With new microphones being released all the time, I don't think the C214 gets the attention it deserves. This mic is well known in recording studios and while the C414 gets most of the glory, the C214 is a workhorse microphone that can level up recording quality without breaking the bank. It isn't meant to be neutral like an NT1, but many vocalists and musicians love the tone it provides. Steve Vai, Laura Brehm, and Sir Mix-A-Lot know the sound they are looking for!
Your comparisons are one of the best on the internet. Wether it your studio setting or your voice , one can clearly hear the differences between the mics , unlike on other channels.
Very solid review - definitely deserves more upvotes and attention! I'm now very tempted to replace my vintage RØDE NT2 (pre A-era) with this one. EDIT: Damn it. 3 hours passed since I posted the above. And I just pulled the trigger as I found a used one in my local area for a very reasonable price - and in pristine new condition. I'm picking it up in 2 hours... THANKS a LOT @askdrtk, I'm now scared to subscribe to your channel in case you'll continue to cost me money. :P
Sorry it has taken a while to get back to you, but that is hilarious lol… I’m glad I’m not the only one that experiences “gear escalation…” Hope you’re enjoying the new C214. I’ve found it to be a good one to have in the locker. Cheers!
All of the cheaper mics have a metalic sound in the 3K range. Easy to tell the difference on his voice. For micing guitar amps you can hear the diaphragm resonating in the top end. You hear the mic, rather than the instrument. This is because they build in resonance on the diaphragm to increase the high freq response. The problem is that you are hearing the high freq sound of the mic, rather the instrument.
i should have bought the sm7b. For singing vocals it sounds much better (my friend has one that i was able to test drive) I hate to say I regret buying the c214 but I have yet to find an area it shines in =/. Its slightly better than my 100 dollar scarlett mic
The c214 is not my goto for vocals either, but I like the way it sounds on a number of acoustic sources (guitar, violin, cello in particular) as well as when used as room mics in pairs, especially when I pair it with a transformer-based preamp like a 1073 or even a 610 for a more vintage sound. Many people think of the 7B as a "broadcast mic" but there have been many great vocals, on records we have all heard, recorded with it. (This why the mic locker seems to keep growing...lol) Thanks for sharing your experience with both mics.
@@askdrtk thanks for the helpful info I can imagine it being really nice for my acoustic At least if I have a hard time selling it I can get some use out of it I caved and bought the shure today lol
I tend to record flat and EQ later so I have the most audio information to work with, but the low cut is not excessive on the 214 and does often work well on darker voices or when the vocalist produces extreme low transients. It can be useful when isolation isn't the best and low rumble is being picked up by the microphone. Hope this helps out.
Nice...not sure what you are using now, but these pickup considerable detail / subtleties of your kit without becoming lost or compromised by the sound pressure from kick and snare. Of course positioning matters, but I have found them pretty forgiving for recall when you need to tear down and setup often. I'd appreciate hearing what you think when you get a chance to try them out.
@@askdrtk I have recorded 40 covers using Sterling 170 if I got the model correctly, have to check, I also have old Shure Beta Green condenser pencils and AKG430 I use for the Ride and Hi Hats,
Man those BG 4.0's are workhorse microphones...not hyped and give you what you hear. I haven't used the Sterling, but I've heard they provide a nice vintage tone without giving up too much detail...there are still many reluctant to go with ribbons, but the tech has come a long way. (I like the 430's, you see them around a lot for a reason.)
@@askdrtk The BD 4.0 were my first choice back in 95' together with Sennheiser v5 I believe and was very happy with the sound I got out of it live and studio; I still have those retired of course, never got rid of them, today I got for the drums Shure Beta 98AMP/C mainly, got an army of those literally, LOL, 6 or 7 but if asked to have a choice I would like to get Earthworks, also The Audis, specially the SCX25a I would love to see a video comparison of those with the AKGC214 because a pair of the Audi is in the same price range as the AKG's, my current choices that I have not tried just yet but have them in my arsenal also include couple of Audio Technica; one for Bass Drum Double mic AE2500, this one will replace my trusted AKGD112 and my latest Audi D6, it is an expensive yet more versatile mic to use on a bass drum and it took me a while to release the wallet on it, I am sure it will bring wonders out of my custom 23" bass drum. For Hi Hat because the way I set up I am going with another Audio Technical ATM450 side address mic. So many choices out there! Thanks for your video comparison!
I always enjoy hearing about "gear escalations." I suppose in some way it helps me justify my own...lol. Kidding aside, I love gear and the way it inspires mE to make music as I'm sure you do as well. Keep up the great music and enjoy the fantastic collection of gear you have to work with!
Good review! Have been looking into the AKG mics since I can get a good deal on them now C214 (365 usd) and C314 (500usd). I´m leaning slightly more towards the C314 since it has a better self noise and S/N ratio but it seems a bit more hissy. Do you have any experience with the C314 or should I be fine with the C214?
