AKG Perception 170 Reviews

Jorge Sanchez
from Colombia
October 18, 2012Music Background:
Recording Engineer, Pro Musician.

the "SM57" from condensers mics

excellent quality for only 100$. totally recommend!!!

Nick Perea
from Richmond, VA
June 15, 2012Music Background:
I write music and record it; however im only 16

Good Product

My first small diaphragm mic. It really surprised me how much cleaner and better sounding it was than the other mics i was using to record instruments (large diaphragm condensers, dynanimcs). Ive used it to record guitar, mandolin, violin, cello, and drums all with success.

Jay
from MA, USA
December 15, 2011Music Background:
Recording engineer

Excellent for live recording

I bought two of theses for live concert recording. I'm really impressed with how clear and clean the sound is, and how wide and accurate the frequency response is.

Alan Day
from Meridian,Mississippi "Land 'O Peavey"
May 20, 2009Music Background:
48years old in love with making music for 38 years........................

"ALAN SAY'S BUY IT !"

I Use this Little mic for micking acoustic instruments like guitars etc. After Consulting with my sales engineer "Joel Gragg" I decided on this mic for uncompromised sound quality at a price that won't put you in the "PoorHouse".........Thank's again Guy's @ Sweetwater........Ya'll done it again!

D.J.
from Monterey, TN
August 11, 2011Music Background:
Recording Engineer, Live Sound Engineer, Vocalist

Not a 451 B BUT.........

It is an extremely serviceable pencil-type condenser mic. For the price, there is no way you can beat it, and that is why I gave it 4.5 stars. My age-old measuring stick, the "price-to-performance ratio" test was passed with flying colors, as this mic easily blows away any other competition at this price point. I personally would not use mine in the studio, as I much prefer the 451 B in that environment. However, on the road or in any live environment, you simply cannot get a better overhead mic for a drum kit without spending a lot more $$. The only drawback to this mic (and the reason I knocked 1/2 star off its rating) is that it is a feedback monster. However, any seasoned sound engineer can remedy that problem pretty easily; I know I was able to once I pinpointed this (these) mic(s) as the source of the feedback. I just wanted to let anyone considering this mic for use on a live stage know that if you are using stage monitors close to this thing (most drummers have a cabinet facing right at them) or at loud volumes (most are, right?), make sure you either have a good feedback suppressor (Sabine FBX2410 is what I use), one heck of an EQ on your monitor, or buy a reflexion filter to place around the mic. Once you do that, these guys sound like pure gold on drum overheads. Again -- for the price I paid for them, the small amount of engineering work that was needed to use them live was nothing. Once that feedback thing was tackled, they sounded wonderfully crisp, bright, and clean just like you would expect a drum kit to sound in the studio. You really can't go wrong picking up a pair of these for what they cost. Whether you are a total newbie picking up your first condenser or a seasoned sound engineer like I am, there is definitely a place for this mic in your mic case!

J. Storie
from Los Angeles, CA
June 2, 2008Music Background:
pro musician, guitarist, teacher

A great affordable option

I purchased this mic as an option to have for recording acoustic guitars. I have used the MXL 603s for the past 4 years now, and this mic sounds so much warmer. It seems the MXL 603 is a bit harsher, and this had a darker sound - it is a bit colored, but thats just what im looking for when using my inexpensive MAudio mobile pre into my computer. I like having the -20db pad for louder sources, and for $150 its a great deal. While Im sure Ill eventually upgrade to some KM84s I know Ill always have a place for a mic like this. I give it 4.5 cause it didn't come with a case - 'cmon AKG! we need to take our gear out on the road every now and then! haha.

acoustic guy
from north of Nashville
May 23, 2008Music Background:
singer/songwriter

A good choice for capturing acoustic guitar

On the advice of the folks at Sweetwater, I purchased this mike as a versatile small diaphragm
condenser. It has significantly improved the quality of recordings I'm getting on acoustic guitar.
You can just point the 170 down at the 12th fret
and get some pretty sweet sounds.

If something happened to this mike, I would definitely buy another one. It picks up the
subtle differences between spruce top and cedar
top acoustics..... It was a good investment for me..

Stephen
from Collinsville, MS
August 21, 2012Music Background:
Recording Engineer, Live Sound Engineer, Pro Musician

Great Budget Mic

This mic really surprised me. I needed an inexpensive mic to put on a cello in a live environment. I was planning on getting another 57 or the Audix i5 but my sales engineer talked me into this being that a cello really deserves a condenser. I am SO glad he did. This mic reproduces the warm, rich, cello sounds wonderfully! Realize though that this is a $99 mic. No it will not sound like a $1,000 large diaphragm condenser. However, when placed correctly, it did not pick up the other instruments on stage (even right next to the drum kit) and it helped the cello sit very nicely in the mix. I'm glad I added this great tool to my mic locker.

Karnig Baghdassarian
from Beirut, Lebanon
September 26, 2009Music Background:
recording, mixing engineer, musician, composer and producer.

Gr8 mics especially with such a price!!

I own 3 of those mics, i recorded classic guitars with it and the result was no different from my neumann TL103, very nice and detailed (I used a profire 2626 m-audio). I also used them in the drum kit, 2 as overheads and 1 as hi hat mic, and with the pads moved to 0 dB, i got acceptable results in a dead room, not acoustically treated, but i think using those mics in an acoustically treated areas (for drums) will sound perfect, just like any 2000$ mic.

Cliff Armentrout
from Jacksonville, FL USA
May 6, 2013Music Background:
Pro Musician

AKG Perception 170

This was first purchase of condensor mics. using for overhead on my cymbals. I am very pleased with quality and design of the mics. I did a lot of research and spoke to several experts with condensers and they recommended the 170's for quality and price. I am glad that I listened have been very pleased and would certainly recommend and purchase again.

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