Certain AKG mics get a lot of abuse in recording forums. I own a C3000 that I liked OK until I was told it sounded bad. I have to admit it isn't as useful as other mics I have bought since, but it does have its uses. I like it in sound reinforcement for upright bass set to hypercardioid.

ahem... on to the topic.

Which is the worst of these common AKG's?

AKG C3000
AKG C3000B
AKG C1000

Well the only one I've owned was the C1000S and I gotta tell ya, one day I bought a pair of Josephson C42s, sold the C1000, spent the money on a bag of grass, a quadruple espresso and a couple burritos...and I stand behind that decision



I totally dig AKG C414s and D112s tho


And it's not to say I never got useful sounds out of the C1000

C1000

harsh but good extra hammer

Sorry you had to experience this. The 414 480 C12 are great mic's

quote:

Well the only one I've owned was the C1000S and I gotta tell ya, one day I bought a pair of Josephson C42s, sold the C1000, spent the money on a bag of grass, a quadruple espresso and a couple burritos...and I stand behind that decision

That's classic!!!!

Rocky

I know this isn't on your list - C2000B. I just sold 2 of these because I could not get a good sound from them. Too harsh! I suspect the C3000 is very similar.

When I was just starting recording I thought I couldn't get wrong with an AKG and so I bought a pair of C1000's and a pair of C3000's.

And to be honest, I did make some pretty good sounding recordings with both the C1000 and the C3000's (the black ones), actually the C1000 doesn't sound bad on guitar cabs and percussion, can sound decent on horns and winds.

The C3000 otoh wasn't used much, just as a spot mic for hi hat and ride cymbal and it's not a bad mic for some vocals.

One day I found out they were more in than out of the closet and I sold them, bought an MXL V69M a V77S and a pair of SP B1's.

Never had any regrets, not for a split second.

Oh God, the C3000 is nasty.

It was my first condenser, but it was and always has been harsh and nasty. No low end, way too much high end, and the crap midrange.

Got rid of them and got Studio Projects C4's for overheads and acoustic; much smoother which more clarity and articulation without the harshness. More low-end too, because the midrange isn't peaking as much.

Using an NT2 now, which is WAY better than the C3000 for vocals, overheads, and anything else. It's not the greatest, and I'm looking to sell it, but it's way better.

No experience with the C3000B or C1000, but I can't expect much better.

I too bought the original C3000 in the 1990s. I used it as my vocal mic on my cd through a Mackie 1202(pre VLZ). I thought then, on my voice it did an OK job except for the simbalence. There's something wrong with the high end(on vocals anyway). I also used it on a floor tom with good results. It was horrible once on a female vocal so I swapped it for a Senheiser 441. My take is- on something dull sounding it might be the ticket otherwise look out. Today with a Rode K2, and a Blue Baby bottle the 3000 stays mostly in the locker.

I've only had experience with the C1000 and I don't think it's too bad. I heard a sax track my friend recorded with one and it sounded pretty good. Overall it can really get the job done on a lot of stuff but it would just never be my first choice for anything.

Taking the foam out of the C1000s' help tremendously!

Joel

MY friend has a C1000s and it seems OK, but nothing I would buy. It was one of the first 'affordable' condensers on the market though, so it has to be given some credit.

My first condenser was the AKG C535EB, which I still own. It's pretty bright compared to many mics I've bought since, but still useable and detailed. In fact I think I'll use this for my VOX next week (live gig).

I see it used a lot for live vocals, what's the opinion of this mic generally?

I saw a C1000s used for a bodhran (Irish frame drum) live, and it did a fine job.

quote:

Originally posted by mitch lawyer:
I saw a C1000s used for a bodhran (Irish frame drum) live, and it did a fine job.

Okay, but so will do a lot of other mics that cost less than a C1000, a SP B1 for example.

Great mics for the price, but better suited for live use IMO. Pretty durable (even the cage can take a beating), and decent response for live applications.

Never used one in a recording session; I'd be interested in how it sounds...