Nicely done. The best mic review I"ve seen in a while. I happen to own an AKG 535 and like it very much for Flamenco guitar. I'm not smart enough on microphones to say why; I guess it just sounds honest to my ears. Depsite it's rather dated vintage I have not yet found reason to replace it. Vicente Amigo has frequently used the 535 for his live performances although recently has used the KMS184 as well. Thanks for posting this review.
You, Antone, are the first person to do the test with absolute precision and usefulness. Excellent test ! This microphone was used by the Bee Gees at the legendary One Night Only concert, and it's the best naturalness and warmth of a handheld microphone I've ever heard.
I just discovered your channel as I bought a Rode Classic 2 last week. Then I saw your video comparing it to the earthworks, which sounded so much better. But would cost me 3 times as much. This gave me a bit of hope thorough as I wait for it to arrive as I liked the c-535 more when you started singing higher, it sounded more focused, and like a record. I found the extra bass in the earthworks a bit distracting and made following your voice harder work. I think that extra bass would be cut out by the mixer anyway. Disclaimer - considering my electric guitar induced hearing loss, my opinion on sound is only relevant to me though lol The earthworks sounds prefect for your voice in voice over though. When it doesn’t have to compete with any instruments It’s so flat and natural. Your voice doesn’t need any ‘flattering’ peaks in the mic eq, just need to tell it like it is.
The 535 started production in the mid 1980s. I first used one in 1985. Perhaps 1983, not 1973. Like yours, mine have all suffered from a degradation on the foam, which I replaced about ten years ago.
Great review! Thanks. C535 is a nice mic. BTW, there is not much difference between Cardioid - HyperCardioid mics from that time. I had compared D310 and D3800, and the difference with the angle is subtile.
Has to be said.. the more mics you demo, the more I am impressed with the Earthworks. That is a stunningly good microphone. Would be interesting to see how it, and others, maybe, perform with, say, an acoustic guitar? A guitar amp? A piano? Willing to bet that the Earthworks will cope beautifully with anything. It just seems to do it Right!
I'm afraid I can't remember. The easiet thing might be to get a Shure SM58 inner foam (which will be too large) and cut it down with slots until it fits. Maybe order two in case you get the first one wrong!
Hi Anton, could you just confirm which switch you are using out of the 4 switches. So are you starting at the top and working your way down towards the bottom. I use mine on the 4th or bottom switch for my Sinatra gigs but not sure if it's the best for vocals. Could you advise me please. Great post by the way.
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Nicely done. The best mic review I"ve seen in a while.
I happen to own an AKG 535 and like it very much for Flamenco guitar.
I'm not smart enough on microphones to say why; I guess it just sounds honest to my ears.
Depsite it's rather dated vintage I have not yet found reason to replace it.
Vicente Amigo has frequently used the 535 for his live performances although recently has used the KMS184 as well.
Thanks for posting this review.
Haha this is amazing already; how have I not seen this channel ??
You, Antone, are the first person to do the test with absolute precision and usefulness. Excellent test ! This microphone was used by the Bee Gees at the legendary One Night Only concert, and it's the best naturalness and warmth of a handheld microphone I've ever heard.
i like this akg, might have to get this for drums.
comparing it to your other two mics really helped.
thanks for the review!
Thanks for watching!
I just discovered your channel as I bought a Rode Classic 2 last week. Then I saw your video comparing it to the earthworks, which sounded so much better. But would cost me 3 times as much.
This gave me a bit of hope thorough as I wait for it to arrive as I liked the c-535 more when you started singing higher, it sounded more focused, and like a record.
I found the extra bass in the earthworks a bit distracting and made following your voice harder work. I think that extra bass would be cut out by the mixer anyway.
Disclaimer - considering my electric guitar induced hearing loss, my opinion on sound is only relevant to me though lol
The earthworks sounds prefect for your voice in voice over though. When it doesn’t have to compete with any instruments
It’s so flat and natural. Your voice doesn’t need any ‘flattering’ peaks in the mic eq, just need to tell it like it is.
The 535 started production in the mid 1980s. I first used one in 1985. Perhaps 1983, not 1973.
Like yours, mine have all suffered from a degradation on the foam, which I replaced about ten years ago.
Great review! Thanks. C535 is a nice mic. BTW, there is not much difference between Cardioid - HyperCardioid mics from that time. I had compared D310 and D3800, and the difference with the angle is subtile.
Thanks for the info!
Has to be said.. the more mics you demo, the more I am impressed with the Earthworks. That is a stunningly good microphone. Would be interesting to see how it, and others, maybe, perform with, say, an acoustic guitar? A guitar amp? A piano? Willing to bet that the Earthworks will cope beautifully with anything. It just seems to do it Right!
Great stuff. Where did you get the replacement foam? Im ordering one for my 535
I'm afraid I can't remember. The easiet thing might be to get a Shure SM58 inner foam (which will be too large) and cut it down with slots until it fits. Maybe order two in case you get the first one wrong!
This is how you review SON
I'm not totally sure but I believe this mic was a true condenser not an electret... I have two by the way. Thanks for the review... they're great mics
Hi Anton, could you just confirm which switch you are using out of the 4 switches. So are you starting at the top and working your way down towards the bottom. I use mine on the 4th or bottom switch for my Sinatra gigs but not sure if it's the best for vocals. Could you advise me please. Great post by the way.
That is correct, working from the top down. I seem to prefer setting 2, full output with bass rolled off.
Man, yeah, the Earthworks is smooth and flat. JUST got my 535 in the mail. Wish me luck!
Good luck, and enjoy.
May I have a question? Which microphone cable should be the best to AKG C535EB?
Hi, any good quality standard mic cacble.
How about trying the Audix VX5 and the VX10 ??
"Semi-Hyper" cardioid, perhaps??? 😎
Don't say Relic'd! Could start a trend in microphones, for that "pre aged" look! Bad enough in the guitar world!
😢 em