C414 XLII [Open Box]

The AKG C414 XLII multi-pattern condenser microphone gives you nine selectable polar patterns, so a single mic can adapt to nearly any recording situation from a solo vocalist to a full room ensemble. Its slight presence boost and spatial reproduction echo the character of AKG's legendary C12 microphone from 1953, giving vocals and solo performances a detailed, open sound. A peak hold LED flags even the shortest overload peaks, and three attenuation levels (-6, -12, and -18dB) combined with three switchable bass-cut filters let you dial in close-up recording or high-output sources up to 158dB SPL without distortion. For live sound and permanent installations, all front-panel controls can be disabled to prevent accidental changes mid-session. The nine polar patterns include omnidirectional, wide cardioid, cardioid, hypercardioid, and figure of eight, covering everything from tight vocal isolation to capturing a whole ensemble in one pass. With a low 6dB-A equivalent noise level and 88dB-A signal-to-noise ratio, the C414 XLII stays quiet even on the softest passages, making it a mic that can anchor a serious studio for years.