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AKG Pro Audio P420 Dual Capsule Condenser Microphone, Black (3101H00430)
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Purchase options and add-ons
Recommended Uses For Product | Streaming, Singing |
Brand | AKG Pro Audio |
Model Name | P420 |
Connectivity Technology | Wired |
Special Feature | In the Perception 420, 2 back-to-back large-diaphragm capsules create a flexible multi-pattern microphone capable of cardioid, omni, and figure-8 recording patterns. It features AKG's new design and logo style, True Condenser capsule technology, a switchable -20 dB preattenuation pad, and a switchable bass-cut filter to minimize noise and boominess. The condenser microphone is housed in a rugged chassis with a gold-plated XLR-type output. Spider-type shock mount and metal case included. See more |
Color | Sliver Blue |
Included Components | P420 microphone, spider shock mount, metal carrying case |
Polar Pattern | Multipattern |
Audio Sensitivity | 79 dB |
Item Weight | 1.2 Pounds |
About this item
- One-inch dual-diaphragm microphone with three selectable polar patterns for the perfect setting
- Low noise electronics for high dynamic range
- Switchable attenuation pad for high SPL applications up to 155 dB SPL
- Professional condenser microphones
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This Item AKG Pro Audio P420 Dual Capsule Condenser Microphone, Black (3101H00430) | Recommendations | dummy | dummy | dummy | dummy | |
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Price | $196.00$196.00 | $249.00$249.00 | $159.00$159.00 | $149.00$149.00 | $219.00$219.00 | -37% $139.00$139.00 List: $219.00 |
Delivery | Get it as soon as Monday, Apr 1 | Get it as soon as Tuesday, Apr 2 | Get it as soon as Monday, Apr 1 | Get it as soon as Monday, Apr 1 | Get it as soon as Monday, Apr 1 | Get it as soon as Tuesday, Apr 2 |
Customer Ratings | ||||||
Sound quality | 4.8 | 4.4 | 4.2 | — | — | — |
Value for money | 4.4 | 4.3 | 4.3 | — | — | — |
Sold By | Discount Convert | Amazon.com | Amazon.com | Liquid Audio Inc | Rock & Soul DJ Equipment & Records | Liquid Audio Inc |
power source | — | Battery Powered | Corded Electric | Battery Powered | Corded Electric | Battery Powered |
connectivity tech | Wired | USB, XLR | XLR | XLR | XLR | — |
model number | 3101H00430 | NT1 5th Gen | NT1SIGNATUREBLACK | ATM73AC | ATM710 | ATM73CW |
audio sensitivity | 79 decibels | 45 decibels | 4 decibels | — | 40 decibels | — |
noise level | 15 decibels | 4 decibels | 4 decibels | — | — | — |
signal-to-noise ratio | 79 decibels | 80 decibels | 78 decibels | 77 decibels | 80 decibels | 75 decibels |
polar pattern | Multipattern | Unidirectional | Unidirectional | Unidirectional | Unidirectional | Unidirectional |
weight | 1.17 pounds | 308 grams | 313 grams | 0.12 pounds | 1.25 pounds | 0.14 pounds |
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Product information
Item Weight | 1.17 pounds |
---|---|
ASIN | B00167UQMI |
Item model number | 3101H00430 |
Customer Reviews |
4.7 out of 5 stars |
Best Sellers Rank | #15,872 in Musical Instruments (See Top 100 in Musical Instruments) #218 in Multipurpose Condenser Microphones |
Is Discontinued By Manufacturer | No |
Date First Available | April 26, 2008 |
Color Name | Sliver Blue |
Material Type | Metal |
Size | 9.80 x 5.50 x 9.00 inches |
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What's in the box
Product Description
The AKG Perception 420 Studio Condenser Microphone features legendary AKG sound quality and a dual-element design that accommodates cardioid, omni, and figure-8 patterns. The Perception 420 includes a shock mount and a metal case, and is equipped with a -20dB pad switch and a bass cut filter switch that allows easy removal of wind noise and other unwanted low frequencies. The AKG Perception 420 Studio Condenser Microphone is a new addition to the acclaimed Perception line of AKG microphones.
