What's wrong with AKG C series mics?

[MadMax]

What's wrong with AKG C 1000 & C3000 mics?

I know everybody slams them and says they're only good for doorstops, etc., but what exactly is the complaint with the C-1000s and the C-3000?
Are they too bright? Too dark? Do they have an unuseable frequency response? Do they distort?
Could their sound come back in style in a few years? I remember when the Yamaha PM 1000's & 2000's were boat anchors and you couldn't give them away. I bought 2- 32 channel PM-2000's and about 20 extra channel strips for $300 in '97. Now I've seen them touted as "Japanese Neves". (Hey, they should call them JapaNeves.)

 

[Supercreep]

Harsh top end.

 

[MadMax]

By Harsh, you mean too much or a bump at a nasty frequency? Or just not smooth?
In comparing the response graph of the C1000s to that of the C451, I notice a rise in the HF response of the 1000 starting at 2K.
The 451 HF rise starts at about 5K.
The C1000 has a dip at 3K and starts to roll off at about 8.5K.
The 451 top end is smooth and starts to roll off at 15K.

For another comparison I checked the Rode NT-5. They have a crappy picture of the response graph, but it's pretty flat except for a little dip in the high end around 4.5K (it looks like).

So maybe it's the 2K-4K range that sounds harsh on the C1000s? Maybe with some judicious use of EQ, this mic could be made to sound good? Or is this in the region of turd polishing?

 

[petermiller]

By Harsh, you mean too much or a bump at a nasty frequency? Or just not smooth?
In comparing the response graph of the C1000s to that of the C451, I notice a rise in the HF response of the 1000 starting at 2K.
The 451 HF rise starts at about 5K.
The C1000 has a dip at 3K and starts to roll off at about 8.5K.
The 451 top end is smooth and starts to roll off at 15K.

For another comparison I checked the Rode NT-5. They have a crappy picture of the response graph, but it's pretty flat except for a little dip in the high end around 4.5K (it looks like).

So maybe it's the 2K-4K range that sounds harsh on the C1000s? Maybe with some judicious use of EQ, this mic could be made to sound good? Or is this in the region of turd polishing?

I agree with them being harsh. Can be used on mellower program material or just really far away from your scource.

 

[Supercreep]

It's not a turd, it's useful for certain snare applications and for field work when you need a battery supplied phantom power.

It dosen't play nice with cymbals in my experience. I've heard it sound ok on banjo and mandolin.

Once I got some other SDCs and an MD 421 I haven't picked it up again.

Maybe somebody could mod one? I don't know. For my first condenser, it was ok.

 

[DigitMus]

There's nothing wrong with the 'C' series - the C414 has always been respected (I have 3) . The C426B is often used for classical recording (I have one of those, too). The C4000B is one of the best kept secrets as far as "bang for the buck" is concerned. The C410, and its successor the C420, are among the most commonly used headset mics (Madonna, Garth Brooks et. al.) . You need to do a bit more research before making a blanket statement, and trashing a whole series of microphones you obviously haven't used, and know little or nothing about.

 

[Raw-Tracks]

The C410, and its successor the C420, are among the most commonly used headset mics (Madonna, Garth Brooks et. al.) .

No way are those AKG's. Garth and Madonna are using the Crown Cm311.
http://www.crownaudio.com/pdf/mics/102546.pdf

 

[MadMax]

There's nothing wrong with the 'C' series - the C414 has always been respected (I have 3) . The C426B is often used for classical recording (I have one of those, too). The C4000B is one of the best kept secrets as far as "bang for the buck" is concerned. The C410, and its successor the C420, are among the most commonly used headset mics (Madonna, Garth Brooks et. al.) . You need to do a bit more research before making a blanket statement, and trashing a whole series of microphones you obviously haven't used, and know little or nothing about.

OK, my bad. I meant the C1000 and the C3000.

 

[DigitMus]

Raw-Tracks, I don't know (or particularly care) what they are currently using; but I do know that they have both used the AKGs in the past (check concert footage and TV appearances). It doesn't really matter, my point was that a lot of AKG mics aren't crappy...

 

[0018G]

A C1000S is still my only SDC. I'm admittedly not in love with it for acoustic guitar, but I LOVE it on my Vega banjo, and I've had decent luck on upright bass(oddly enough). As money allows, I intend to expand my mic locker to include a pair of different SDC's, but while the 1000 may lack versatility, I feel I have found an application where it shines.

I also have a C3000 on loan to me which I have used for some vocals. It's not the cats meow for my voice, but it does work in some applications.

In my admittedly very limited experience, I've found that all mic's have a place SOMEWHERE. It's up to us to find it and use it to our advantage.

 

[slidey]

AKG mics rock

I recently had a D19C from the 60s & it was unbelieveable

I've used C1000s a lot & C3000 a lot & they're alright. Granted there are better mics out there. Value for money on the C1000 (in the UK anyway) is outstanding

I use the C1000+ direction cap for my live acoustic setup & I love it. I went through 6 different mics before I finally settled on the C1000 & if it's to harsh......EQ it out of the sound

I WANT EARTHWORKS.................my life won't be complete without them...................although I feel a bit better with the Neumann KMS 105 due shortly.....................

Bye
Slidey

 

[ch2os7]

c1000s

I have a c1000s. Works good on my squareneck resonator, my banjo, and not bad on harmonica. Don't like it on "my" vocals or acoustic guitar. I've read a lot of really negative things about it on this forum but there are a few people who seem to like it. I believe RAMI said he uses a pair for overheads and you won't find a better sounding drum kit. Check his stuff out on the MP3 Mixing forum.