Founded in 1947 by Dr. Rudolf Görike and Ernest Plass, AKG known world-wide for their amazing microphones, headphones, and audio gear. As a staple of the music studio market, they have a rich history and a ton of different products to choose from. With that in mind, we wanted to take the time to share just a small taste of what the pro audio manufacturer has to offer.
AKG P420 Studio Condenser Mic
The AKG P420 is large multi-polar pattern diaphragm condenser microphone built with the cost-conscious musician in mind. But don’t let its slim price tag fool you as the P420 offers plenty of useful features and an overall great quality to earn it a respectable reputation with several of its owners. Among its most admirable features is its three selectable polar patterns: cardioid, omnidirectional and figure 8. If you’re familiar with the intricacies of each of these patterns and what can be done with them, the thought of all three in one mic is most likely a very enticing feature that screams versatility. But all the polar-patterns in the world wouldn’t amount to much if they didn’t perform well. Luckily, the P420 doesn’t disappoint. For a great studio work-horse condenser mic, look no further than the AKG P420.
AKG D112 MKII Drum Mic
The AKG D112 MKII is a revamped version of what many consider the go-to kick drum studio mic. With such a solid legacy behind it, AKG made sure to keep everything musicians loved about the original while adding a few sorely needed modern extras. Most importantly, this bad boy features all of the sonic characteristics that made the original an industry standard including high SPL capability, punchy EQ, and a tough as nails construction that should allow it to last years of use. As for the extras, the D112 MKII features an integrated hum-compensation coil that allows it to filter out virtually all noise, not to mention an integrated flexible mount (which makes positioning much easier versus the original). Aside from kick drums, the D112 MKII is also a great choice for other low-frequency sound sources including bass cabs and trombones. If you’re in the market for a kick-drum mic and not sure where to start, why not pick a microphone that is trusted and time-tested by professionals everywhere?
AKG C414 XLS
Like the D112 MKII above, the C 414 XLS is an updated version of one of AKG’s most revered mics. And just like the D112 MKII, AKG made sure to retain everything players love about the original while adding plenty of useful extras. A staple of the recording and broadcasting world for decades, the original C414 condenser is well known for its superb versatility, natural sound capture, and top-quality components. As for the versatility piece, it can be attributed to the C414’s 5 selectable polar patterns. With the XLS version, AKG decided to up their game by including 4 more options, giving this updated version a total of 9 different polar patterns to choose from. This makes the C414 XLS the perfect studio workhorse that can deliver superb performance for a wide variety of applications. And that’s just scratching the surface of everything this legendary mic brings to the table.
AKG K240ST Headphones
While AKG is well known for their huge lineup of excellent mics, they have a long history in the headphone business as well. One of their most famous sets is the K240, a widely used pair of headphones that has remained a common fixture in studios everywhere since it’s release in the mid-seventies. The main reason for the K240’s incredible longevity is easily its highly accurate and incredibly clear sound reproduction. If your main use for a pair of headphones is going to be mixing and accurate sound referencing, the AKG K240s are hands-down phenomenal. The highs are amazingly crisp while the mids remain crystal clear and detailed. Better yet, they offer a very neutral sound representation, meaning the sound you hear is the natural sound without any added coloration. Better yet, they shine in low volume settings, something that can’t be said with several other higher priced studio headphones. Make sure to check out the AKG K240 MKII for a version with nice extras.
