Topic: AKG Blue vs AKG ULS

[cavernut]

Can anyone tell me the differences in these two series of Mics???
How does the sound differ?'
I know a lot of people use the ULS mics, so how about the Blue?

[tgakidis]

Mike, as many have suggested, you should check the archive for sound samples to get the best "feel" for the results from each line of microphones.  I for one am a huge ULS fan and have the whole line, each capsule has it's purpose.

The advantage to the blue line is that they have a figure 8 capsule and there is a remote cable used to extend the capsule away from the bodies, similar to active cables but with out the "active" feature (No longer produced, but can be found).  The ULS series had produced a cable also for the c460b preamp but these are pretty rare and require a whole different series of capsules (ck_x).  The ULS series has a dual short/long shotgun capsule and blue line has a short gun only.

I would also suggest you post some questions about the AKG lines on the AKG site forum: http://www.akg.com/site/powerslave,id,39,nodeid,39,board,2,_language,EN.html

Blue Line Specs: http://www.akg.com/site/products/powerslave,id,231,pid,231,nodeid,2,_language,EN,view,specs.html

ULS Series Specs: http://www.akg.com/site/products/powerslave,id,225,pid,225,nodeid,2,_language,EN,view,specs.html

Here is a sample of c480b w/ ck63 (Hypers) into a Mini-MP  http://www.archive.org/details/brew2008-11-28.c483b

As far as our discussions about the Mini-MP, here is a list of all my pulls on the archive with the Mini-MP in question.  Some are post audience & soundborad mixes and all of them are with some variation of c460b, c480b or c414b XLII.

http://www.archive.org/search.php?query=taper%3A%28ted%20gakidis%29%20AND%20source%3A%28mini-mp%29

Here is a list of SE 900 samples: http://www.archive.org/search.php?query=se%20300%20AND%20collection%3Aetree&sort=-date

[stevetoney]

In addition, the blueline series is quite a bit less expensive on both the new and used market...roughly half the price.  The bluelines are several mm narrower in diameter than the 460/480s.

Both sets of mics sound really good.  Their sound is quite similar, but I think most people will agree that the 460 and 480 series sounds better as they should since they cost more.  Both mic series actually sound very similar in the mid and high frequencies.  It's the low frequencies where the differences exist.  The bluelines are very warm and pleasing, but a bit loose.  Even so, they provide fantastic bang for the buck in the price range they occupy.  The 460/480s tighten that low end up perfectly.  Many people's microphone searches end at the 460/480 because, for the price, they feel that there's just nothing better.  Hard to argue the point.  On TS.com, I'm confident in saying that 460/480 are the most popular mics for recording live music in terms of total ownership...probably by a wide margin.

There's been many posts made by knowledgeable recordists that claim that the 480 with a ck63 capsule is the best sounding hypercardioid combination on earth...Schoeps and MG users typically respond at this point, but there's universal agreement that this combination sounds absolutely wonderful, in terms of hypercardioid comparisons.

In the preceding post, Ted makes reference to actives for the 460's.  He states that the active cables are rare to find.  That's true and you should note that the ck_X capsules that must be used are even rarer to find, so making plans to go that route is not advised, unless you have the inside track on such a rig.  If you do, go for it because it's as good sounding or better IMHO than any of the alternatives I've described above.

[jlykos]

One of the key differences is the tendency for the AKG Blueline series microphones to overload at high volume levels.  This manifests itself on audible distortion in the recording.  The ULS series can handle higher SPL levels and do not distort as easily.

[tgakidis]

One of the key differences is the tendency for the AKG Blueline series microphones to overload at high volume levels.  This manifests itself on audible distortion in the recording.  The ULS series can handle higher SPL levels and do not distort as easily.

Is that where this comes into play?

Blue Line Specs:
Frequency range 20 to 20,000 Hz
Preattenuation pad 10 dB, switchable
Bass filter 12 dB/octave at 75 Hz
Impedance <200 ohms
Recommended load impedance >1000 ohms
Supply voltage 9 to 52 V phantom power to DIN 45596

ULS Specs:
Polar pattern 10 to 30,000 Hz
Preattenuation pad +6, 0, -10 dB, selectable
Bass filter 12 dB/octave at 70 or 150 Hz
Impedance <150 ohms
Recommended load impedance >2000 ohms/1000 pF
Supply voltage 48 V phantom power to DIN 45596

[illconditioned]

IMO they both have great (and natural, uncolored) frequency response but the ULS have much more detail than the Blueline.  Lots of people like the ULS, but not so many people like the blueline.

  Richard

[TNJazz]

Lots of people like the ULS, but not so many people like the blueline.

I hate them both.

 

[illconditioned]

Lots of people like the ULS, but not so many people like the blueline.

I hate them both.

