AKG - C12

Yeah I prefer c12 and 414 as overheads myself. For clarity though. Not necessarily because they are a bright mic and not because they’re on a “bright instrument”. I’ve done my time in major recording studios too. Seen plenty of c12, 67, r88, 451, 4038, and shure 81 on overheads. It’s more about the character of the mic. Not “bright inst=bright mic”.

Hardly the case in big studio recording. As a staff engineer of quite a few years at a major studio in LA, I’d say about ~75% of the time overhead mics are AKG C12s, C12a’s, 414s, etc… Oftentimes the mic choice is more about the sonic character of the cymbals/playing style of the player. If it’s pop, soul, soft rock, etc. then C12s are a great choice. If it’s metal, heavier rock, pop punk etc., then a ribbon like a Coles 4038 or AEA ribbons might be better since the drummer is likely bashing on bright cymbals. Just depends! You can compliment bright with bright, or try to balance it out if it’s problematic.

I was doing some stem mastering and the producer asked me if i know what he recorded the vocals with and how they sounded I said they sounded absolutely fine and i have no fucking clue what he used. Apparently it was SM7B. I also had AKG C12 in my studio for a couple of years and it was rarely what i used. People awe on it, but due to very specific character it can be a pain to work with. Where i find the most difference and something that isn’t easily EQ-d out is response on sibilances - some mics tend to be overloaded easily and then the sibilants get a crunchy low/lowmid distortion which can sometimes sound just bad, this is simply due to how much air a sibilant pushes out overloading the diaphragm

This is what I was going to say, I have their blumlein ribbon and c12, they are great for the price

C12s are underrated, I love a ribbon in this situation too

I own a C12 but I would consider that more of a “nice to have” than a “must have”

Vintage AKG C-12 -> Chandler Limited TG2 -> Mytek AD —> RME Fireface UCX ii -> Cubase Pro14

I’d look at a C12 flavored mic that flavor is missing from your current selection

251 - > Avalon / Crane Song / or a console mic input if vintage or SSL. C800 - > Neve or TubeTech, Chandler C12 -> NPNG, TubeTech, Crane Song, Avalon Or a chandler / Neve to grit up the highs and accentuate them. On a budget get a nice transformer based condenser and upgrade the capsule and transistors. Something like a sterling audio ST77 drop in a Thiersch capsule pair with a warm audio WA12 or any other entry level preamp with decent components.