Topic: Affordable AKG Sound

[rockymtnryan]

So if I'm trying to find a pair of mics that would give me AKG 481/483 type sound, but for an affordable price.........any ideas?


I've been looking at Peluso cemc6 and Busman bsc1 stereo sets since they are so affordable, but thought someone might have another option that is sonically more swimilar to the AKG 480 sound which is my favorite.

Thanks for any help.

[darby]

if you want AKG sound then buy AKGs  ... perhaps some 390s?

[OFOTD]

perhaps some 390s?

+1

[rockymtnryan]

My budget constraints led me to believe that AKG's are out of my price range.  I would like to keep a pair of mics to $600 or less.

[OFOTD]

My budget constraints led me to believe that AKG's are out of my price range.  I would like to keep a pair of mics to $600 or less.

AKG 390's.   You should be able to find a set of 390 bodies, a set of caps or two and actives for $600 or less. 

Don't let those other brands fool you.  The 390's are without doubt the most underrated mics in that price range on this site.  Not sure why the Peluso's, Busman's and others get the fluff when the 390's always deliver.

Start in the Yard Sale with and ISO.  I am sure several people are holding sets of them.

[rockymtnryan]

I know this is probably a dumb question but....Can you use the caps and actives going into a preamp, or do you also need the bodies as well?  I'm not really familiar with "actives".

[OFOTD]

Can you use the caps and actives going into a preamp, or do you also need the bodies as well?

No, you need the bodies in the equation.   Basically the active cables are extension cables that connect between the bodies and the capsules.   They are a nice feature of the 390's but are not required.  You can just as easily run caps > bodies.

Use the search function here on ts.com and search for posts on the 390 series.   

[rockymtnryan]

Can you use the caps and actives going into a preamp, or do you also need the bodies as well?

No, you need the bodies in the equation.   Basically the active cables are extension cables that connect between the bodies and the capsules.   They are a nice feature of the 390's but are not required.  You can just as easily run caps > bodies.

Use the search function here on ts.com and search for posts on the 390 series.

Thats what I thought.  So with the actives you can have the low profile that is needed for most FOB taping.  I posted a ISO, and did a search.  It doesn't seem like those have been available for years, with most FS a few years ago.  Also checked Gearslutz.

Man I would kill to have that setup for $600 or less.  Thanks for your insight.

[page]

I posted a ISO, and did a search.  It doesn't seem like those have been available for years, with most FS a few years ago.  Also checked Gearslutz.

Man I would kill to have that setup for $600 or less.  Thanks for your insight.

I saw a set of bodies move last fall (maybe, don't see anyone picked them up unless they were sold on ebay). You might have to wait a bit or troll ebay (always recomended). If I were in your position, I wouldn't be afraid of getting singles and puting together a set. Hunting for obscure gear or gear at great prices takes a patience.

[rastasean]

I posted a ISO, and did a search.  It doesn't seem like those have been available for years, with most FS a few years ago.  Also checked Gearslutz.

Man I would kill to have that setup for $600 or less.  Thanks for your insight.

I saw a set of bodies move last fall (maybe, don't see anyone picked them up unless they were sold on ebay). You might have to wait a bit or troll ebay (always recomended). If I were in your position, I wouldn't be afraid of getting singles and puting together a set. Hunting for obscure gear or gear at great prices takes a patience.

well said. if you really want the 390s, you'll get them but it will take time and perseverance. I know there is a set of 480s for sale in YS for a little more than you've got but contact the seller and work something out.

[tgakidis]

http://www.studiocare.com/store/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=263_265&products_id=64442

Used AKG 391 for 175 pounds (150 without VAT).  A pair would be less then 600 US dollars.  I have dealt with the company in the past and they have great customer service.

[JasonSobel]

my first pair of mics was a set of AKG 391's.  I paid $450 for the pair, so they can definitely be had in your price range.
Additionally, I would keep your eyes open for a pair of used AKG 460's.  I think the 460's sound better than the 300's, and I think I've seen used pairs (with one set of caps) go for right around $600 (or maybe less?).

[Shawn]

if you want the akg sound and have $600 you should easily be able to get a pair of akg 460s. I've bought and sold several pairs between $550 and $650 depending on condition

[stevetoney]

^ Yup.  As I scrolled down reading this thread that's what I was thinking too.  The 460's plus a pair of CK61's.  Then you have the basis for a great rig...add a pair of CK63 hypers and CK62 omni's later.  You could also keep an eye out for the AK46 cables which pop up occasionally (aren't there some in the YS right now?) for a killer active rig.  The sound of the 460's with those actives is really strong.

