, this microphone is perfect for almost all acoustic situations. Whether its acoustic guitar to pick up the shine and ring of the chords, or a piano to pick up every last note from the bass to the top. This microphone suits all. It is perfect for drum kit hi-hats and overheads with such a high frequency response. With a 75Hz and a 150hz pad it also can filter out any unwanted drum noise from things such as the tom-toms and the kick drum.

This microphone however, has been used in other situations by many famous producers. This includes using, taped to an SM57 to the snare drum. With the -10dB or -20dB pad on, it can pick up the brightness of the snare, and when mixed with the recording of the SM57 it can give an unbelievable sound. This is a technique I have used myself and is fantastic to experiment with.

This microphone comes at around the £200 mark, although I managed to get mine at £179 when the prices were slightly cheaper. This is very cheap compared to many mikes used professional in the thousands of pounds range. You can also purchase this microphone with a matched pair, making it perfect for stereo miking, whether its XY or coincedental. The pair will also make perfect use for two drum overheads.

Although the beginning producer or engineer may see this microphone as a little to steep in price compared to cheaper models avaliable, it is definately a purchase that can last a lifetime!

Why not try it yourself!

Summary: Ideal for all situations. I have never regretted getting mine!