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Living Culture Contributore Level V

Joined: 14 Oct 2007 Posts: 189 Location: Taipei
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Posted: Thu May 07, 2009 12:28 pm Post subject: AKG 414EB, to P-48 or not |
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I was planning on going to get a KSM44 this weekend, but I came across a used 414 for the same price. I think it would be great to get at least one industry standard mic into my mic locker.
However this is a 414EB P-48, which is a completely different design to the acclaimed EB. Has anyone used one these? _________________ Mandarin Chinese Voiceovers & Localization
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David Swinehart Contributor III

Joined: 11 Feb 2009 Posts: 90 Location: Kansas City, MO
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Ed Gambill Cinquecento

Joined: 18 Nov 2007 Posts: 561 Location: King, NC 35mi SE of Mayberry
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Posted: Fri May 08, 2009 12:39 pm Post subject: |
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If you are talking about a Shure microphone (medium diaphragm) vs. a large diaphragm AKG 414 EB P48 then the first question is, is the 414 in operational condition.
Next record some thing with it. Does it sound good to you ear? Then look into the housing, it can be done and see if the capsule diaphragm is secured with a brass ring, held in place with brass screws, on both sides.
This indicates a C12 capsule (the C12 id highly desirable). If the 414 is in working condition in all respects then I personal would lean toward the 414
I own a 414 EB and 414 ULS. It’s my understanding that P48 means the mic wants to see 48 v phantom and only 48 v. The EB and ULS are tolerant of lower and higher Voltage _________________ Esse quam videri "To be rather than to seem"
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Living Culture Contributore Level V

Joined: 14 Oct 2007 Posts: 189 Location: Taipei
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Posted: Fri May 08, 2009 2:47 pm Post subject: |
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Quote: | If you are talking about a Shure microphone (medium diaphragm) vs. a large diaphragm AKG 414 EB P48 |
The KSM 44 is the large diaphragm mic in KSM range, the 32 seems to be a medium diaphragm.
Quote: | Next record some thing with it. Does it sound good to you ear? |
I'd like to, but not sure If I will get a chance to test it.
Quote: | Then look into the housing, it can be done and see if the capsule diaphragm is secured with a brass ring, held in place with brass screws, on both sides.
This indicates a C12 capsule |
The C-12 capsules were stopped about halfway during the original EB series. So as far as I know the P-48 were never made with them. Although I would love to get my hands on those.
Turns out I was wrong about the pricing, so its considerably higher than 44 now, but still below average street price. _________________ Mandarin Chinese Voiceovers & Localization
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Lance Blair M&M

Joined: 03 Jun 2007 Posts: 2281 Location: Atlanta
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Posted: Sat May 09, 2009 11:11 am Post subject: |
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You'll use it for many different voices as well as your own? Get the KSM44 or an AT4050. Those are good on anyone, and I don't feel that way about the 414s. _________________ Skype: globalvoiceover
and now, http://lanceblairvo.com the blog is there now too! |
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Living Culture Contributore Level V

Joined: 14 Oct 2007 Posts: 189 Location: Taipei
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Posted: Sat May 09, 2009 11:42 am Post subject: |
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Quote: | You'll use it for many different voices as well as your own? |
Yes, actually for everything except me. I record voice-over, but don't do it myself.
I got the KSM, and did a few comparison tests with some of my other mics. I was surprised by the transparency it has compared to them, but lacked their warmth. Even a cheap Chinese condenser seemed a lot warmer. In fairness though, I just plugged them in and ran them through different paths at the same distance without searching for sweet spots, and the cheap condenser needs a LOT of gain to get a decent signal, so probably added to perceived warmth.
I was looking for something that was completely opposite to my NT1, and I think the KSM fills that need. From what I read about 4050, it would have similar qualities to the NT-1. _________________ Mandarin Chinese Voiceovers & Localization
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Lance Blair M&M

Joined: 03 Jun 2007 Posts: 2281 Location: Atlanta
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Posted: Sat May 09, 2009 2:32 pm Post subject: |
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Just employ the -15db pad and then crank the gain, that will warm the mic right up...and the KSM is low noise so you should be okay with that. I do this dirty gain trick with my tlm 103 sometime to beef it up. _________________ Skype: globalvoiceover
and now, http://lanceblairvo.com the blog is there now too! |
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Living Culture Contributore Level V

Joined: 14 Oct 2007 Posts: 189 Location: Taipei
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Posted: Sat May 09, 2009 9:38 pm Post subject: |
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Quote: | Just employ the -15db pad and then crank the gain, that will warm the mic right up...and the KSM is low noise so you should be okay with that. I do this dirty gain trick with my tlm 103 sometime to beef it up. |
Thanks, 'll give that a bash later. I saw the TLM103 compared to the KSM in some reviews. I wasn't sure why, as the TLM is in a completely different price range. Do they have any sonic similarities? _________________ Mandarin Chinese Voiceovers & Localization
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Lance Blair M&M

Joined: 03 Jun 2007 Posts: 2281 Location: Atlanta
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Posted: Sun May 10, 2009 10:07 am Post subject: |
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Well, many say the 103 is overpriced...for close micing yes. I'd say it's really more of a $800 dollar microphone, and the shock mount that comes with it is wildly overpriced. For a nice comparison of the KSM44 and the 103 go to transom.org and check out their mic shootout. I have a 103, but I'd be fine if someone did a "Folgers Swap" with me and gave me a KSM44. _________________ Skype: globalvoiceover
and now, http://lanceblairvo.com the blog is there now too!
Last edited by Lance Blair on Sun May 10, 2009 10:38 pm; edited 1 time in total |
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Living Culture Contributore Level V

Joined: 14 Oct 2007 Posts: 189 Location: Taipei
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Posted: Sun May 10, 2009 10:39 am Post subject: |
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Quote: | the shock mount that comes with it is wildly overpriced. |
That was definitely a selling point for me with the KSM. Some of the other mics I was looking at had separate shock mounts that are the same price as a SM-57 or more (Like the Blue Rings). I'm selling my Joe Meek mic because I refuse to buy a shockmount thats half the price of the mic.
Quote: | For a nice comparison of the KSM44 and the 103 go to transom.org and check out their mic shootout. |
I downloaded those files a few weeks ago, but haven't given them a good listen yet. Will get to it. (BTW, firefox's DownloadThemAll tool is great for mass downloads)
Quote: | I don't buy Shure anymore now that they're made in Mexico. |
I didn't know they had moved their entire line there. I thought only the PG series were made there. My KSM says made in USA, so could be older stock.
Quote: | I'd almost rather they do the metalwork in China and assemble and QC in the US like some other "manufacturers" do. |
Yes, not that I mind made in China products, but they do have a way of taking quality parts and fubaring them on the assembly line. My current guitars I made sure they were models made in Korea (Currently the best Asian country for QC) and not the Chinese models. _________________ Mandarin Chinese Voiceovers & Localization
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