AKG C1000S Stage and Studio Condenser Microphone

zZounds' Take on AKG C1000S Stage and Studio Condenser Microphone

Small-diaphragm cardioid condenser microphones are the Swiss Army knives of recording studios: you can use them on just about any source. While large-diaphragm mics have an inherent "character," small-diaphragm condensers tend to be more accurate, so they're widely utilized for classical recordings -- or anytime you need to capture the way an instrument really sounds in the room. On stage, condensers make frequent appearances on drum overheads, and they're a great tool to have in your kit for live violin or acoustic guitar. With its rugged stainless steel grill and sturdy construction, the C1000S condenser is AKG's answer to standard stage condensers like the Shure SM81, and it comes with a host of accessories and handy features that make it one of the most versatile mics in your collection.

Feature-Packed

Don't let the low price of the C1000S throw you -- this is a top-quality small-diaphragm condenser, from one of the world's most revered microphone manufacturers. AKG has gone out of their way to make this budget-friendly mic a multitalented performer. The C1000S comes with a cap that converts its cardioid pickup pattern to a tighter hypercardioid for improved off-axis rejection and feedback control -- a boon to live sound engineers. There's also an included PB1000 adapter that adds high-end presence for more intelligible voice reinforcement. And since this condenser has an internal 9-volt battery with a convenient on/off switch, you don't even need phantom power to run it -- especially useful if you want to use the C1000S as an external mic running into a pro video camera.

Stage Presence

If your acoustic guitar's pickups cover a lot of bass and midrange, but seem to miss critical high-end, try using the AKG C1000S as an extra microphone on stage. Or if you play a violin live, try this quality condenser to accurately portray your instrument's high frequencies -- the C1000S captures all the way from 50 Hz up to 20 kHz, when most dynamic mics tend to peter out around 16 kHz. On loud sources like guitar amps or drum overheads, the C1000S can handle sound pressure levels up to 137 dB. Or if you're simply looking for an inexpensive set of room mics to capture your audience's response when you play live, you can't go wrong with a pair of C1000S on either side of the space, or in an X-Y configuration at front-of-house.

Home-Studio

If you're building a home studio mic collection, the versatile C1000S is an ideal choice for your first small-diaphragm condenser. Try it instead of an SM57 on electric guitar amp, to hear the difference that a full top end and smooth midrange makes to your sound. If you already have a large-diaphragm condenser, place that mic near your acoustic guitar's sound hole, try the C1000S near the bridge, and mix the two mics to taste. If you play fiddle, classical violin or viola, the C1000S is a great mic to have around for home auditions, especially since it doubles as your live mic when you find yourself playing through a PA at a gig. And if you're tracking drums in your home studio, try a C1000S on overheads, on hi-hat or under your snare. This excellent all-purpose mic can find a use in just about any project studio.

Features:

- Versatile, rugged small-diaphragm condenser for stage or studio
- Runs off phantom power or internal 9-volt battery
- Includes clip, windscreen, case, and adapters for hypercardioid pickup and presence boost

Manufacturer's Description for AKG C1000S Stage and Studio Condenser Microphone

The C1000S has a max SPL of 137dB for 1% THD and 145 dB @ 3% THD. A cardioid or hypercardioid pattern can be selected with the unique PPC1000 polar pattern converter. The PB1000 presence boost adapter provides an additional 5dB boost in the 5 to 9 kHz range in the cardioid range. Other features include a recessed on/off switch. zZounds is an authorized dealer of AKG products.

Frequency Range: 50 Hz to 20 kHz

Polar Pattern: Cardioid, Hypercardioid with PPC 1000 mounted

Sensitivity: 6 mV/Pa (-45 dBV)

Impedance: 200 ohms

Maximum SPL FOR 0.5% THD: 137 dB

Equivalent Noise Level: 19 dB-A

Size: 34 diameter x 220 mm (1.3 diameter x 8.7 in.)

Weight (Net): 275 g (9.7 oz.)

Weight (Shipping): 820 g (1.8 lbs.)

Dimensions and Weight in Packaging

Shipping Weight: 3 lbs

Shipping Dimensions: 11 x 7 x 4 in