Alternative to AKG C414B-XLII

[xstatic]

Actually, I have been using 4050's for years. To me, when compared to the majority of LD condensors they are on the "dark" side. Especially when compared to newer LD condensors that have flooded the market nowadays. I can also tell you that I am in no way the only person that find 4050's to have a "dark" quality to them. I can however also see how many people would view the 4050 to be a "neutral" sounding mic. It's really all relative. Either way though, I refuse to let you bully me into changing my opinion based on a few comments that other people have made. Especially not after years of using them on countless different things both in the studio and on stage. You are certainly welcome to your opinion, but maybe you should hop of your high horse and accept that others are allowed opinions as well.

 

[mrT]

Maybe the pot is calling the kettle black???

 

[BigRay]

Either way though, I refuse to let you bully me into changing my opinion based on a few comments that other people have made. Especially not after years of using them on countless different things both in the studio and on stage. You are certainly welcome to your opinion,

you tried to state with authority that it is a "dark" microphone and preempted the statement with "many people think that it is a neutral mic..it isnt, it is fairly dark" ... ...does that not sound "know it all" to you??

but anyway..sure it is your right to think as you want to think, but you also need to realize that if I disagree with what you say, I may just speak my mind about it..quit playing the delicate flower, eh? Im not one to bite my tounge when I hear bullshit floating about.

 

[xstatic]

Read the whole post where I also mention that it is a matter of opinion as to which mic certain users prefer as a workhorse mic and that definately reveals my intentions.

As far as "delicate flower" goes... I find that very ammusing. That is something I have never been called before. At least I speak form years of experience in the industry. My post was well stated and qualified. You however decided to post your opinion in return in a very inflamatory way and are the one who added all of the "anger" to the thread. Personally, I do not think that you should have to "bite your toungue". It might help every once and a while to stop flapping it around without giving a little thought to what you are syaing. The funny thing here is that I never said anything bad about 4050's at all. In fact, the reason I like them is for that very same quality. About an hour ago I once again reconfirmed my statement as well. The 4050 may have a little top boost to it, but the low mid range is pronounced enough that I consider it to be a darker LD condensor. Sometimes I love that, sometimes I don't. I can tell you this though, the 4050 definately sounds darker than a 414. Maybe not due to the actual HF response, but maybe more due to the way it reacts with other frequencies. You may feel free to call it neutral. However, I find 414's to be more "neutral" bordering on "bright".

As for you disagreeing with me, you certainly have that right and I am glad that you exercise it. It's good to have more than one opinion. Maybe you could try that sometime without having to make it such an angry thing and trying to sound like you are the only one who has an opinion that counts. But, if you feel that you look better by trying to make someone else look bad, please feel free.

 

[Ford Van]

Myself, I wouldn't call the 4050 "dark". I really wouldn't call it "bright" either. Compared to the 4033 it is "dark". Compared to TLM 103, it is "bright". I don't know, "about right" sounds good to me!

It does have a fairly rich low end compared to other sub $1500 LDC's.

 

[xstatic]

Well, I can at least see where you are coming from with your statement Ford Van. I guess for once I just missed putting an "in my opinion" in my post earler so all of a sudden Ray thinks I am trying to be the mic God. At least your comment was based in first hand experience form using them over the years (I am assuming) and not regurgitated copied third hand evidence.

 

[Ford Van]

I have used the 4050 a bunch! It is really my favorite mid level LDC!!! Others sound okay on certain things, but the 4050 just seems to work on a lot of stuff very well. I have been lucky enough to use a LOT of different mics in my life. If I was buying a LDC right now that would be my "work horse", it would definitely be a 4050.

Next would be a 4033! Gawd they SCREAM on acoustic guitars, and are just the ticket for singers with a poor top end to their voice!

 

[TheHunter]

I ended up with a MXL ( cheap bastard that I am!)

What MXL mikes you've got?

 

[MCI2424]

you tried to state with authority that it is a "dark" microphone and preempted the statement with "many people think that it is a neutral mic..it isnt, it is fairly dark" ... ...does that not sound "know it all" to you??

but anyway..sure it is your right to think as you want to think, but you also need to realize that if I disagree with what you say, I may just speak my mind about it..quit playing the delicate flower, eh? Im not one to bite my tounge when I hear bullshit floating about.

To be fair..............

Any mic sound depends on the room, monitors, pre-amp and a hundred more variables.

I have a 4050 and have used it for years on tons of instruments and through high end and console pre-amps. It can sound dark through transformer coupled pres. Each pre-amp loads a mic signal differently. The better ones have pretty close impedence values, but the low end pres tend to go all over tha place. I use the fact that the 4050 changes sound from darker to brighter by selecting the right pre-amp for the sound I am looking for. It makes the 4050 very universal in my studio. Some mics sound very much the same no matter what pre I put them through, and 1 mic I have changes completely depending on what pre I put it through.

But, in general. I would put the 4050 in the brighter catagory before I would say it is universally a dark sounding mic.

