AKG C1000S Stage and Studio Condenser Microphone

Live or in the studio, AKG's rugged, versatile C1000S small-diaphragm condenser runs on phantom power or its internal 9-volt battery.

Overall User Ratings (based on 122 ratings)
  • Overall:
    4.5 out of 5 stars
  • Sound:
    4.5 out of 5 stars
  • Features:
    4.5 out of 5 stars
  • Ease of Use:
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Quality:
    4.5 out of 5 stars
  • Value:
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Manufacturer Support:
    4.5 out of 5 stars
  • The Wow Factor:
    4 out of 5 stars
Overall: 4.5 out of 5 stars
(122) (see rating details)
Submitted April 2, 2006 by RappinKim

"Two for the price of one! Go for it!"

Overall: 5 out of 5 stars
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Sound
I like it. Very good sound, especially if you are using them as overheads for drums, or for the hi-hats. In addition, they are very versatile with using for a choir and piano. I have used them in all applications for worship in my church. They are also a more fuller sounding microphone for our female singers because they lack the low mid range in their voices.
Features
Very versatile. Comes with a little cap to change the pick up pattern of the microphone to a hypercardoid. In addition, if you have a mixer with no phantom power, this would be a good microphone, because a 9 volt compartment within the capsule of the microphone is available as an alternate to phantom power. And the battery lasts up to 220 hrs!
Ease of Use
Do not use too many of these in a live application. Though it sounds great, do remember that condenser microphones can reduce the amount of headroom on your board.
Value
For its price, it is very affordable. I rate this with the shure beta 81 microphone. The price for one beta 81, you can get two akg c1000s
Manufacturer Support
No problems with this mic. I can use two more
The Wow Factor
planning to get more!
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Submitted July 7, 2007 by a customer from verizon.net

"Money Well Spent..."

Overall: 4.5 out of 5 stars
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I'm always intereseted in seeing how I can improve the quality of my sound. So, since there are better quality microphones out there, I'm sure I'll be looking at one or two of them eventually. Otherwise I expect to be happy with this microphone for as long as I own it. Even if I find something better this one will still find use.
Sound
For my voice I'm very pleased with it, though I mostly use it now on my acoustic guitars, and rarely use it for my voice anymore. The only reason I didn't give a 10 is because I think the bass is usually excessive and I sometimes have to spend a few minutes EQing the bass to a reasonable level, etc.
Features
Has an on/off switch that can't be operated accidentally. I like that. Has the ability to narrow the patter (which is how I use it all the time). Too early to tell what is missing. I'm not primarily a vocalist so I'm not sure what else it should have. It seems to offer what I need.
Ease of Use
I wish every piece of musical equipment was as easy to use as this microphone.
Quality
It appears to be very well made. I like the color. I get bored with the black microphones that are everywhere. So far it has held up well, though I'm not rough with it by any means. I treat it as though it cost me a couple of grand, etc.
Value
If the bass was a little less overbearing I would have given it a 10. I'd say it was good value for money. It seems to do what I bought it to do. Sounds great. Have had only compliments on the sound of my guitars when using this microphone.
Manufacturer Support
No idea. Never had to deal with AKG support.
The Wow Factor
I like the color. I like the 'look' of it. But what's more important is that it does what it's supposed to do...and it does. So I'm happy.

Musical Background:

Hobbyist

Musical Style:

Folk/Blues/Ragtime (Acoustic Guitar Player)
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Submitted May 21, 2006 by a customer from juno.com

"Best vocal mic ever."

