AKG c4000b

[cello john]

I have the opportunity to buy this mic on sale (not a "steal" but less than retail...) And would like a little pre-tryout input...
I would use this mic for recording acoustic strings...cello, violin, guitar etc...adn wonder if anyone has experience to share.
My pres are ART DPS and RNP's...

Thanks in advance...

[Dot]

The only "thousand" series mic by AKG that I think is worth beans is the C2000.
The C1000, C3000 and C4000 are kinda' dogs compared to other mics on the market in similar prices ranges - or even less, actually.

Do you have a top $ budget for a mic?

Dan Richards
Digital Pro Sound
The Listening Sessions

[DigitMus]

Hmmm...that's what makes the world so interesting, different strokes for different folks. I personally don't care for the others, but I like the 4000B. It's the only mic under $2500 that ever made my voice sound good. It isn't exactly an all purpose LDC, but I would think it might do well on strings, as the high-mids don't seem too hyped, and there's some added richness in the low mids. If you can get a good deal, I'd give it a try. FWIW I usually use DPAs or Earthworks omnis for strings, or sometimes a Royer SF-12.

Scott

[Richard Monroe]

Regarding C2000B, C1000s, and C3000B, I agree with Dot. The 2000B is a cheap, versatile workhorse. C3000B and C1000S make pretty good doorstops. The 4000B is a big unknown to me. If you do buy it, post up a review. I think general unhappiness with the 1000 and 3000 have caused a lot of people to just overlook the other 2.-Richie

[Flatpicker]

Originally posted by DigitMus
Hmmm...that's what makes the world so interesting, different strokes for different folks. I personally don't care for the others, but I like the 4000B. It's the only mic under $2500 that ever made my voice sound good... Scott

Scott, that's intresting because I don't know that I've ever heard the 4000B. What type voice do you have and what does it do to your voice that makes you like it so well?

[screws]

I personally like the sound of the C4000b and find it quite useful on a number of sources. Ty Ford, who reviews many products for some of the pro audio rags liked it too. Here's a link to his review.

ftp://ftp.jagunet.com/pub/users/tfor...AKG_C4000b.txt

My only gripe is the cardioid pattern seems a bit wide to use in a nasty sounding room. I find postitioning to be a bit more critical than with some of my other LD condensors.

[cello john]

Still undecided about trying it...I have an AT 4040 which I'm very happy with for acoustic strings, but the multi-pattern plus decent price have me pondering. Maybe I can try it without having to buy and return...we'll see.

Thanks for all the input.

[DigitMus]

Originally posted by Flatpicker
Scott, that's intresting because I don't know that I've ever heard the 4000B. What type voice do you have and what does it do to your voice that makes you like it so well?

Hmm, that's a tough question as I have a hard time being objective about my voice, and I don't really consider myself a singer. My voice is somewhere between a tenor and baritone, and the throat vs. chest sound seems to vary, making certain notes seem to thin out or thicken. The 4000B tends to balance the tonal qualities better than other low cost mics. It even does a better job than the Neumann M149 & TLM103 - though it's not as good as my Brauners or E47.

Scott

[Thom IV]

FWIW
I've used the c3000 (NOT the c3000b) for the past couple of years. It's a fairly bright mic compared to my sm57, but not quite as bright as my shure beta 87a condenser. These condensers work for my vox (lower, darker male). I've struggled with finding a good guitar sound with these mics, however.

I bought a c4000b a few months ago. Compared to the others, it's a much warmer, darker sounding microphone. Works for my guitar (Taylor-brighter sounding). Good for my vox too, although I still prefer a brighter 'flavor' in a vocal mic for my vox. The C4000b would probably work on higher, brighter female vox.

I'm thinking a bout an SP tube condenser next...

Tom