Thanks! Both microphones are an excellent value. I have used both as well as the 414XLII and XLS. I have always found specs do not tell the whole story and make decisions based on tone and dynamics more than anything else. While the 314 is technically quieter and has a better S/N ratio compared to the 214, both are quiet enough to record even the most detailed sources. I find the 214 has more of the character of the 414XLII whereas the 314 sounds more like the 414XLS to me…I am really splitting hairs here…and if I wasn’t listening back-to-back, I would not be able to tell the difference reliably. If you will benefit from the additional versatility of the 314 (polar pattern can be very useful for more than just directionality), I would pickup the 314 as the value is undeniable, but otherwise, a 214 for 365 usd will provide outstanding results. I know this isn’t a direct answer, but I hope it helps out.
@@askdrtk helps very much I appreciate your answer! I also fell in love with the sound of the Austrian Audio OC18. Beautiful mic and as you probably know the people behind it used to work at AKG. If I have to go with AKG I'd go with the C314 since I like the C414XLS better but i might save for the AA OC18. Again thanks for your answer you microphone reviews are really nice!
@@kriLdaChrixt I love my 414 XLS for its fidelity, flatness, and dynamics. It's the most true to source mic I've used. If the 314 is a less expensive version of the same mic with the same capsule, and if you want a mic for accurate reproduction, the 314 sounds like the way to go. But as a mid-price vocal mic, I really like this 214. I teach studio recording to middle school students, and I've just begun using a 414 XLS. It's gotten some surprising results from my students. (Kids' voices are not the same as adult female vox, and it's not always easy to find the right mic.) But the really cool result was when I recorded a school fire alarm (without them knowing it) with the XLS, then later played it back while they were all on monitor headphones. Three of them threw off the headphones and thought it was real! I've also had a student online over Zoom hear a playback over my home stereo, maybe 8' from my speaker, through the XLS, and he thought I was running the sound direct. If the 314 sounds like the 414 XLS, I'd say that at half the price, it's worth it!
Thanks for sharing. The 990 has been a popular choice for some time. There is even a CineMag based transformer rebuild for it that has been popular with a number of voiceover artists!
With new microphones being released all the time, I don't think the C214 gets the attention it deserves. This mic is well known in recording studios and while the C414 gets most of the glory, the C214 is a workhorse microphone that can level up recording quality without breaking the bank. It isn't meant to be neutral like an NT1, but many vocalists and musicians love the tone it provides. Steve Vai, Laura Brehm, and Sir Mix-A-Lot know the sound they are looking for!
Your comparisons are one of the best on the internet. Wether it your studio setting or your voice , one can clearly hear the differences between the mics , unlike on other channels.
Very solid review - definitely deserves more upvotes and attention! I'm now very tempted to replace my vintage RØDE NT2 (pre A-era) with this one.
EDIT: Damn it. 3 hours passed since I posted the above. And I just pulled the trigger as I found a used one in my local area for a very reasonable price - and in pristine new condition. I'm picking it up in 2 hours... THANKS a LOT @askdrtk, I'm now scared to subscribe to your channel in case you'll continue to cost me money. :P
Sorry it has taken a while to get back to you, but that is hilarious lol… I’m glad I’m not the only one that experiences “gear escalation…” Hope you’re enjoying the new C214. I’ve found it to be a good one to have in the locker. Cheers!
Thanks so much for such a comprehensive review with really great detail and comparisons, you've convinced me to get this mic, cheers!
Glad to help out, enjoy your new C214!
All of the cheaper mics have a metalic sound in the 3K range. Easy to tell the difference on his voice.
For micing guitar amps you can hear the diaphragm resonating in the top end. You hear the mic, rather than the instrument. This is because they build in resonance on the diaphragm to increase the high freq response. The problem is that you are hearing the high freq sound of the mic, rather the instrument.
Excellent review! Thank you!
i should have bought the sm7b. For singing vocals it sounds much better (my friend has one that i was able to test drive)
I hate to say I regret buying the c214 but I have yet to find an area it shines in =/. Its slightly better than my 100 dollar scarlett mic
The c214 is not my goto for vocals either, but I like the way it sounds on a number of acoustic sources (guitar, violin, cello in particular) as well as when used as room mics in pairs, especially when I pair it with a transformer-based preamp like a 1073 or even a 610 for a more vintage sound. Many people think of the 7B as a "broadcast mic" but there have been many great vocals, on records we have all heard, recorded with it. (This why the mic locker seems to keep growing...lol) Thanks for sharing your experience with both mics.
@@askdrtk thanks for the helpful info
I can imagine it being really nice for my acoustic
At least if I have a hard time selling it I can get some use out of it
I caved and bought the shure today lol
Glad I’m not the only one that can’t stop myself from picking up another microphone…lol. Enjoy your 7B!
to sing with the low cut? What do you think can be done?
I tend to record flat and EQ later so I have the most audio information to work with, but the low cut is not excessive on the 214 and does often work well on darker voices or when the vocalist produces extreme low transients. It can be useful when isolation isn't the best and low rumble is being picked up by the microphone. Hope this helps out.
@@askdrtk thanks man😊👍
Very good Video!