Overall: 5 out of 5 stars
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I would buy these again and again. I'll never be without one- my favorite vocal mic, period, any price range. Shines on acoustic too, and as stereo pair for overheads. When I bought them I thought I might be making a mistake- many reviewers hated them, after all- but this mic has such beautiful and usable character- sonic detail means nothing without character, and this mic actually has both. Sits in the mix like a dream. If I could only use one mic for a project, this would be it!
Sound
I've been using two c1000s for a few years now- I like them better for vocals than many of the very expensive mics I've used in many studios, including the shure 414 and neumann u87, and many more costly vintage tube mics. After hearing such great reviews of the studio projects C1, I got one, also an MXL 909. The Studio Projects C1 has me scratching my head- I had high hopes- but after excitedly recording a bunch of vocal tracks with it, I couldn't escape that it had a cardboardy/tinny sound- one that I couldn't really mix out, either... I even liked the cheap MXL better- so out of curiosity I a/b'd all three, and I swear the AKG C1000 blew the other two away, hands down- really no comparison for sweetness of tone- it really has a smoother, denser sound and a very smooth and musical response in the critical frequency ranges. I wanted to like the SP mic so bad, it's such a looker- but I'm very disappointed in it and wonder what all these engineers were talking about. I use a studio projects vtb-1 for tube pre (love it!) and an Art pro VLA comp, and the C1000 beautifully portrays pretty much anything I can throw at it.
Features
This mic sounds best without the little gadgets for eq or pattern; they work, and the hyper cardioid one isolates great, but it creates a slightly megaphone-sounding peak you have to eq out. Isolation is way better than the large diaphram condensers, and is acceptible even without the attachment. The switch is annoying to turn on or off, but you never accidentally do so, to the designer's credit. The windscreen makes the pops go away quite well- and is necessary for live..
Ease of Use
The closest, most acceptible EQ for voice, male or female- not much eq required- the treble is prominent (in a good way) and I still add some (3.5- 15 Hz), it's easier to make this mic sound great than any other.
Quality
The screen on one of mine wasn't perfect, I had to push a sharp edge in on it, but otherwise quality seems fantastic. I don't worry about dropping them, and after being left out a lot for years they still sound exactly the same as when I got them.
Value
Cheap price for what it is- I'm lucky I can afford 2 of my favorite mics!
Manufacturer Support
n/a
The Wow Factor
I took off the red stripes, they seemed so 'high school band gear'-looking. Not a great-looking mic, but not bad with the windscreen.

Musical Background:

Engineer, recording artist, songwriter, 30 years

Musical Style:

rock, alternative
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Submitted June 12, 2005 by a customer from hotmail.com

"A Must-Have Microphone for Low $$$"

Overall: 5 out of 5 stars
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Sound
A real Swiss army knife for anyone's project studio, live sound recording, etc. I own two so I can do X-Y, ORTF and coincident stereo set-up's. Buy a stereo bar for $16 and you'll get great results on drum overheads, choirs, etc. A very versatile small-diaphragm microphone with a smooth response.
Features
The ability to pop a 9-volt in is very handy for live vocal situations or when using mixers with too few phantom powered inputs. The hypercardioid adaptor actually works pretty well. I have never used the presence adaptor.
Quality
I love the quality of this mike. It's a keeper. The finish is beautiful.
Value
Got two for $150 each way before the "two for $299" special. Big bang for the buck.
Manufacturer Support
Never needed it - it's AKG.
The Wow Factor
This is a classic mic that I enjoy owning. I think having two for stereo situations is a lot of coolness factor for $300. With excellent sound quality a given, people really react well to the look of these mic's.

Musical Background:

Active musician, worship leader, project studio owner

Musical Style:

Pop, Praise and worship, Choirs, acoustic
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Submitted July 12, 2011 by a customer from lemoorenet.com

"Banjo Picker discovers true sound."

Overall: 5 out of 5 stars
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If it were lost or stolen, I would replace it immediately,
Sound
I play 5 string banjo which is difficult, at best, to mike. The CS 1000 mike does a great job in all cases. am very pleased with it,
Features
mike holder
Ease of Use
very easy to use. very compatable to my other systems
Quality
very well made
Value
It is definately worth the price,
Manufacturer Support
Have not had any difficulties
The Wow Factor
Now that I have used it, I wouldn't want to do a gig without it.

Musical Background:

active musician

Musical Style:

Blugrass
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Submitted June 3, 2006 by a customer from yahoo.com

"Great stereo acoustic miking!"

Overall: 4.5 out of 5 stars
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For now, I use a pair to mic acoustic guitar and I'll be using that for the forseeable future. I'm already looking into a new vocal mic though because I wasn't satisfied with those results.
Sound
The sound is great for Acoustic Guitar. I was very impressed with the detail. For my vocals however, it seems like there is too much high end. Not as warm as other mics I've used.
Features
I like the case that it comes in. Other than that, its pretty straigh forward.
Ease of Use
Doesn't get much easier. Just plug it in and turn it on.
Quality
Seems very solid. Its heavier than it looks. Would probably be fine if you dropped it a bunch of times.
Value
For the price, the quality of acoustic sound is good. I don't have enough mics to compare it too though.
Manufacturer Support
Since I haven't needed any help yet, I'll give them the benefit of a doubt.
The Wow Factor
I dont think its ugly. Its a microphone. I does what its supposed to.