 

[BigRay]

Of course..that is a given.

but..once again, it sort of rubbed me the wrong way when he said that he 4050 is not nearly as "neutral" as a lot of people say it is. It's a bit of a "dark" sounding mic.. the fact that he said "it isnt" is argumentative. As if all those people are now somehow wrong because he says so. THAT was my only issue.

that is all.


oh yeah...X...I own 4 4050s and use them for live classical recordings AND my own recording at home, all the damn time. To these ears, no matter what preamp I run it through, from my pendulum, to my millennia, to my dav, to my electronaut, it ALWAYS sounds a bit trebly..this fact makes it very nice for diffuse field recording.

To be fair..............

Any mic sound depends on the room, monitors, pre-amp and a hundred more variables.

I have a 4050 and have used it for years on tons of instruments and through high end and console pre-amps. It can sound dark through transformer coupled pres. Each pre-amp loads a mic signal differently. The better ones have pretty close impedence values, but the low end pres tend to go all over tha place. I use the fact that the 4050 changes sound from darker to brighter by selecting the right pre-amp for the sound I am looking for. It makes the 4050 very universal in my studio. Some mics sound very much the same no matter what pre I put them through, and 1 mic I have changes completely depending on what pre I put it through.

But, in general. I would put the 4050 in the brighter catagory before I would say it is universally a dark sounding mic.

 

[xstatic]

Well, to each their own Ray. I guess maybe I did not express myself properly. However, using "it isn't" does not designate any omniprescent knowledge. That can still be an expression of my opinion and the context of the whole thread clearly denotes that. My statement "4050 is not nearly as "neutral" as a lot of people say it is. It's a bit of a "dark" sounding mic" can also still be my opinion. The second half of that statement however is the sentiment of OTHER people which I used to help qualify that not only is it my opinion, but that of other people as well. Does that have to be the opinion of everyone? of course not. The funny thing is that all the things that you have complained about concerning my post you have exemplified ten times worse in not only this thread but many many others. Maybe you should give that some though before you jump on someone else for something that you do on a consistent basis.

Once again, when compared to other LD condensors, especially within the AT 4050's price class and build style... "I" find the 4050 to be a bit dark. You can take that to mean a lack of high frequencies if you want, but you could also look at the larger picture. Maybe the fact that it does such a good job picking up the lower mid frequencies and tends to leave them a little pronounced lends to how I feel about it. Maybe the fact that the HF bump that it does have seems to be above where a lot of things really utilize contributes to that. Maybe the fact that the 4050... IN MY OPINION... handles high frequencies smoother than most budget LD condensors (which btw I feel the 4050 is...) lends to my conclusion. Maybe you should ask yourself why I feel that way in case maybe there is a reason before you decide to jump down my throat and read stuff into my post in whatever way you feel.

Basically, maybe you could just ask why and show a little respect before you try and pretend like you are the one that knows all about everything.

 

[Big Kenny]

Yup, that's the way I saw it

 

[BigRay]

before you try and pretend like you are the one that knows all about everything.

I give respect where it is due. I didnt disrespect you..I disagreed with you.
I could disrespect you if you like, though..

and yes...on the internet it is very important to word things properly. It is quite silly to say "I am sorry that you misinterpreted what I said"///WRONG. Word it right and there will be no misinterpretation.

I go on instinct. I dont worry about offending anyone. I say what I mean and mean what I say. Also...I dont really care if a mic is "budget" or not. Whether it works or not is my only concern. Money is just a number..

sure it is your opinion..but how did you state it??? did you say IMO??? it was you that said it wrong, not me, pal.

and I certainly dont know everything, but what I do know, I will be outspoken about.

You are too easily offended. You could report me to Dragon again.

 

[BigRay]

Yup, that's the way I saw it

thanks for that verbose bit of insight!

 

[Ironklad Audio]

Next would be a 4033! Gawd they SCREAM on acoustic guitars, and are just the ticket for singers with a poor top end to their voice!

it is definitely fact that they rule on acoustic guitars

am i gonna get flamed for saying that?

 

[Big Kenny]

thanks for that verbose bit of insight!

You're welcome, I figured there was enough mental masturbation going on to add to the pile

 

[Ford Van]

it is definitely fact that they rule on acoustic guitars

am i gonna get flamed for saying that?

It is the first mic George Massenburg grabs when he records an acoustic guitar, and he claims it is what he uses about 80% of the time! If it is good enough for GM, it is good enough for me! But I didn't need to know that he likes them to know I like them, but it sure validates my choice!

 

[Ironklad Audio]

same here!

i tracked some acoustic guitar the other day with a 4033 on the body and a rode nt5 on the neck, and it sounded awesome...that's my new go-to combo right there

 

[bigtoe]

AT doesn't make dark mics. no...really. i'd say the 4050 is way darker that the 4033...but just as prone to being metalic and edgy as the rest of their 40 series...

if your point of reference is the current crop of mics coming out on the low end...well yeah - it's dark.

later!