question about the 414

[borntoplease]

so... i have been using a 414 a lot lately, not my own, a friend loaned me two. i have been doing some really cool MS micing and stuff. i have got some crazy stereo images. so this is my question... is there anyone else that makes a mic like the 414, one with all the polar paterns, but isnt quite so expensive? i would love to get one, but i dont know if i have 800 bucks to blow right now. if anyone knows anything let me know.

 

[producerkid]

well, there may be mics with multiple polar patterns (check some of the studio projects T series stuff, and the C3), but the sound character of the 414 makes ahuge difference. if you want the sound of two 414s, you will need two 414s. there arent mics that sound just like them. a pair of 414BLS can usually be had on ebay for "relatively" cheap. i use relatively because im talking anywhere from $950-1200 US. hope this helps

 

[borntoplease]

so what does the "C" mean? i see some on ebay that are 414s and C414s... whats the difference?

 

[Dot]

They're all C414's. You also don't need $800. There are 414 B-ULS mics that have been discountinued by AKG not too long ago but are still available for around $649. There's one here/

A great alternative to the 414 is the ADK TL. Transformerless with 4 patterns. They'll run around $450. I've been a 414 user for years and I've been using TL's in place of 414's. They're serious mics. Were used to mic Ray Charles' piano on the CD "Genius Loves Company" that just won all the Grammys.

 

[borntoplease]

A great alternative to the 414 is the ADK TL. Transformerless with 4 patterns. They'll run around $450. I've been a 414 user for years and I've been using TL's in place of 414's. They're serious mics. Were used to mic Ray Charles' piano on the CD "Genius Loves Company" that just won all the Grammys.

sweeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeet. i'll have to check them out... THANKS!!

 

[borntoplease]

i read the ADK web site... sounds sweet. it doesnt mention anything about them on vox though. i know it would work, but is this mic designed mostly for instruments? have you used them yourself on vox by any chance? i know these questions are all opinion and taste... but, i havent heard it at all. i was looking at the mxl v69me for a vox mic... would this compare to that in anyway... without hearing my voice through it, i know you cant tell me a black and white yes or no. but its kinda the mellow, low folk voice... somewhere between jeff tweedy of wilco and john mayer.

 

[Richard Monroe]

There are plenty of inexpensive multipolar mics, such as Studio Projects B-3, or CAD M179. I'd like to be able to tell you they are in a class with the 414, but they aren't. You can get the stereo picture alright, and they may even sound good, but they are an alternative to the 414, not a substitute for it.-Richie