Thanks! I’m glad your enjoyed it!
I have a pair stereo matched for drums overhead still case wrapped in plastic. Have not used them yet.
Nice...not sure what you are using now, but these pickup considerable detail / subtleties of your kit without becoming lost or compromised by the sound pressure from kick and snare. Of course positioning matters, but I have found them pretty forgiving for recall when you need to tear down and setup often. I'd appreciate hearing what you think when you get a chance to try them out.
@@askdrtk I have recorded 40 covers using Sterling 170 if I got the model correctly, have to check, I also have old Shure Beta Green condenser pencils and AKG430 I use for the Ride and Hi Hats,
Man those BG 4.0's are workhorse microphones...not hyped and give you what you hear. I haven't used the Sterling, but I've heard they provide a nice vintage tone without giving up too much detail...there are still many reluctant to go with ribbons, but the tech has come a long way. (I like the 430's, you see them around a lot for a reason.)
@@askdrtk The BD 4.0 were my first choice back in 95' together with Sennheiser v5 I believe and was very happy with the sound I got out of it live and studio; I still have those retired of course, never got rid of them, today I got for the drums Shure Beta 98AMP/C mainly, got an army of those literally, LOL, 6 or 7 but if asked to have a choice I would like to get Earthworks, also The Audis, specially the SCX25a I would love to see a video comparison of those with the AKGC214 because a pair of the Audi is in the same price range as the AKG's, my current choices that I have not tried just yet but have them in my arsenal also include couple of Audio Technica; one for Bass Drum Double mic AE2500, this one will replace my trusted AKGD112 and my latest Audi D6, it is an expensive yet more versatile mic to use on a bass drum and it took me a while to release the wallet on it, I am sure it will bring wonders out of my custom 23" bass drum. For Hi Hat because the way I set up I am going with another Audio Technical ATM450 side address mic. So many choices out there! Thanks for your video comparison!
I always enjoy hearing about "gear escalations." I suppose in some way it helps me justify my own...lol. Kidding aside, I love gear and the way it inspires mE to make music as I'm sure you do as well. Keep up the great music and enjoy the fantastic collection of gear you have to work with!
Nice Video
Thanks! I’m glad you enjoyed it.
You could speak with less tension in your throat and project more from your chest to avoid the nasal high pitched sound in your voice.
Good review! Have been looking into the AKG mics since I can get a good deal on them now C214 (365 usd) and C314 (500usd). I´m leaning slightly more towards the C314 since it has a better self noise and S/N ratio but it seems a bit more hissy. Do you have any experience with the C314 or should I be fine with the C214?
Thanks! Both microphones are an excellent value. I have used both as well as the 414XLII and XLS. I have always found specs do not tell the whole story and make decisions based on tone and dynamics more than anything else. While the 314 is technically quieter and has a better S/N ratio compared to the 214, both are quiet enough to record even the most detailed sources. I find the 214 has more of the character of the 414XLII whereas the 314 sounds more like the 414XLS to me…I am really splitting hairs here…and if I wasn’t listening back-to-back, I would not be able to tell the difference reliably. If you will benefit from the additional versatility of the 314 (polar pattern can be very useful for more than just directionality), I would pickup the 314 as the value is undeniable, but otherwise, a 214 for 365 usd will provide outstanding results. I know this isn’t a direct answer, but I hope it helps out.
@@askdrtk helps very much I appreciate your answer! I also fell in love with the sound of the Austrian Audio OC18. Beautiful mic and as you probably know the people behind it used to work at AKG. If I have to go with AKG I'd go with the C314 since I like the C414XLS better but i might save for the AA OC18. Again thanks for your answer you microphone reviews are really nice!
@@kriLdaChrixt I love my 414 XLS for its fidelity, flatness, and dynamics. It's the most true to source mic I've used. If the 314 is a less expensive version of the same mic with the same capsule, and if you want a mic for accurate reproduction, the 314 sounds like the way to go. But as a mid-price vocal mic, I really like this 214.
I teach studio recording to middle school students, and I've just begun using a 414 XLS. It's gotten some surprising results from my students. (Kids' voices are not the same as adult female vox, and it's not always easy to find the right mic.) But the really cool result was when I recorded a school fire alarm (without them knowing it) with the XLS, then later played it back while they were all on monitor headphones. Three of them threw off the headphones and thought it was real! I've also had a student online over Zoom hear a playback over my home stereo, maybe 8' from my speaker, through the XLS, and he thought I was running the sound direct. If the 314 sounds like the 414 XLS, I'd say that at half the price, it's worth it!
bro what are you doing smoking in the studio lol
Man that’s good lol…
MXL 990 is very close to C214
Thanks for sharing. The 990 has been a popular choice for some time. There is even a CineMag based transformer rebuild for it that has been popular with a number of voiceover artists!
Sir Jesus loves you and wants a relationship with you hes real he saved me from a lot of things and can save us all from our troubles ❤️✝️
Excellent review. Thank you.
Thanks, I'm glad to hear you enjoyed it!