Topic: What are the differences between the AKG C34, C422 and C426?

[Teen Wolf Blitzer]

ssia

[Brian Skalinder]

I believe all <1> are single-point stereo mics, <2> allow up to 270º rotation between the two caps, and <3> use a remote box for adjusting the polar pattern across 9 steps, from omni to figure-8. 

But you asked about differences.  The C34 is small diaphragm, and the C422/C426 are large diaphragm.  I'm unsure of the differences between the 422 and 426.

Still miss my C34.  If you have the chance to get one at a reasonable price...get it.

Edit to add:  you might find some info in the Archives section of the AKG website.

[Teen Wolf Blitzer]

So would you say the 34 is preferable over the 422/426?  I'm not quite sure what you mean by small  diaphragm vs large diaphragm.  They all look the same from the naked eye.  Is the C34 way smaller?

[bhtoque]

The 34 is a small diaphragm mic. The 422 and 426 are large diaphragm. I'd say a 34 is about 3/5ths the size of the 422.

The 426 is just the new version of the 422. I've never compared them to see which sounds better. Not sure exactly what changes there are between the two generations.

JAson

[easy jim]

The c34 uses the same cardioid capsules as the 451 series (ck1), while the c422 and c426 use the same capsules from the 414 series (ck12).  I'm not sure about the differences between the 422 and 426, though I suspect that it is a primarily older vs. newer and maybe some differences in the electronics/circuitry.

[Teen Wolf Blitzer]

Weird.  So the caps must be super small.  They look the same.  I guess a side by side would really show the difference.

c34


c422

[JasonSobel]

based on what's already been posted in this thread...

c34 = 7.75" long x 1.5" diameter
c422 = 9.25" long x 1.5" diameter

It's interesting that while the c34 is 1.5 inches shorter than the c422, they have the same diameter.

[bhtoque]

I bet that's the diameter of the body, not the head around the capsules.

JAson

[notlance]

And as you probably realize, the C422/C426 mics are multi-pattern mics, and the C34 is cardioid only, which means, of course, the C34 has no remote pattern selection box.  The C422/C426 mics are much more versatile at the expense of size, weight, and $$$.

[Brian Skalinder]

the C34 is cardioid only

I think you're thinking of the C33.

[Teen Wolf Blitzer]

There is a C34 xy  (cards only)

http://cgi.ebay.com/AKG-C34XY-Stereo-Condenser-Microphone-w-cable-stand-box_W0QQitemZ290371140181QQcmdZViewItemQQptZLH_DefaultDomain_0?hash=item439b77fa55

[audBall]

There is a C34 xy  (cards only)

http://cgi.ebay.com/AKG-C34XY-Stereo-Condenser-Microphone-w-cable-stand-box_W0QQitemZ290371140181QQcmdZViewItemQQptZLH_DefaultDomain_0?hash=item439b77fa55

I think there were three versions of the c34.  The c34 (with dual capsules capable of all patterns), the c34XY with two cardioid mics, and the c34 M&S, which I assume had a cardioid and a dual capsule. 

Keyword:  think

[notlance]

the C34 is cardioid only

I think you're thinking of the C33.

There is a C34 xy  (cards only)

http://cgi.ebay.com/AKG-C34XY-Stereo-Condenser-Microphone-w-cable-stand-box_W0QQitemZ290371140181QQcmdZViewItemQQptZLH_DefaultDomain_0?hash=item439b77fa55

I think there were three versions of the c34.  The c34 (with dual capsules capable of all patterns), the c34XY with two cardioid mics, and the c34 M&S, which I assume had a cardioid and a dual capsule.

It is clear that I am confused and I was thinking of the card only version of the C34 or the C33.  Sorry I increased rather than decreased the confusion level in this thread.

[timP]

always wanted a c33


seems like the easiest to run, quickest to set up, good all around sounding mic out there



hardly ever see them pop up for sale


one day. maybe.

[Nick's Picks]

everything has been covered here.
the 422/426 was a fixed rotation of 180deg of one cap, and then the bottom twisted the other way 45deg to "snap" you into a perfect 90deg orientation of the diaphragms.
going by memory of my 422....

C33  ck1 caps, cards only.  position adjustment
c34  4x ck1 caps, 8 patterns.  position adj.

as mentioned, the 42x series use the CK12 LD cap.
there is also a c424, although rare and hard to find.  Its a 4 chan output ...sort of like an ambesonic mic.  looks just like the others though.