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Customer reviews
Customer Reviews, including Product Star Ratings help customers to learn more about the product and decide whether it is the right product for them.
To calculate the overall star rating and percentage breakdown by star, we don’t use a simple average. Instead, our system considers things like how recent a review is and if the reviewer bought the item on Amazon. It also analyzed reviews to verify trustworthiness.
Learn more how customers reviews work on AmazonCustomers say
Customers like the sound quality, quality, value, performance, and pattern of the microphone. For example, they mention that it's great on acoustic guitar, drum overheads, vocals or just a room mic, and that the accuracy of the sound is impressive. That said, they say it'll give you many options for different instruments and applications.
AI-generated from the text of customer reviews
Customers like the sound quality of the microphone. They mention that the sound is awesome, the accuracy is impressive, and the proper gain settings can get almost noiseless recordings. It's great on acoustic guitar, drum overheads, vocals, or just a room mic, and it's good overall drum recording. The music that is being recorded is very clear, and its directionality is perfect at keeping noises outside the house off.
"...I put it back together, and it’s been perfect ever since. No noise, no wiggling the XLR cable. And the sound is great for my needs...." Read more
"...The sound quality goes well with my alto voice and despite living off a busy main street, the directionality is perfect at keeping noises outside..." Read more
"...I think it's great on acoustic guitar, drum overheads, vocals or just a room mic just put it in the back of the studio...." Read more
"...The mic is everything I hoped it would be. Clear crisp sounds and the options I may want to use...." Read more
Customers are satisfied with the quality of the microphone. They mention that it is excellent, solid, and has studio quality. The build quality is great, and the sound quality is good for vocals and acoustic guitar. It is terrific for recording vocals, and is a good budget mic. Overall, customers are happy with their purchase and recommend it to others.
"I really like this microphone. Stunningly good build quality, great shock mount, selectable polar pattern, and a really good case...." Read more
"...how to clean your noise levels but all in all, just a fantastic mic for midlevel vo actors or podcasters." Read more
"...Very well built, and still working after a few accidental drops lolWould buy AKG again" Read more
"Build quality is great, sound quality and versatility make this mic ideal for home, or small recording studio setup." Read more
Customers appreciate the value of the microphone. They say it's the best mic for the price and a very good budget mic.
"...Overall, this is a great value for a durable microphone that sounds very good." Read more
"This is a great microphone for the price! AKG makes them solid. The P420 is a condenser mic that needs phantom power...." Read more
"...This AKG is not too expensive, but a big improvement over the Shure SM-57 microphones I had been using. Get two!" Read more
"This is a good mic at a great price." Read more
Customers like the performance of the microphone. They say it has been working well, has been happy with the overall results, and has no issues. Some say it's well built and still works after a few accidental drops.
"...to keep things as silent as possible and have been very happy with the overall vo results...." Read more
"...I use it with other microphones and it works really well...." Read more
"...] I bought the product used, it is very good, like new, well packaged like new" Read more
"...Very well built, and still working after a few accidental drops lolWould buy AKG again" Read more
Customers like the polar pattern of the microphone. They say it has selectable polar patterns, providing many options for different instruments and applications.
"...Stunningly good build quality, great shock mount, selectable polar pattern, and a really good case...." Read more
"...This microphone gives you many options for different instruments and applications. I use it with other microphones and it works really well...." Read more
"Build quality is great, sound quality and versatility make this mic ideal for home, or small recording studio setup." Read more
"Pro's:1. Selectable polar patterns2. As a condenser mic it does pick up a lot of sounds even very slight ones.Con's:1...." Read more
Customers are satisfied with the frequency response of the microphone. They mention that it picks up a strong signal even several feet away from the source, and has a much better mid-low range than their previous one.