Musical Background:

Amateur Producer

Musical Style:

Pop/Rock
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Submitted October 13, 2012 by a customer from aol.com

"AKG C1000S Great Mic for the Money"

Overall: 4 out of 5 stars
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During a session about 10 years ago. I got taken for being naive and purchased a crap Nady mic. Long story short- you get what you pay for. So I purchased the C414 for just under a $1k. 'That's is a great mic and I still have it. Yet later I was asked to record a 'choir' so I purchased two C1000S and this Mic is EXCELLENT. It's great for subtle tones while keeping the backround just that- the backround. It's a great mic for a beginner and a great mic for all around the studio.
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Submitted December 23, 2004 by a customer from yahoo.com

"MUST-HAVE FOR RECORDING"

Overall: 4.5 out of 5 stars
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Great sound, great price, marvelous response--a muli-functioning staple for any recording session.
Sound
For recording, it works great as an overhead for drums or room mic. Fantastic reproduction for the price. Absolutely unbeatable. I use it strictly for recording, and I plan to buy 2 more.
Features
N/A
Quality
The construction is pretty durable, but to change the battery you have to unscrew the body and pull the casing over the top of the mic, exposing the diaphragm to unnecessary stress. That's probably my only criticism of this mic.
Value
The special offer on 2 is pretty common, and the value is, indeed, the best.
Manufacturer Support
N/A
The Wow Factor
...

Musical Background:

"serious" hobbyist?

Musical Style:

rock, jazz/fusion, metal
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Submitted December 8, 2003 by a customer from yahoo.com

"Good for the price and very usefull"

Overall: 4 out of 5 stars
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Sound
It's not a Neuman but it is a very good mic for the price...I used it for male and female vocals , B. Vocals , Violin , Sax Alto , Tenor and especially for sopran sax...and everybody said " woouw ". It's a good Price/Quality product. ( if you add some compressions , and a lot of eq's )
Features
Lead and Back. Vocals... Violins and Saxophone

Musical Style:

Pop , Dance , Simfonic , Jazz
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Submitted July 24, 2005 by www.jazzobsession.com

"They did the job!"

Overall: 5 out of 5 stars
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These are very versatile. I can use them on the toms and cymbals as well if I need to.
Sound
I've used these mikes for live sound for my jazz band on a guitar and a soprano sax, after adding the hypercardoid attachemnt. These were very expressive for each instrument, and sounded great.
Features
The accessory that makes it hypercardoid is essential, as is the wind screen for outside performances.
Quality
super all the way around
Value
The two pack is an excellent deal.
Manufacturer Support
I haven't dealt with support, but AKG has a very helpful web site.
The Wow Factor
Practical addition. I don't care all that much about how something looks, with the exception of my wireless mike, which looks and sounds good. My syandard for mikes is do they sound good in the application? These do

Musical Background:

Active musician

Musical Style:

Mainstream and fusion jazz
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Submitted July 17, 2003 by a customer from yahoo.com

"sounds very soft, i use it for vocals and guitar.. if you use it properly, you can expect realy good results.."

Overall: 4.5 out of 5 stars
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Sound
this mic sounds very soft! realy nice product! and a price is too good if you look for quality :-)

Musical Style:

r&b, hip-hop, classical..
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Submitted October 14, 2005

"One awesome mike"

Overall: 5 out of 5 stars
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As long a own
Sound
Excllent sound
Features
the way you can change the pickuppattern
Quality
One sloid make it powerful and strong.
Value
Yes
Manufacturer Support
no the product works great.
The Wow Factor
I use when I need it.
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Submitted October 23, 2003

"A great microphone for Acoustic musicians well worth considering!!"

Overall: 4.5 out of 5 stars
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This microphone really shines for people like myself who need a dual use microphone for an acoustic instrument microphone and/or a vocal microphone for live sound reinforcement and project recording.
Sound
Not high in output, but very balanced and warm with noticeably less proximity effect then many other condenser microphones.
Features
The microphone comes with 2 capsule adapters, windscreen, clip, and unpadded zippered bag. A foam padded case for this microphone would have been a big plus without adding much to the price.
Quality
The microphone is actually very large for a pencil style condenser and appears to be a very sturdy microphone. I haven't had the misfortune to put it through the drop test yet.
Value
There are cheaper microphones being made in China that sound good. But the high quality, smoothness, and versatility of AKG C1000 makes this microphone an outstanding value.
Manufacturer Support
Haven't needed any support yet.
The Wow Factor
A great sounding microphone, but falls short in looks. Offering this microphone in black would make me rate it a 10 instead of 8.

Musical Style:

Folk, Traditional, Old Time
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