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Author Topic: AKG 414XLII or AKG 414XLS? Need to order today  (Read 7498 times)

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Offline HealthCov Chris

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AKG 414XLII or AKG 414XLS? Need to order today
« on: December 15, 2016, 11:35:57 AM »
AKG 414XLII or AKG 414XLS for small to mid-sized venues and bars and summer festivals?  Will likely be paired with another set of SD cards.  I should say that several rooms I record are boomy.
Thanks
« Last Edit: December 15, 2016, 12:26:04 PM by CorFit Chris »
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Offline opsopcopolis

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Re: AKG 414XLII or AKG 414XLS? Need to order today
« Reply #1 on: December 15, 2016, 12:16:21 PM »
I prefer the XLS personally, but I use them for studio stuff.

Offline kindms

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Re: AKG 414XLII or AKG 414XLS? Need to order today
« Reply #2 on: December 15, 2016, 02:08:29 PM »
AKG 414XLII or AKG 414XLS for small to mid-sized venues and bars and summer festivals?  Will likely be paired with another set of SD cards.  I should say that several rooms I record are boomy.
Thanks

I own the XLS/ST (stereo matched pair)  and my understanding is the XLII has a mid range bump where the XLS is flatter. Having said this LDs in boomy situations are not going to help. in fact they will give you even more low end especially the 414s. I love my 414s and they can make some great recordings. I think they shine in M/S and blumlein (which also has a bit of a natural roll off effect to some extent)
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Offline BonoBeats

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Re: AKG 414XLII or AKG 414XLS? Need to order today
« Reply #3 on: December 15, 2016, 02:09:58 PM »
The XL-II has a considerably higher bump between 2 - 10kHz. Similar low end response.

http://cdn.recordinghacks.com/images//graphs/akg/C414B_frequency_comparison.png
« Last Edit: December 15, 2016, 02:12:03 PM by BonoBeats »
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Offline rocksuitcase

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Re: AKG 414XLII or AKG 414XLS? Need to order today
« Reply #4 on: December 15, 2016, 02:18:40 PM »
Bono Beats and kindms have solid info reagrding the HF bump in the 414XLII. For an in depth discussion from people who use these mics often, here:
https://www.gearslutz.com/board/high-end/788981-akg-c414-xls-xlii.html

I am kindms running buddy and will second his opini0n of low end boominess being more as opposed to less highlighted with the 414's (LD's generally). While this can be controlled for indoor situations and may be preferred for outdoor situations, you should know how kindms characterizes them:
He says the 414's (LD) are smooth and buttery tonal wise, while our 460's (SD) with ck22 have more attack. Seems he prefers the attack tone as opposed to the buttery one. But of course, it is always nice to have differing tonalities in your microphone toolbox!
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Offline HealthCov Chris

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Re: AKG 414XLII or AKG 414XLS? Need to order today
« Reply #5 on: December 15, 2016, 02:23:09 PM »
The XL-II has a considerably higher bump between 2 - 10kHz. Similar low end response.

http://cdn.recordinghacks.com/images//graphs/akg/C414B_frequency_comparison.png

So, how will this "bump" translate to my recordings?  I don't fully understand the frequency graphs.  I am interested in clarity, and favor brightness over more "dull" flavor.  I may also be running them through a preamp in the near future (SD UsbPre 2, or Mini me).
LMA: https://archive.org/details/@corfit
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Offline kindms

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Re: AKG 414XLII or AKG 414XLS? Need to order today
« Reply #6 on: December 15, 2016, 03:02:11 PM »
The XL-II has a considerably higher bump between 2 - 10kHz. Similar low end response.

http://cdn.recordinghacks.com/images//graphs/akg/C414B_frequency_comparison.png

So, how will this "bump" translate to my recordings?  I don't fully understand the frequency graphs.  I am interested in clarity, and favor brightness over more "dull" flavor.  I may also be running them through a preamp in the near future (SD UsbPre 2, or Mini me).

Generally the XLS is what you would want for what we do. My understanding is the XLII is more associated with Vocal microphones. The XLS is a more true frequency response where the XLII has the bump associated with a vocal mic

http://www.soundonsound.com/reviews/akg-c414b-xls-xlii

The link above has a nice explanation on the differences and he says they are subtle.
AKG c426, AKG414 XLS/ST, AKG ck61, ck22, >nBob colettes >PFA > V3, SD MixPre >  TCM-Mod Tascam HDP2, Sony M10
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Offline rocksuitcase

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Re: AKG 414XLII or AKG 414XLS? Need to order today
« Reply #7 on: December 15, 2016, 03:05:14 PM »
Most of the Gearslutz people prefer the XLS as one claim is that since the XLII is basically a vocal mic (think vocal booth in a studio) you won't get as even results with a pair of them as with a pair of XLS'.
I've no experience with the XLII, but would have to say that since most here and on gearslutz would desire a flat freq response for a stereo pair, my rec would be the XLS'.
music IS love

When you get confused, listen to the music play!