"...This microphone picks up a strong signal even several feet away from the source, with amazing clarity...." Read more
"...its bright, GREAT frequency response as well!..." Read more
"...I really like it so far. Has a much better mid-low range than my previous one (mxl v67)." Read more
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Top reviews
Top reviews from the United States
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Reviewed in the United States on February 15, 2024
Very well built, and still working after a few accidental drops lol
Would buy AKG again
Top reviews from other countries
Such is the case with the dual diaphragm AKG P420 (Amazon), one of the Perception series mic lineup. With a street price of $200, the AKG P420 is the higher end of the affordable mic range, but as an AKG, it’s towards the low end of their product line. It has the features and the performance to justify choosing it over a less expensive competitor. The AKG logo never fails to add an “I’m serious” note to your home studio.
Switch It Up
If you’re not familiar with the term “dual diaphragm” condenser, you might be new to the concept of multiple polar patterns in one microphone. The AKG P420 has a pair of one-inch diaphragms, the textbook definition of a large diaphragm microphone. The pair of diaphragms, along with some nifty electronics, offer you a switchable choice of cardioid, omnidirectional, and figure-8 polar patterns.
Most mics have a cardioid pattern, which means they have an area of sensitivity that looks sort of like the simple drawn heart shape, where the bottom of the heart is the area of greatest sensitivity. This is usually where you point toward your sound source.
Omnidirectional means equal sensitivity in the shape of a circle surrounding the mic. If you need a room mic to pick up everything, or if you have several singers recording to a single track, you can use an omnidirectional mic to capture sounds all around.
Figure-8 offers two areas of sensitivity in front and behind the mic, while rejecting sounds to the side. You could capture the sound directly from a guitar amp, for example, while simultaneously grabbing room sound from the back of the mic. Two singers can face each other while in close harmony also. Multiple polar patterns add to a microphone’s versatility, and the best “Swiss Army” microphones feature this capability.
As well as a switch to select polar patterns, the AKG P420 also features a -20 dB pad switch and high pass filter switch, used for high sound pressure levels and rumble reduction respectively.
Perceptions of the AKG P420
This is an affordable microphone that proudly honors its manufacturer’s reputation. AKG’s product page recommends the P420 for use on pianos, strings, horns, woodwinds, drums, and percussion instruments. Oddly missing from the list is vocals, yet there’s nothing that keeps this from being a very good vocal mic.
Typically, large diaphragm condensers used for vocals feature a pronounced presence peak around the 5,000 to 10,000 Hertz range. The AKG P420 comes closest to this ideal when in figure-8 mode, but there and with the other patterns, this boost is modest compared to other mics.
However, the typical inexpensive Chinese large diaphragm mic is often strident and harsh, overproducing sibilance for some voices because of that presence peak. Putting a mic like that on a solo violin may be an invitation to a screech fest.
The AKG P420 is, by design, going to avoid those issues, regardless of which polar pattern you choose. Its frequency response curve for the cardioid pattern looks silky, and this plays out in practice. Voices are clear and articulated without hype. It’s the large diaphragm sound that still sounds natural.
Other Specs
Published numbers are sometimes of little value, originating in lab conditions that your home studio will never see. Usually. These favor the mic over the user, but with the AKG P420, we see a specification that works the other way. Signal to noise shows as a modest 79 dB, which isn’t a stunning figure. Yet, pumping preamp gain for miking an acoustic guitar at about 18 inches displayed no self-noise. Noise was never an issue, despite AKG’s rather average assessment of the mic.
With a maximum sound pressure handling of 135 dB straight and 155 dB with the pad switched on, there’s little short of a rocket launch that the AKG P420 won’t handle in terms of volume, so don’t worry about placing this mic in front of a screaming guitar amp. In fact, its frequency response will likely keep the scream to a minimum.
Conclusion
The AKG P420 (Amazon) is most at home with acoustic instruments, though, producing very balanced and flattering results, without brittleness in the upper frequencies. You’ll be hard pressed to find a use for this mic where it completely fails, the hallmark of a great all-purpose mic. For a couple hundred bucks, you can buy a lot of value with the AKG P420.