This Is The Mic You Are Looking For!!

If you are looking for THE pencil condenser mic for your specific need, or just the first one you are going to add to your collection, you just found it. I am serious. Do not even bother looking at others, because you will not find the performance and versatility this mic offers at any other price point until you get way up there in price. I have to disclose that I am a Sennheiser fanboy who never paid much attention to AKG mics, but my Sales Engineer (Ryan Sloan) recommended this to me and it hits the ball completely out of the park. First of all, the presence is simply spectacular. It doesn't matter if you are micing cymbals, a hi-hat, an accoustic guitar, a horn, whatever. It just sparkles and shines spectacularly. The fact that you can add a 10 or 20db pad makes it incredibly versitile, but the low-cut filter is amazing. If you are micing overhead cymbals or a hi-hat, cut it all the way down at 150Hz. If you are using it on an accoustic guitar and want to keep some of the low end from the body of the guitar, cut it at 75Hz instead. If you want to mic a room or choir and want all the frequency range, then don't cut it at all. It is like having several mics in one.
One last use that you may not have thought of for this type of mic---vocals. Now out of the box it is way too sensitive to sing into as it picks up every puff of air that passes by it, but I did a little experiment just for my own entertainment. I put the windscreen on it (yes, it comes with its own windscreen!) and was amazed at the clarity and crispness of my vocals. The windscreen took away nearly all of the breathing sounds to make an incredible sounding vocal. Crisp, detailed, and picked up every nuance coming out of my mouth perfectly! I realize that this is not the primary application for which this mic was developed, but I wanted to add this to my review as some potential purchasers may only have the funds to buy 1 really good mic at the time they read this. I just wanted to make sure all readers understood that this mic is not a 1-trick pony. Buy this one, and you can record what you may have thought it would take you 5 mics to adequately cover. Bottom line is that this mic is another product that far exceeds my age-old measuring stick, the PRICE TO PERFORMANCE RATIO. Just buy this mic. Be amazed just like I was!

An Industry Standard

The AKG C451B picks up where the C451 left off. Always an industry standard, this AKG small condenser mic is often overlooked nowadays for some of the newer ribbon mics, which are also great. This mic should be in the mic locker of every writer, performer and engineer. I use it to track my Martin up close for the pick sound I love in so many acoustic tracks. That's how we came to love the sound of Cat Steven's guitar on his classic recordings. Listen to his guitar in "Peace Train" and you will hear "that sound." This mic is just way too cool. I've even heard and "seen" the C451B used for NYC voice-over sessions by engineers in the know. What a gem of a mic. It's so adaptable. I can't believe there was only one review prior to mine on the C451B. Get this mic if you love high definition of your acoustic guitar. Thanks for allowing me my opinion.

Fantastic!

I recently purchased a pair of these mics and wow. What a sound! The main 3 applications I use these for are overhead mics, Acoustic guitar coupled with another mic, and horn players also coupled with another mic. For me, the standout is really the Acoustic guitar. You can really get that high end shimmer while your lows are still supported.

Great mic. Buy it. You wont regret it

akg C 451B microphone

Received in record time. Great price and unit is as expected since a friend of mine has 1- C 451b and 2- C1000s. I will be buying one C1000s as soon as I can afford it. Thanks to Nathan Malone working with me so well.

Great for grand piano

This mic is great for miking grand piano in a live big band setting. I tryed to use 3000's on the piano and was terribly disappointed till I discovered these in the mic closet.

When compared to other mics I have used, these stand out in both response and isolation from the nearby drums.


Also good for solo bass trombone work.

Smooth Mics

I had been using some cheaper condensers on my drum overheads for a long time when I decided to get the 451's. The first time I tried them, I took off all the EQ on the channel. They just sounded great to begin with.
I then got to try them on a large choir. Very smooth sound, not harsh especially when the sopranos wail up high.