AKG - C414 XLS

C214. Its literary the same capsule as one half of the CK12 but with a few microns of teflon heated onto the backplate. virtually there is a littlebit of additional capacitance because of that, which increases nonlinearity by a unperceptable amount. But thats nothing compared to the C414 where the two capsules are in parallel, so one acts as a capacitive pad for the other, which increases distortion by a lot. I am a strong believer that the C214 is actually a superior mic compared to the C414 XLS and XLII. And because the C114 and C104 circuits are vastly superior compared to the C214 in dynamic range (132dB in the case of the C114), the ultimate CK12 style microphone would be the C104 with a C214 capsule. Gras makes high-end measurement microphones and they only make electrets. And boy, their linearity is extremely good.

I was in a similar situation. I spent more but I got a 414 XLS (Condenser). You can def do it all with whatever mic, but even the Audio Technica one Finneas used for Billie Elish's stuff is a great mic. Also condenser. Inclosing, condenser. Also... a duet... fucking rocks. I had an old first gen Duet and I still miss that colour. It sounded great. You're well set.

I've bought a used Soyuz 017 Tube about 6 months ago and it's absolutely phenomenal! I know it's not in the same price range at all but, this is definitely my favorite. I used to use a C414 XLS and that was also very nice. I also once used the C214 (but that time it was for male vocals), it was not really the same as the C414 which I knew pretty well but, it was pretty close and it did a great job. I've never tried anything from Austrian Audio but I've only heard good things about them. My guess is the OC818 is probably closer to the C414 and the OC16 closer to the C214. I've seen a lot of people recommending the MD441 for female vocals, I think it's probably the next mic I'm going to buy.

C414 (xlii and similar) are notorious for being harsh, i’d pick any other similar range LDC over c414 xlii for vocals. In fact i’d pick a few cheaper LDCs over it. C414 without year and models doesnt say much https://www.sweetwater.com/insync/history-akg-c414/ Also i dont agree with xls being dark, but its a decent article

They’re basically shrill, on high pitched vocals they fall apart XLS is absolutely the better option if you want a new 414, but im obligated to say that OC818 also exists

C414 (xlii and similar) are notorious for being harsh, i’d pick any other similar range LDC over c414 xlii for vocals. In fact i’d pick a few cheaper LDCs over it. C414 without year and models doesnt say much https://www.sweetwater.com/insync/history-akg-c414/ Also i dont agree with xls being dark, but its a decent article

Yes absolutely, was just expanding on the c414 because not all 414s are actually harsh

The new version of this is the 414 XLS. Not harsh at all. The XLS has a rising top end, great for acoustic steel string guitars. Me usual no likey for vocals.

IMO the XLS *is* one of the brighter models, the B ULS is a common darker one

oh yeah, I wasn't that familiar with the differences, I just bought a couple of C414B XLS ages ago and they've done me pretty well on the whole. I wouldn't call them dark either, they are pretty bright hence the fact that with certain vocalists I've used other mics. I hate to think how bright the brighter C414s must be.

Both, and it's not always a question of the microphone being cheap, in my experience C414s pick up a lot of sibilance because they are detailed and fairly bright. If it's a big issue you can try a ribbon mic or a dynamic. The Electro Voice RE-20 is a great dynamic mic for vocals, but it is a bit pricy. Depending on the singer and the genre an SM58 or equivalent can actually do a good job. You can also pair a dynamic and a condenser and the slight phase between them can really thicken up the vocal and give you more textures to work with.

There can be quite a dramatic difference between revisions, so there could be one you like. I've always found the silver EBs to be beautiful mics. ULSs and TLIIs were what we'd put up when we ran out of U87s - workable, but nothing special. While the XLS/XLII stuff sounds strangely artificial to me.

What you are asking is a unicorn. At that budget you'll mostly get mid range gear. You could find the mic that suits your voice but it'd be luck mostly. Almost no one goes "what's that microphone" on a recording. Just because -1 if it sounds good it sounds good. -2 there is not only the microphone. Preamps will weight in the sound too. The room wil allow some microphones, some placement etc... It's not that one incredible mic that will make the change if the rest of the signal chain is sub part in terms of quality. For me you're doing it the wrong way. Think long term, find the microphone you like and see what you can build slowly towards it. If you can not buy twice it's always better. On your budget/situation, the sm7b (re20 if in the us) is a sturdy no nonsense mic. You'll need a cloudlifter, as the focusrite will be a bit short in gain. This mic is something you'll keep on the long run, and is in your budget. (At the moment I usualy record voices with a U87 and a SM7b, together they give a range of sound that is very interesting) In neumann range, I'd stay away frop the 102/103. For a good large membrane condenser, you'll need a 1200/1500 budget for a starter (the TLM 49 could be nice for you in that range) Then look around for preamps, learn the difference between lamp, transistor...learn the known sounds you will prefer. Then invest in a good one. Trust me, a good preamp will make a basic microphone shine. A good mic will reveal how good or bad is the rest of your chain. Then what are your monitors? If you can't hear it, it'll be luck trying to make it sound without gear that allows you to hear all of it... This is a rabbit hole, and you can't simply get that wow sound with a entry level correct microphone. And all that plug in emulation, as much as it can do the trick, a real hardware gear really shows the difference. Uad unissons are good with the mix of hardware/plug in but if you compare to the hardware unit, the hardware has more range and depth. (I could get to the sound of the 610 plug in with the 610 hardware, but not the other way around). Well... all that the say :p Look at it from a perspective of slowly building up where you want to go in the long run A good dynamic mic (sm7b/re20) seems like what you are able to afford right now, it is never a bad investment. If you learn phase problems, you'll even be able to use your actual mic to add a bit of air and top end, but keeping that mid/low thickness of the dynamic as a base for your sound. Akg C214 is extremely bright, I'd take a nt1 instead most of the time. Comparing both the 414 is more in the range of the nt1. It is bright but remains a workhorse. Probably not the best for what you want to achieve. Good luck to you, the way is long ;)

I dislike every version of the 414, and I think it’s vastly overrated. {*ducks to avoid angry mob*}The ULS, EB, XLS, XLII… I dislike them all, on everything. Have owned many and tried many on overheads, toms, guitars, vocals, piano, tried them on everything and I just cannot make them sound right in a mix. They’re somehow muddy and harsh at the same time. Not crisp and clear like a C12A or similar predecessor. Eventually sold them all. Give me a Milab or DPA or Bock/Soundelux or almost anything else, and I’d prefer it 10x over. AKG D112. This one used to be MORE overrated than it is now, but most people now realize there’s at least 5 or 10 better options. D12VR, D6, M82, VKick, etc etc. Second vote for 421 on toms - insanely overrated. Not a great sound. Although, I do like 421s on guitars and pianos with amps (Wurli, Rhodes, clav, etc) Also agree on SM7B… there are just so many better mics for vocals and VO. Literally hundreds of better mics on the market. It just doesn’t sound that great. Can be great with switches set flat on a guitar amp though.