[ero3030]

take your time and keep your eyes open.  i sold a MINT set of 460/61's for 675$ 2 months ago.  u will find something, dont be in a hurry like Tonedeaf    ed

[OFOTD]

I guess then i'll have to agree to strongly disagree with some of you guys.   

The OP said he is looking at Peluso and Busman stereo sets witch include accessories within a $600 limit.  Why upsell him on just mics without accessories when for the same money he can purchase something far more versatile that IMO has every bit of that AKG sound that people at that price point are looking for.    For the $600+ he'd spend on some 460 bodies and one set of caps he could be running the 390's with actives and most likely two sets of caps and accessories (shocks, mounts, screens, etc).   

You're basically confining him at his max price point with less gear instead of selling him on versatility and value and that AKG sound that the 390's have just as well as the 460's.   

[SmokinJoe]

Going back to the original question... I don't think Peluso's sound much like AKG's at all (I've had both).  I can't comment on Busman's.

A couple of years ago, I bought 480's with Cards and Hypercard caps.  I hadn't really thought much about 390's...  Until my buddy got some 390's at which point I did some listening of his rig versus mine, and I thought to myself "I should have bought 390's and saved myself a lot of money".  Just my opinion.

[illconditioned]

My opinion, having owned 390's, 460's and many others.  The 393 (300 + ck93 hyper caps) have a great pattern, but lack detail of other options.  I really like 463 (460 + ck63 caps), these have great pattern and tons of detail.  In fact, I prefer the 460 over the 480.  460 have a transformer, and bit less "edgy" sound than the 480.

I would recommend getting a used pair of SP C4's.  You can sometimes find these for $200.  Those sound nicer than the 390's in my opinion.  And you can upgrade to 460 later when you need it.  Keep the C4's as a backup, or resell them for $200.  You'll have to wait a while fo find C4's used here, but this is really the best starter mic out there.  I've got two pairs of these C4's "in service" as we speak.

  Richard


PS: If you want to hear various options, go listen to clips on my webpage (http://Soundmann.com).  I've got examples of CK91 and CK93 (just the caps, running with a battery box, but similar to what you'd get with the SE300 bodies) there as well as lots of others.

[Shawn]

Going back to the original question... I don't think Peluso's sound much like AKG's at all (I've had both).  I can't comment on Busman's.

this. if you want the AKG sound pelusos won't give you that. If you just want a nice set of $600 mics with all the accessories pelusos will do just fine.

[OFOTD]

I would recommend getting a used pair of SP C4's. 

Where do SP C4's have ANY relation to having 'affordable AKG sound' ?

 

[page]

Going back to the original question... I don't think Peluso's sound much like AKG's at all (I've had both).  I can't comment on Busman's.

I've been privy to setups of busmans and akgs in the same room before a number of times and I don't think they sound like the akgs.

My advice is; If you like the house akg sound, buy akgs. That said, I support the 390 recomendation, it leaves a bit of cash left over for accessories that you may not think of, and the mics will probably move later with a small hit and you can use that cash with some money down the road to upgrade.

[illconditioned]

I would recommend getting a used pair of SP C4's. 

Where do SP C4's have ANY relation to having 'affordable AKG sound' ?

 

All I am saying is that I much prefer SP C4 over AKG 391/393.  I'm recommending skipping the 39x step, that is all.


  Richard

[OFOTD]

All I am saying is that I much prefer SP C4 over AKG 391/393.  I'm recommending skipping the 39x step, that is all.

I can understand skipping the 390's but again to suggest something that is clearly NOT an affordable AKG sound?    Really?  Why even comment if you don't have a different or suitable 'affordable AKG sound' suggestion?   

Seriously why is it that when people are looking for specific things do people try and recommend something that does not either fit the description of what they are looking for or try and oversell?   

Richard you've clearly modified your 9x caps in a way that takes out 50% of that AKG sound.  I can understand not liking them if i've bastardized them by completely cutting out an essential component (bodies).   

Whatever happened to making a suggestion within the confines of what the OP stated and making that suggestion based that was suited best for what the OP wants instead of what 'I' would do?

