which is better between AKG C451 & C414??

[JAJI]

which is better between AKG C451 & C414 as a

DRUM OVER HEAD MIC.?


thank you.

[johnwhynot]

You'll probably find the 414 more useful; built-in pads and multiple patterns.

The 451 has the advantage of being smaller and easier to suspend over your drum kit.

414s come in many flavors; the newer ones don't sound that great IMO. But I still use 'em!

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[AdamFrick]

The only thing I use the 414 for is drum overheads - and that's often my first choice if they're around...

-adam

414 with minus 20db (mabey 10db) pad and 75hz roll off. Good to go on overheads, but now Royer stereo ribbon beats that combo for me. Great on hi hat if you have the luxury!


414 is a classic project studio all rounder, built like a tank, I find the 451 too delicate and suffers from pops on vocal plosives too much for my taste.

Jules

[smack]

Havent you guys heard about Groove Tubes ?
It seemes to me Americans are overrepresentated on this sides so why go cross the Atlantic when you got good stuff at home? I´ve just bought the AM 62 tube from GT and it sounds great. It must be cheaper for you to buy stuff made in U.S.
451 and 414 uls and TL are great mics though.

Mats in Sweden

[coaster]

interesting-
i have stopped using 414 as overheads. i now tend to use km141 as they are clearer and have a higher definition in the "sparkle" of cymbals. i DO use a 414 on the hihat, and underneath the snare (57 on top) run out-of-phase, summed with the top mic and compressed slightly.
however, 414's kick booty on the km141 for acoustic guitar and various singers.

[tvsound]

451's with 10db in line pads and a ck1 capsule are awesome overheads, they are fantastic tom mikes and will compliment your top snare mike as well when taped directly to it, try it, but use the pad.. I would agree with Julian on the Royer ribbon, I have one of the original Spiedens and it just wails. There is no real need for mikes if you have that one, and the drummer can produce a sound worthy of gentile miking.. Completely different sound then a 414 though.. which i think is void of color and realism.. It's nicer to use an overhead mic that you dont want or need to roll the low end off of..
As far as vocal plosives go there was a capsule called a ck5 that was a popscreen version of the ck1 and it's great as well.. It was a sad day when AKG dropped 451 line and focused on the 460 and Blue series..

Producer Steve Albini liked 451's on drums I belive, but due to them breaking all the time when hit (and being a discontinued line), he moved over to a Josephson model.....
Alt Rock Eng Trivia 4 U

Jules

[Sndguy]

I love the C414b's they are flexible and can be used in a variety of situations, buy two and the possiblities are endless!! The 451's are good but not as rugged or have as many options - check out some used gear sites like soundbroker.com for 414's. Usually you can get them fairly cheap - everyone these day's is looking for something a bit more flashy!!

[talco]

Never done a direct comparison but I think I prefer the 414's.

[This message has been edited by talco (edited 11-10-99).]