Preservation Sound

AKG Studio Microphones Circa 1962

Written by

chris

in

The AKG C-24 stereo condenser mic.  Yes please.  I think if I added up all the time i have spent mounting my Neumann TLM 103s on their X/Y mount I would i run out and buy one of these.   Oh wait!  I don’t have $12,000!  Nevermind!  Anyone have a strong reco for an affordable XY mic that will put the TLM 103s back in their cases for good?

Above, and above: the AKG C 60.  I’ve never used one of these.  Nice-looking example on eBay right now for $850.

The AKG D19.  I own one of these, and I have used it on a few tracks…nice for low-fi-ish hard-strumming steel-string acoustic gtr.   Based on my experience, I feel like the stated claim of 40-16k hz response is extremely optimistic.  The D19 shows up in a few places in music history: most notably as one of the go-to mics at Abbey Road during the Beatles early sessions.  It also shows up in this Elvis/Martina McBride video (see here) wherein Martina duets with The King.  I was working at SONYMUSIC when this video was produced, and I couldn’t help but wonder… in the original ’68 Comeback special, Elvis is using an EV RE15... which looks an awful lot like a D19… Martina’s husband/engineer John McBride is one the biggest Beatles fans in the world…  antique microphone conspiracy theories, take one.

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The AKG D24 Dynamic mic.  Anyone?

Previous vintage AKG microphone coverage on Preservation Sound:

AKG mics of 1954

AKG mics of 1981

AKG mics of 1965

Comments

2 responses to “AKG Studio Microphones Circa 1962”

  1. Robert Murray Avatar
    Robert Murray

    I have 2 AKG D 24 E microphones and 7 AKG D 119 ES microphones and have used both in recording guitar cabs and drum kits. I also have 2 AKG D 12 microphones and have gotten great results on kick and acoustic guitar. I see you have an add for the AKG C 60 microphone, I don’t own one yet but I have the super rare pop/wind shield in two different styles.

    Do you have any D 24 microphones? What is opinion about them in recording?

    Reply
  2. Barton Frank Avatar
    Barton Frank

    I own six AKG D24 microphones. Purchased the first pair in the mid-fifties. I use the D24 microphones for recording along with high end condenser microphones such as U87’s, C414, Mojave MA200, etc. and the D24’s capture the sound as perfectly as any. I believe it has the best sound characteristics of any dynamic microphone. According to rumor the AKG D24 microphone was discontinued due to patent infringement of Neumann’s patents. The AKG D24 microphone was often utilized in live performance by Frank Sinatra, as can be seen on video programming of “Sinatra, One Hundred Years,” and other top vocalists. It really is “The Best.”

    Reply

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