[newplanet7]

This is foolish.
Then why not recommend him the AKG PERCEPTION LINE??
Even cheaper than the 391's and has the AKG stamp on it.
Truth be told, if you look back to the original post, he says nothing about wanting a lot of gear
IE hypers, actives. etc. what he said was he wanted the AKG sound closest to 480's.
You suggested actives, with cards and hypers, windscreens, mounts and the rest.
WE suggested the 460's would get him closer to HIS STATED 480's sound.

[acidjack]

^^ I guess it all depends what "AKG sound" means.  Do 414s and 480s sound that much alike, for that matter?

At least in terms of this board, the most commonly used AKGs are the 46x/48x series probably with ck61s.  Whatever sounds the most like that is what should be recommended.

I liked the 39x mics when I had them (mine were also a "bastardized" set without bodies).  Whether they sounded much like 460s or 480s, I couldn't say.

I assume that although they have "AKG" written on them, the Perception line probably lacks the performance of the 460/480.   Because going down that road, one could also recommend the C1000s, which also say AKG on them, but IMHO sound like garbage.

[newplanet7]

That's all I'm saying.
Read the original post. He wants something that sounds like 480's.
The 460's are the closest thing at that price range.
391/393's dont sound like 480's. If they did we would be recommending them.

[OFOTD]

That's all I'm saying.
Read the original post. He wants something that sounds like 480's.
The 460's are the closest thing at that price range.
391/393's dont sound like 480's. If they did we would be recommending them.

Again they are ABOVE his stated budget.  So they shouldn't even be a consideration unless he increases his budget.   


So what gives you that AKG sound similar to the 480 at $600 or less?   Ding Ding Ding the 390's.

[rockymtnryan]

How important is it to have a matched stereo pair?  Do most people that own AKG pairs have matched pairs?

I appreciate all the comments, really, lets all just get along

Lately I've been leaning towards the Busman/Peluso stereo sets since they seem like such a great deal, and they are.  But having a box full of mic gear with all the accessories is not as important as being satisfied with my recordings.  Rome wasn't built in a day, so I know building the rig that is right for me will take some time.

Just when I'm about to pull the trigger on Busmans or Peluso I start to have second thoughts in my gut.  I don't want to buy a lower priced stereo kit and then not be happy with it and wish I would have saved a little more or worked out something with a seller of AKG's.

While I would love to have caps > actives > bodies as the ultimate setup, I would be fine with bodies/card caps and try to get the actives later.  Again, the most important thing is being happy with my recordings and I think I have to pursue AKG's since to my ears they are my favorite.

[newplanet7]

HERE YOU GO DAVID!
A PAIR OF AKG's 460's with ck3 CAPS FOR
DRUM ROLL................
$600, which is the stated budget!!!!!
http://taperssection.com/index.php?topic=136372.0

[OFOTD]

AKG does not match their microphones.    Matching sets of microphones seem to be more a piece of mind purchase than it is a distinct perceivable audio similarity/difference at least in the case of most of what we do (concerts).

[OFOTD]

HERE YOU GO DAVID!
A PAIR OF AKG's 460's with ck3 CAPS FOR
DRUM ROLL................
$600, which is the stated budget!!!!!
http://taperssection.com/index.php?topic=136372.0

Seems to me you're the one upset here.   Wouldn't the 460 > ck6x be more to the 480 sound that the ck3?   

Again why over-sell when quite clearly there appear to be better options more in line to what the OP was looking for and what the OP was comparably looking at?    If he was looking at the Peluso and Busman stereo kits then those come with you guessed it shocks, mounts and screens within his budget.  For the $600 you are suggesting add another $50-$100 on to that for the accessories not even including a case to carry it all in like the two aforementioned stereo kits have.

[darby]

A PAIR OF AKG's 460's with ck3 CAPS FOR
DRUM ROLL................
$600, which is the stated budget!!!!!
http://taperssection.com/index.php?topic=136372.0

those are no longer for sale

^^ I guess it all depends what "AKG sound" means.  Do 414s and 480s sound that much alike, for that matter?

having owned all of them I can honestly say...
no they don't totally but neither do 460s and 480s for that matter
they all have SIMILAR sound

[Will_S]

Just to throw a little gas on the fire (actually this is a serious suggestion, but may not be well received by all), Ryan did say he was looking to match the 481/483 sound and not the label, so I wouldn't rule out other brands IF they sound like 481/483s.

