not very musical/natural 
by Davis White from Springfield, VA, February 2008
Music Background:  Drummer, Engineer, Synths

I had a pair of these mics, my first small condensers. They did not complement my Mackie preamps. Acoustic guitars were stringy, cymbells were unfocused, guitar amps were undynamic, and the C 100 S only complemented a few vocalists, the rest were too airy. It once worked great as a mono drum overhead. Also good on very dull acoustic instruments which need help like a baritone uke. Hip-Hoppers seem to be using them on drums nowadays - perhaps that is why the price has gone up again to what I originally paid. These were dirt dirt cheap for a few years. I never got natural results with them. Much easier to get good sounds quickly with just about any other mic I have now.

  "AKG?, that's ok but hey have you got a Neumann?" 
by Richard Romanowski from Levittown, PA formally Big Sur, CA, November 2007
Music Background:  Studio owner since 1983 (the old analogue days), we've become digitized in 2001.

OK, let me start off and quantify the issue by telling you that I have 2 (two) of these microphones. In the past and as they do now, they continue to serve me well and have always completed their assigned task in exemplary manner. Whether used as overheads for drums or in conjunction with an AKG C2000 for picking up special nuances when recording an acoustic guitar. However, you will notice one thing, that even though the C1000S is a good piece of equipment that Sweetwater presents at a fabulous price, the microphones do tend to reside on the "airy" side. My advise, if you can afford it, or in reality, "just how important is your music to you?", look into picking up something by the Neumann company. Afterall, those Germans make good beer you know their microphones are going to be great!

  A multipurpose condenser at a great price! 
by Phil LaDue from Owego, NY USA, June 2007
Music Background:  Live Sound Engineer

The AKG C 1000 S is a truly versatile condenser. I have it used for everything from lead vocals to violins. The price does not fit the performance. There is one thing I don't like about the product, the supplied windscreens tear easily and are only single stage.

  Nice Mic! 
by MukfromOhio from Chardon, Ohio, October 2006
Music Background:  Active Musician

The AKG C1000S is a decent condensor mic for the price. I have two that I use for recording. They're well built, and come with a soft case for travel. They also come with a windscreen, and an adaptor to switch between cardioid and hyper-cardioid, which make them versatile. A mic clip is also included. They've held up well for me so far. They record really well, but have a somewhat brittle sound, so use of a mic-pre would help warm up the sound.

ehh---not too hot 
by Eric from CT, September 2004

This mic is a bit cheap. It, like many in the C series, sounds cheap and thin. It has a tinny upper end. It's OK as a secondary mic on an amp or some percussion, but as your main mic it lacks. It's OK for field work, however, but not as good as the Rode NT3. See the reviews on the NT3 for more...


...regardless, if you have the money to spend on THIS mic, you can pick up something better. The NT3 is in the same class price-wise, but performs much better. If you're in the market for an inexpensive small or med. diaphragm mic, get the NT3 before you blow your money on the C1000. A lackluster effort from AKG. I give it a 4 of 10 for value (only because the sound you get from it can be bettered by a cheaper, competing mic), quality a 6 of 10 (interchangeable capsule feature is mostly plastic), features an 8 of 10 (interchangeable capsules a plus) but soundwise i give it a 5 because it just sounds too tinny and thin.

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