Author Topic: akg 480 vs adk a51tl (Read 6346 times)

caymanreview · « **on:** March 22, 2004, 06:00:17 PM »

wondering what your guy's thoughts are on these 2 mics against each other

il be doing alot of bigger shows this summer (taping from the section) and also doing alot of smaller shows, especially some on stage/up close taping here locally of several groups

i was wondering what you guys thought about the differences of the cards/hypers on the 2 mics. i have both the cards and hypers for my 480's, but would really like to have the fig8 and omni option for this summer without spending an extra grand on caps

looking for any and all opinions

fwiw i would be running mics > mme > laptop at 24/48 for now and either a v3 or v2 > mme by this summer

caymanreview · « **Reply #1 on:** March 22, 2004, 06:29:07 PM »

fwiw, if i bought adk tls i would be getting a brand new v3 to run at 24/48 into my lappy

Lee · « **Reply #2 on:** March 22, 2004, 06:57:51 PM »

I love my TL's, but the ck63 hyper cap is worth the price of admission alone. But, the ADK hypers sound good as well, check out my JB and Friends from 1/31 for a good example.

(I can mail it to you if you want)

BCostigan · « **Reply #3 on:** March 22, 2004, 06:59:19 PM »

IMHO...I think the AKGs would sound better with the Minime BUT.....I think the TLs would sound great with the V3 (so will the AKGs) I think the TLs have a more robust bottom end than the AKGs but the AKGs have a more defined high end. Both are sweet mics and I am a bit biased.

Bottom line.....if you really don't want to spend the extra $$$ and want Omni and figure 8 you won't be disappointed with the TLs->V3.

jnorman34 · « **Reply #4 on:** March 22, 2004, 07:34:03 PM »

i have not used the ADKs, so icannot comment on them directly, but having examined the electronic design of the mic amps for the ADK and the c480s, i can tell you they are not comparable. the akg utilizes only top end components, where the adk is of more common design. based on this alone, i would certainly conclude that the akg is likely both superior acoustically, and should have a longer service life.

Kindguy · « **Reply #5 on:** March 22, 2004, 09:51:59 PM »

AKG 480's no contest.

Quote

the ck63 hyper cap is worth the price of admission alone.

I do like the TL's best bang for the buck around IMO. It's like 170 bucks per polar pattern.

jnorman34 · « **Reply #6 on:** March 23, 2004, 01:22:42 AM »

kindguy - lots of people like the adk's, which is a pretty clear indicator that they turn out good results. i have used enough mics of all price categories over the years to know that even very affordable mics these days can deliver very high quality recordings, though it usually takes a combination of good preamps, good converters, and some knowledge on the part of the recording engineer. my comments are just based on my background as an electrical engineer, and we can be just as obsessive about circuitry as most rec engrs can be about mics in general. i just happen to like the efficiency and balance of the akg c480 mic amp design. i didnt really mean any dis to the adk mics - lots of folks love them, and that;s really where it is at.

caymanreview · « **Reply #7 on:** March 23, 2004, 07:49:28 AM »

in the past 24 hours i have decided that i am definantly keeping the 480s for now and possibly adding a pre in front of the mme for summer tour

Kindguy · « **Reply #8 on:** March 23, 2004, 10:06:45 AM »

I wasn't putting down ADK at all. I run the TL's now.

I was hoping some of the ADK users would say I'm full of shit.

My comments are based on my own experience. I ran the 480's for a year & the TL's since November. From what my ears hear & like the 480's do it for me. That's all.

nic · « **Reply #9 on:** March 23, 2004, 10:12:45 AM »

Quote from: Kindguy on March 23, 2004, 10:06:45 AM

I wasn't putting down ADK at all. I run the TL's now.

I was hoping some of the ADK users would say I'm full of shit.

My comments are based on my own experience. I ran the 480's for a year & the TL's since November. From what my ears hear & like the 480's do it for me. That's all.

the 483s probably sound better than the TL hypers, but 481 vs TL card...I dunno

Kindguy · « **Reply #10 on:** March 23, 2004, 10:15:30 AM »

T+

F.O.Bean · « **Reply #11 on:** March 23, 2004, 01:37:19 PM »

wonder what im gonna say;-)

i say stick w/ the 480's and add a v2 or v3

but best bang for the buck< HELL YEAH, i love some tl tapes too, but i love the clarity of the 480's!!! and yes, the63's are the SHIZZLE!!

]i'll own a pair ONE of these days!!!

Tim · « **Reply #12 on:** March 23, 2004, 01:43:19 PM »

get a V2, you'll be glad you did.

Todd R · « **Reply #13 on:** March 23, 2004, 03:02:16 PM »

JBK and I taped mofro the other day from the same stand. Chris had adk tl (hypers)> UA5 and I had 483s>V3. I've got copies of both if you're interested. If you want immediate gratification, I've got a BT up on COtapers.org of my mofro set, and since I missed the first 2-3 minutes, that portion has been patched with JBK's tl source. So you can hear sources on this BT.

Not the best comparison since they are using different pre+AD, but since mics will have the biggest impact on sound, it might give you some idea of the differences between the tl's and 480's.

junkbondking · « **Reply #14 on:** March 23, 2004, 04:09:39 PM »

and i would like to point out i think my levels are a little low in the first couple songs of mofro.....

how do u think it sounded todd ?

utahtaper · « **Reply #15 on:** March 25, 2004, 10:36:05 AM »

Quote from: jnorman34 on March 22, 2004, 07:34:03 PM

i have not used the ADKs, so icannot comment on them directly, but having examined the electronic design of the mic amps for the ADK and the c480s, i can tell you they are not comparable. the akg utilizes only top end components, where the adk is of more common design. based on this alone, i would certainly conclude that the akg is likely both superior acoustically, and should have a longer service life.

I agree. Although the TL's are great mics, there is a reason why they are less than half the price of 480's in respect to buying new. Sometimes you really do get what you pay for.
Please don't flame me

caymanreview · « **Reply #16 on:** March 26, 2004, 10:44:30 PM »

im definantly not gonna flame you, but i did +T you for your opinion which is very similar to mine

Xpanding Man · « **Reply #17 on:** March 28, 2004, 12:59:47 AM »

481s .... if money and multiple pattern options are not issues

C.Clark · « **Reply #18 on:** March 28, 2004, 04:14:35 PM »

add that v2 to the minime, i run the smae thing and it smokes, literally and figuratively

Brian · « **Reply #19 on:** March 28, 2004, 08:23:36 PM »

Quote from: Tim on March 23, 2004, 01:43:19 PM

get a V2, you'll be glad you did.

I know I am!!!

ToddL · « **Reply #20 on:** March 30, 2004, 11:59:52 PM »

I run TL's -> V3 and have to say that there is rarely a time where I can find faults in this setup (it's usually me

). I'd love to have a pair of U89's but the budget just doesn't allow it. And short of having a pair of B&K 4006 omni's and a ST-250 in my bag, I cant think of another setup that would suit so many situations.