AKG's C 414 B-XLS is a reference-quality microphone especially designed for accurate, beautifully-detailed pickup of any acoustic instrument. With new features, improved technical specifications, ease of use and available accessories, the C 414 B-XLS is part of the next generation of AKG microphone quality. This premium-grade update of the classic C 414 maintains the original's distinctive timbre especially suited for recording or live reproduction of solo vocals and solo instruments.

The C 414 B-XLS is designed to provide high sensitivity (23 mV/Pa [-33 dBV] ± 0.5 dB) for maximum response to any audio source. Its extremely low self-noise characteristics (6 dB-A [0 dB preattenuation], A-weighted) make it ideal for the most delicate source recording or the most demanding onstage application.

Five switchable polar patterns give you the mic you need, when you need it!

With your choice of omnidirectional , wide cardioid , cardioid, hypercardioid , or figure eight patterns, the C 414 B-XLS will quickly become one of the most-used mics in your collection! And verifying your selected pattern is easy: a two-color LED provides a quick visual indication of the current pattern. Plus, an additional output overload LED on the C 414 B-XLS gives you an immediate warning of mic clipping.

Elastic capsule suspension for minimal structurally-transmitted noise

AKG has almost completely eliminated structurally-transmitted vibrations that interfere and color the sound, thanks to a new elastic capsule suspension system. This ensures the C 414 B-XLS is as free of mechanical noise and vibration as possible.

The preferred mic for dozens of instruments

The C 414 B-XLS offers a new degree of reference mic perfection in many difficult recording situations. It is ideal for capturing the wide frequency ranges and broad dynamics of choirs, double basses, cellos and violins, tubas and french horns (and almost all other brass instruments), and Saxophone, clarinet and flute.

All of these improvements to the C 414 B-XLS are answers to requests from ever-demanding recording studios, broadcast stations and concert engineers, but AKG has accomplished them without altering the basic sonic character that makes the legendary C 414 one of the most in-demand mics in the business!