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AKG C1000 S MK4 Small-diaphragm Condenser Microphone

Small-diaphragm Cardioid Condenser Microphone with Hypercardioid Adapter, Presence Boost Adapter, -10dB Pad, 80Hz Highpass Filter, and Battery Operation
$249.00

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AKG C1000 S MK4 Small-diaphragm Condenser Microphone
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Ideal Condenser for Studio and Mobile Use

Grab the updated AKG C1000 S MK4 and see what you've been missing. Sweetwater Sales Engineers have long recommended the C1000 S to project studio engineers and field recording specialists for years because of its clarity and versatility, and this updated version is more versatile than ever. Switchable capsule caps provide cardioid and hypercardioid polar pattern, plus an optional gain boost, while the addition of a switchable pad and highpass filter let you tailor the frequency response to a wide range of applications. You can power the C1000 S MK4 with a pair of AA batteries for up to 120 hours, making it a great companion for your mobile recording. What's more, the internally shockmounted capsule has been redesigned with gold-plating to resist rust and corrosion.

AKG C1000 S MK4 Condenser Microphone at a Glance:
  • Great for mobile recording or live sound with phantom or battery power
  • Cardioid pattern can be quickly switched to hypercardioid
  • Switchable pad and highpass filter for added flexibility
Great for mobile recording or live sound with phantom or battery power

The versatility of the C1000 S MK4 makes this an extremely popular model, and one ideally suited for all kinds of recording and live sound applications. If no phantom power is available, the mic can be powered by two standard AA batteries, making it perfect for mobile use. With its new battery monitoring electronics, the C1000 S MK4 features a reliable LED warning light. The red LED above the microphone switch lights up when the C1000 S MK4's remaining battery life falls below 45 minutes. You'll never be caught with a useless mic in situations where phantom power is not available!

Cardioid pattern can be quickly switched to hypercardioid

Many of us here at Sweetwater have used C1000 S models since they first came out, and they're wonderful mics for acoustic guitar, percussion, and even certain types of vocals. One of the things that makes this mic particularly versatile is its switchable diaphragm cabs, which let you choose between cardioid and hypercardioid polar patterns, or add a presence boost. With the presence boost adapter in place, you get an extra 3-5dB of high-end enhancement between 5kHz and 9kHz, which can be a real asset if you're using your C1000 S MK4 for ENG or interview applications.

Switchable pad and highpass filter for added flexibility

One of the most surprising things about the C1000 S MK4 revision is the addition of both a highpass filter and a pad. While you won't find these controls on the outside of the mic, they're accessible via the battery compartment, where you can't accidentally switch the setting during run-and-gun recording. The highpass filter is set at 80Hz, which is perfect for cutting out handling noise (already mitigated by the internal spider shockmount) and proximity effect. That's particularly useful when you hand the mic to an inexperienced speaker for ENG applications. Likewise, there's a switchable -10dB pad onboard, which can save you from preamp overloads if you're recording loud drums or guitar cabinets.

AKG C1000 S MK4 Condenser Microphone Features:
  • A highly versatile small-diaphragm condenser microphone for mobile and studio use
  • Great for acoustic guitar and percussion as well as speech and vocals
  • Runs on 2 AA batteries for up to 120 hours for mobile/ENG applications
  • Internally shockmounted gold-plated capsule resists corrosion and handling noise
  • Switchable diaphragm caps let you choose from cardioid or hypercardioid polar patterns
  • Presence Boost cap lets you add a 3-5dB boost between 5-9kHz for speech clarity
  • Cut proximity effect and handling noise with the internally switchable 80Hz highpass filter
  • Prevent preamp overloading with the internally switchable -10dB pad
  • Recessed on/off switch lets you quickly cut the mic when needed
  • Also includes a foam windscreen, stand adapter, and carry bag
The AKG C1000 S MK4 condenser mic is great for studio and mobile recording!

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Tech Specs

  • Microphone Type: Condenser
  • Polar Pattern: Cardioid, Hypercardioid
  • Frequency Response: 50Hz-20kHz
  • Max SPL: 137dB
  • Output Impedance: 200 ohms
  • Signal to Noise Ratio: 73dB
  • Self Noise: 21dB
  • Low Cut Filter: 80Hz
  • Pads: -10dB
  • Connector: XLR
  • Weight: 0.71 lbs.
  • Manufacturer Part Number: 3354X00010

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Customer Reviews

Write your review
Rated 5/5

Best Overhead Mic

I have been relying on and using one of these for years. Finally bought a second one for overheads.
You can't go wrong.
Rated 5/5

Outstanding for live classical vocals

I bought one of these almost 20 years ago, for an outdoor gig. I'm an opera singer and dynamic mics, like the Shure SM57 & SM58s, can compress & distort that sort of vocal production. This mic can take whatever you throw into it and renders it with crystal clarity. And it was the only decent condenser mic -- at that time, at least -- that had the battery for phantom power, so that I didn't have to worry about the capabilities of the setup ahead of time. It gives a clean, even response across the full vocal range (I'm a tenor, so YMMV). And, for outside, with a band & monitors, the hyper-cardioid option prevented feedback and leakage. I haven't used it in studio, but I still pull it out for outdoor gigs.
Music background: Singer/Songwriter, Opera Singer (Tenor)
Rated 5/5

A Real Workhorse

Have owned a pair for over twenty years. Excellent for X-Y, coincident, ORTF stereo recording of choirs, orchestra, etc. Great SDC for acoustic guitar, grand piano and drum overheads. Have used one for Tchad Blake drum mic setup with great results. The ability to put a nine-volt in for phantom has been very handy when needed. The hypercardioid capsule mod works well for live band applications where feedback is a concern. I consider them to be Swiss Army knife mics and I use them every week to get a studio quality sound for live group vocals. My Sweetwater sales engineer is A.J. Becerra and he"s great!
Music background: Professional musician, vocalist, recordist, writer, arranger.
Rated 5/5

Versatile and Crisp

Pros: I can decide whether to run these using batteries or phantom power, making them ideal for smaller live systems where I don't necessarily want or have phantom available. The available adjustments, including low cut, -10dB pad, and hypercardioid and presence boost adapters are also a big plus, as I can save processing further down the line. The clip and pouch are very convenient, as well.

Cons: Still trying to find some...
Rated 4.5/5

AKG C1000

I own a C1000, it's one my best,vocal mics.
Music background: multi talented, musician,studio owner.

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What Do Our In-house Gear Experts Think?

Evan Mehre

While there are many condenser microphones in the same price range as the AKG C1000 S, its unorthodox medium-diaphragm character has made it a staple in my mic locker. It's my go-to mic for drum overheads - especially if I don't plan to mic each tom individually - because it sits somewhere between a large- and a small-diaphragm mic. This lets it beef up tom sounds better than most pencil condensers while handling transients better than many large-diaphragm models.
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