Akg C1000

[Spillenger]

I am told by some that while the AKG C1000 mic is fine for recording acoustic instruments, it is not meant to be used in live performance. Others say, "Hogwash."

What is the correct answer?

 

[pundit]

The Rode NT5 or possibly the new Studio Projects C4's would be a better bet. The C1000's can sound a bit 'peaky' and harsh on certain instruments. They may have been a good value budget mic a few years back but there are plenty of better contenders around these days.

 

[Richard Monroe]

The hogwash is that it's good for anything.-Richie

 

[pundit]

The hogwash is that it's good for anything.-Richie

Well, I was trying to be polite!

 

[Track Rat]

I believe the question is how suitable it is for live use. I have a pair of 1000's and they're OK in the studio but not for acoustic stringe instriments. The best use I've ever gotten out of them is tom tom mics and occasionally on snare. In a live situation though, I have to say they suck.

 

[cavedog101]

Why dont we all just get honest and tell it like it is...THESE mics Suk in most applications.

 

[Spillenger]

Some of you guys need to take a Valium. I have used the AKG C1000S on many occasions for home recording and, aside from some exaggerated brightness, which I can easily tweak on my Boss BR-8, it's been very good to me. My 1971 Guild D-35 acoustic sounds wonderful on it. It was a gift, so I didn't actually shop around for it. But for $200, it is just fine for my purposes. When I have more money to spend on a higher-end microphone, I'm sure I will get something snazzier. But to say this microphone "sucks" is a little nuts. "Good for the money, but you can do a lot better" seems more reasonable.

 

[littledog]

Well Spillenger, it's all relative, of course.

I'm sure you can find a lot of mics in existence that sound a lot worse than the C1000, and if those are what you're comparing it to than it is a good choice.

The problem is that a lot of people have mics that are a whole lot better than the C1000, sometimes costing even less money. And when they hear them side by side, the natural reaction is to say: "Gee, that C1000 sucks!" Even on drugs, one might arrive at the same conclusion.

It's true you can mitigate the ugliness with corrective EQ, and if you already own the mic and have nothing better, then no sense letting it go to waste. But in the universe of small diaphragm condensers, the C1000 definitely resides towards the bottom of the barrel.

As always, these opinions are subjective. It's entirely possible that there is someone out there who actually prefers the C1000 to any other choice. I just wouldn't want them tracking MY music!

 

[wjgypsy]

What is the correct answer?

There is no "CORRECT" answer. It all depens on what YOU like. The guy that runs sound for my dad ( when he plays) uses 3 mics: (1) akg c300b in the middle, (2) c1000b on each side. he uses them for guitar solos and fiddles. I think they sound real good, but i have not heard them in the studio.

 

[Flatpicker]

Re: Re: Akg C1000

There is no "CORRECT" answer. It all depens on what YOU like. The guy that runs sound for my dad ( when he plays) uses 3 mics: (1) akg c300b in the middle, (2) c1000b on each side. he uses them for guitar solos and fiddles. I think they sound real good, but i have not heard them in the studio.

Hi, Zeke. Who's your dad?

 

[Flatpicker]

I interpreted the question more like “Is the C1000 suitable for live use?”.

It does have an adapter that gives it a hyper-cardioid pattern which should work great at preventing feedback.

Let me turn it around and ask, do any of the MXL/Rode/Studio Projects mics work well as live sound mics?

 

[rcktdg]

Well I would say c1000's are a breeze to sing through in a live situation. I use one on gigs all the time and here's what I like...

It's sensitive enough that I don't have to get right on top of it to cut through. It also has enough dynamic range that I can hit it pretty hard too.

Another thing I like is that it's long enough to get by using a straight stand rather than a boom. I play guitar and I don't like boom stands which I need if I have to sing through a 58.

Generally I can hear myself better through a c1000 than any dynamic mic I have ever used. Maybe it's just because it's a condensor, I don't know. I think it works for me.

I mainly play in rock and blues based bands. I've used a c1000 for 4 years.

 

[BobOC]

Well, I kinda like mine....

True, it was "free" to me from a web site, with the purchase of my Akai DPS16. But it seems to be a nice match for my Epiphone acoustic, and I've used it while recording some jam sessions with my bluegrass buddies.

By the way, there is an article in one of the recording magazine's this month (I believe it's "Sound on Sound") profiling a guy who travelled around the world and recorded local musicians in a wide variety of settings and styles. The recordings were released on a cd, and a documentary film was also made. The main gist of the story was that it was all recorded on a laptop computer. It did, however, mention that the two microphones used were an AKG C1000 and an SM58. There are quite a few photos of the C1000 in action.

 

[wjgypsy]

Re: Re: Re: Akg C1000

Hi, Zeke. Who's your dad?

He's no one famous or nothing, But he owns a Music Park here in Ga where he has weekly concerts and 3 BIG Fest a year. He dos'nt play the type of music that i play (rock/metal) he plays Bluegrass and Old (30's-60's) country. But i can dig it.

ZEKE

 

[Robert D]

You know, It's all about placement with these mics. Properly placed they sound absolutely brilliant, and yield spectacular sonic results. Here, try this method - take an C1000 and carefully place it precisely over the center of an empty steel garbage can, not a plastic one, they don't have the proper resonance. Now raise the C1000 exactly 16 inches above the rim, held perfectly horizontal.
Ok, now let go....... See, isn't that a great sound!

(apologies to C1000 owners. I don't know why I hate this mic so much, I just do. But if it works for you, there's nothing wrong with that.)
RD

 

[littledog]

To be fair, what does make this mic a useful option for remote recording is that it can be battery powered (no phantom necessary), it's extremely rugged (for a condenser), and it can be quickly transformed into a lethal weapon:

You will need two C1000's. Then you will need to purchase a 6 inch cable with XLR female connectors at both ends. Plug each end into the base of each C1000.

Voila! One of the finest pair of nunchakus money can buy!