dEScRIPTIoN
Approximately 500 msecs. after you changed a polar pattern, preattenuation, or bass cut
setting, your settings will be saved automatically. If you switch phantom power off and
back on later, these settings will be restored automatically.
Preattenuation Pad
Figure 2: Preattenuation Pad
Selector 2 on the microphone rear panel (refer to fig. 2) lets you increase the headroom
by 6 dB, 12 dB, or 18 dB for distortion-free close-in recording. The preattenuation pad
prevents the microphone's ouptut level, particularly at low frequencies, to overload the
mixer input.
To keep noise levels in the microphone input stage as low as possible, the entire trans‑
ducer section uses extremely high-impedance circuitry. Therefore, the selected (changed)
polar pattern or preattenuation setting will take about 10 to 15 seconds to become fully
active.
Bass Cut Filter
Figure 3: Bass Cut Filter
Selector 3 on the microphone rear panel (refer to fig. 3) reduces low-end distortion cau‑
sed by footfall or wind noise, etc.
The filter takes effect under 160 Hz and filters 6 dB/octave. The bass cut also minimizes
the proximity effect that may arise in close-miking applications (less than 6 inches
(15 cm)).
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C414 XLS / C414 XLII MANUAL
Overload Indication with Peak Hold Function
The polar pattern indicator LEDs also provide an overload indication.
With conventional peak indicators, overload peaks lasting only for a fraction of a second
may easily escape your attention.
The new peak hold function of the C414 XLS and C414 XLII, however, makes sure you
will notice even the shortest overload peak:
If the output level of the microphone equals or exceeds a value of approximately 2 dB
below the overload limit, the currently active polar pattern LED will change to red for
about 3 seconds.
If this happens, we recommend increasing the preattenuation by one or more "notches"
using Selector 2.
2.6
C414 XLII
The C414 XLII has been designed as a sonic alternative to the standard C414 XLS, and
closely approximates the sound of the legendary AKG C12. It is identical to the C414
XLS with the exception of a completely different acoustic resistor that provides a slight
high‑frequency rise at 3 kHz and above.
This HF boost enhances the presence of vocals, so we specifically recommend the
C414 XLII for miking up solo voices or solo instruments (see also sections 4.5 and 4.6).
In addition, it is an excellent choice for distant miking, e.g. suspended from a concert hall
ceiling.
2.7
Stereo Pairs
Realistic stereo recordings require microphones with outstanding performance and
excellent quality.
They also require consistent performance and accurate localization throughout the entire
frequency range from the pair of microphones.
Therefore, every factory‑matched pair of C414 is created from thousands of individual
microphones selected by AKG's sophisticated computer‑aided matching method.
The C414 XLS and C414 XLII matched stereo pairs thus provide the highest possible
correlation over the microphones' entire frequency range and virtually identical sensitivity
for stunning, three‑dimensional recordings.
C414 XLS / C414 XLII MANUAL
dEScRIPTIoN
Overload indication
C414 XLII
Stereo pairs
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