 

I've found the 461/463 (transformer version) to be OK.  Better than the 480 series.  Then again, there are other choices out there 

  Richard

[TNJazz]

Lots of people like the ULS, but not so many people like the blueline.

I hate them both.

 

I've found the 461/463 (transformer version) to be OK.  Better than the 480 series.  Then again, there are other choices out there 

  Richard

Hmph...yeah, well...OK.  The 460's aren't too bad I guess.  Personally I much prefer the 451/452 if you *HAVE* to own AKGs. 

Of course as always, YMMV.

[SmokinJoe]

One of the key differences is the tendency for the AKG Blueline series microphones to overload at high volume levels.  This manifests itself on audible distortion in the recording.  The ULS series can handle higher SPL levels and do not distort as easily.

Is that where this comes into play?

Blue Line Specs:
Frequency range 20 to 20,000 Hz
Preattenuation pad 10 dB, switchable
Bass filter 12 dB/octave at 75 Hz
Impedance <200 ohms
Recommended load impedance >1000 ohms
Supply voltage 9 to 52 V phantom power to DIN 45596

ULS Specs:
Polar pattern 10 to 30,000 Hz
Preattenuation pad +6, 0, -10 dB, selectable
Bass filter 12 dB/octave at 70 or 150 Hz
Impedance <150 ohms
Recommended load impedance >2000 ohms/1000 pF
Supply voltage 48 V phantom power to DIN 45596

I don't think that impedance difference is the key.  The design intent of ULS series is for loud things like overhead drums.  Blueline are less so.  Sports cars go faster than tractors, different design intent.  It doesn't mean they are better, just different, and which is better for a given application depends what you are doing.

Also, one big difference is the 390 series capsules are Electret condensers I believe, that is permanently charged, and the ULS are true condensers.  That said, this doesn't mean they are cheap... DPA4022's, Earthworks, and CK1x caps, and other "quality" mics are electrets and they aren't junk.  And this is probably the key reason a few people have been able to make their "active mic system"  starting with just the CK91 caps, and why the "AKG Active project" (for ULS capsules) progresses slowly.

The thing in my mind that no one is coming right out and saying... comparing AKG and Ford,  the ULS's are Lincoln Town Car, and the Bluelines are a Taurus (middle of the line).  And then AKG makes cheaper mics too, which would be the Escort or Focus.

[JasonSobel]

One of the key differences is the tendency for the AKG Blueline series microphones to overload at high volume levels.  This manifests itself on audible distortion in the recording.  The ULS series can handle higher SPL levels and do not distort as easily.

actually, the specs on the 391's indicate that they can handle SPL's of 132dB, while the 481's published specs say that they can handle SPL's of 134dB (both without the attenuation switch on the mic bodies.  with the -10dB switch engaged, the max SPL of each mic goes up by 10dB).  that's only a difference of 2dB, and 132dB SPL is very loud.  louder than anything you'll ever hear at a show.  To sum up, if you've heard distortion from the mics because of loud sound levels, the mics were likely underpowered (or the pre-amp circuitry was overloading or something else was at fault).

[jkbyram]

Lots of people like the ULS, but not so many people like the blueline.

I hate them both.

 

I've found the 461/463 (transformer version) to be OK.  Better than the 480 series.  Then again, there are other choices out there 

  Richard

Hmph...yeah, well...OK.  The 460's aren't too bad I guess.  Personally I much prefer the 451/452 if you *HAVE* to own AKGs. 

Of course as always, YMMV.

i have a couple of rooms where the 451's out perform the 460's but usually the 460 is my first choice. i run my 460 with the ck1 caps so that may be part of the reason.  ck1 card caps are sweet to my ears.

[tgakidis]

Lots of people like the ULS, but not so many people like the blueline.

I hate them both.

 

I've found the 461/463 (transformer version) to be OK.  Better than the 480 series.  Then again, there are other choices out there 

  Richard

Hmph...yeah, well...OK.  The 460's aren't too bad I guess.  Personally I much prefer the 451/452 if you *HAVE* to own AKGs. 

Of course as always, YMMV.

i have a couple of rooms where the 451's out perform the 460's but usually the 460 is my first choice. i run my 460 with the ck1 caps so that may be part of the reason.  ck1 card caps are sweet to my ears.

I have to agree with you.  I am loving my ck1's with the 480's right now.

[OFOTD]

I have to agree with you.  I am loving my ck1's with the 480's right now.

I assume that was a typo and you meant 460's?

[tgakidis]

I have to agree with you.  I am loving my ck1's with the 480's right now.

I assume that was a typo and you meant 460's?

No, I have run my 480's with the a60 & ck1's twice now.  http://www.archive.org/details/brew2008-12-11.480-ck1.flac

Here is a link to some discussion on it as well.  http://taperssection.com/index.php/topic,114445.0.html