The C 414 B-ULS is THE reference microphone for almost all comparative microphone tests and one of the most used condenser microphones in the world. It is the microphone of choice for miking up vocals, grand pianos, percussions, and any other sound sources with complex waveforms. A gold-sputtered 1-inch dual-diaphragm and Ultra Linear Series electronics combine to provide an extremely smooth frequency response.

Four selectable polar patterns allow the microphone to be used for every recording technique and two bass cut filters suppress low-frequency noise. Extremely low self noise and high headroom result in a dynamic range of 126 dB, which is wider than that of digital recording equipment. Switchable 10-dB and 20-dB preattenuation pads let you record instruments with sound pressure levels beyond 150 dB SPL at less than 0.5% THD.

Since 1971, Vienna-based AKG has made an entire franchise out of one ubiquitous large-diaphragm mc: the famous C 414. And more than 30 years later, it's hard to find a serious recording facility without at least a pair of these tried-and-true transducers.

The 414 model was gradually upgraded over the years. First introduced in 1971 as the “C 414 comb”, it was relaunched in 1976 as the “C 414 EB”. In later years, it received an upgraded to digital spec as the “C 414 EB P- 48”, and then the “C 414 B-ULS” version hit for the installed sound market. For sources as varied as voice, piano, and drums, you can find the unmistakable twin-trapezoidal shape of the 414 in studios everywhere.