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Offline HealthCov Chris

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Re: AKG 414XLII or AKG 414XLS? Need to order today
« Reply #8 on: December 15, 2016, 03:23:19 PM »
Thanks for all the timely and helpful info!  I guess the XLS is a safer bet and I can add any "brightness" i desire in post.
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Re: AKG 414XLII or AKG 414XLS? Need to order today
« Reply #9 on: December 15, 2016, 04:39:19 PM »
I ran a pair of XLSs for 3 years in front of a V3 and still found them rather bass heavy
it got to the point where I ran the 40hZ cut almost all the time so I went with 460s because I preferred the bass response of them better
I did like running Blumlein (fig8) and also the hyper card settings, but they are less in the bass response area to begin with
if you are set on them, go ahead and try them out, having multiple patterns can be fun to play with, if you have another pair to run with them   

Offline F.O.Bean

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Re: AKG 414XLII or AKG 414XLS? Need to order today
« Reply #10 on: December 18, 2016, 06:53:20 AM »
Exactly! Grab the XLS, NOT the XLII/TLII. IMO they're WAY too bright, and everytime I've heard an XLII/TLII tape, Ive wished it had way more lowend! Just harsh. As always, YMMV! But I say grab the flatter XLS and be done with it 8) Enjoy those 5 patterns, especially the hypers & fig8 :) I typically don't care for SD's when run XY, but I've heard some killer XLS/Hypers/XY tapes from my buddy Jesse D. Scott 8) Its better than SD's because of the larger diaphram of the LD's! They shine in hypers IMO, but the subcards/omnis/cards/fig8 kick ass too! Really, you can't go wrong with a 414 XLS, as long as you don't mid the extra weight and dealing with bigger stuff!

I DO recommend getting these Rycote Invision shocks ;) They'll easily last you a lifetime of taping!

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http://rycote.com/microphone-windshield-shock-mount/invision-studio/
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Offline dactylus

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Re: AKG 414XLII or AKG 414XLS? Need to order today
« Reply #11 on: December 20, 2016, 04:53:42 AM »

I DO recommend getting these Rycote Invision shocks ;) They'll easily last you a lifetime of taping!

Rycote Invision USM 8)
http://rycote.com/microphone-windshield-shock-mount/invision-studio/

I second Bean's suggestion on the Rycote Invision shocks for the 414's!
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Offline rocksuitcase

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Re: AKG 414XLII or AKG 414XLS? Need to order today
« Reply #12 on: December 20, 2016, 09:46:57 AM »
Don't forget to update us as to what you went with.!     :headphones:
music IS love

When you get confused, listen to the music play!

Mics:         AKG460|CK61|CK1|CK3|CK8|Beyer M 201E|DPA 4060 SK
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Re: AKG 414XLII or AKG 414XLS? Need to order today
« Reply #13 on: December 20, 2016, 06:17:27 PM »
Don't forget to update us as to what you went with.!     :headphones:

I'm going back to the drawing board.  I already have a pair of Rode NTG3's on the way and my primary interest in the LD mics was for on-stage opportunities.  Through this inquiry, I have discovered the possibility of the much less expensive Studio Projects LSD2 and Avantone CK-40.  Both of which may be all that is necessary for on stage while I still pulling SD cards from the soundboard area.  It has occurred to me that the 414's are probably overkill.  Going this route allows me leftover $ to buy a pair of DPA 4061 omni's for all my outdoor recording.  Then I'll save up for a year and buy and hyper/supercard active setup, either the Schoeps mk41, DPA 4018, or Milab VM-44 link.

This process has fried my brain and I am experiencing microphone hypertension.  I'll report back shortly after I have test driven some options.  Thanks god for 30-day trial periods!
LMA: https://archive.org/details/@corfit
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Mics: AKG ck61/ck63 (nBob actives, Naiant PFA) | AKG 568 | CA-14 omni | Studio Projects B3
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Re: AKG 414XLII or AKG 414XLS? Need to order today
« Reply #14 on: December 21, 2016, 04:35:15 AM »
Don't forget to update us as to what you went with.!     :headphones:

  Then I'll save up for a year and buy and hyper/supercard active setup, either the Schoeps mk41, DPA 4018, or Milab VM-44 link.


Don't forget the excellent sounding Microtech Gefell M21 Hypercards when looking at the hyper/supercard active setups.  I would highly recommend the Gefell M21's, as would others here on TS.

http://taperssection.com/index.php?topic=180374.0

 :guitarist:
« Last Edit: December 21, 2016, 04:47:21 AM by dactylus »
hot licks > microphones > recorder



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