Some folks describe the Audix Micros (M1280 or M1290) as sounding a lot like the 480s.  I'd suggest searching the archives on this site to read about folks making the comparison, and more to the point listen to recordings made with the 480s, 390s, and Audixes.  the Audix are small enough to just about pass for "actives" as is, and there's the Church mod for plug in power if you want tiny.  With patience, a used pair with cards and hypers and mounts and cables should be well within the $600 budget.  Now whether an Audix M1280 or an AKG 390 sounds more like an AKG 480, I leave that to Ryan's ears. 

[illconditioned]

I can understand skipping the 390's but again to suggest something that is clearly NOT an affordable AKG sound?    Really?  Why even comment if you don't have a different or suitable 'affordable AKG sound' suggestion?   

Seriously why is it that when people are looking for specific things do people try and recommend something that does not either fit the description of what they are looking for or try and oversell?   

There is nothing wrong with making alternate suggestions.  I'm trying to save the OP from my mistakes, spending more than 50% of the cost of the 460 sound to get something that is not very good.

Richard you've clearly modified your 9x caps in a way that takes out 50% of that AKG sound.  I can understand not liking them if i've bastardized them by completely cutting out an essential component (bodies).   

The body does not add/remove anything from the sound.  It merely provides a voltage drop to drive the (electret) element of the CK9x capsule, and a balanced line driver.  There are no transformers or other goodies in the SE300 body.  I've done a lot of mic hacking and I'll stand by this assessment.

... making a suggestion within the confines of what the OP stated and making that suggestion based that was suited best for what the OP wants instead of what 'I' would do?

I disagree.  If someone can make helpful comments, it is a good thing.  Let the OP decide if he likes/dislikes my comments.


  Richard

[darby]

The body does not add/remove anything from the sound.  It merely provides a voltage drop to drive the (electret) element of the CK9x capsule, and a balanced line driver.  There are no transformers or other goodies in the SE300 body.  I've done a lot of mic hacking and I'll stand by this assessment.
  Richard

that's why the 460s sound different than the 480s with the same capsules
the 480s don't have transformers while the 460s do

[illconditioned]

The body does not add/remove anything from the sound.  It merely provides a voltage drop to drive the (electret) element of the CK9x capsule, and a balanced line driver.  There are no transformers or other goodies in the SE300 body.  I've done a lot of mic hacking and I'll stand by this assessment.
  Richard

that's why the 460s sound different than the 480s with the same capsules
the 480s don't have transformers while the 460s do

This seems to be the case.  I prefer the 460 sound .


  Richard

[Javier Cinakowski]

Just a note on a couple things above:  The Studio Projects C4s do sound much more like the AKG480 than most of the other budget mics.  I think that was a good suggestion.  Even the C4 hyper is supprisingly good and compairs well.   Someone mentioned the Audix above and I agree they sound a lot like the 480's too.  I ran a pair of C4hypers next to M.T.'s Audix hypers at Phish Starlake, they sounded very similar...

The peluso's kinda sound like shoepes, the busmans I havn't owned...

Also, I don't agree with the suggestion that the guy should buy a lesser set of mics with all of the accessories, than a bare bones 460/480 setup.  The bare bones option he can grow into and will be very happy with his very first pulls.  If he goes the budget route he will be selling it all for a loss in no time....

Buy what you really want now, I promise you will save money in the long run.  (esspecially in this ecconomy, it isn't as easy to move gear in the yard sale anymore...)

[datbrad]

That's all I'm saying.
Read the original post. He wants something that sounds like 480's.
The 460's are the closest thing at that price range.
391/393's dont sound like 480's. If they did we would be recommending them.

I have stayed out of the discussion, but as an AKG user for over 15 years, wanted to chime in that I agree completely with this.

[willndmb]

i recommend the 39x too
you can find a pair for well under the 600 vs a pair of 460 which will run you at least 600
and i personally think they sound more like a 480 then the 460 does

the bm mics get play as "budget mics" because you get all the caps and they sound pretty damn good

[Dkrogh]

Putting more gas on the fire...

I bought 460s with ck61's on here for 450 at the start of the summer, put on a $40 vert bar, $20 screens, $15 clamp, $40 mounts and $45 cables and you have yourself a rig sans recorder. You could pickup a 670 for around 350-400 now days and be into a nice setup for under a grand.

[willndmb]

Putting more gas on the fire...

I bought 460s with ck61's on here for 450 at the start of the summer, put on a $40 vert bar, $20 screens, $15 clamp, $40 mounts and $45 cables and you have yourself a rig sans recorder. You could pickup a 670 for around 350-400 now days and be into a nice setup for under a grand.

ok if you can get that deal i would skip the 390