AKG C151 Small Diaphragm Cardioid Condenser Microphone | Distributor: MadisonAV
A pencil condenser is an all-rounder, a surefire hit for the tool belt of an engineer. A go-to, an every-person’s mic, an ol’ reliable. They are, as such, not only for their ability to transparently, clearly, and accurately capture sound and music, but also for being able to do so discreetly, their tiny footprint serving both sonics and practicality. Pragmatically, a smaller microphone is easier to position, and, in the case of the new AKG C151, the included clip is robust but easy to fine-tune for the perfect positioning. Sonically, the smaller capsule forces AKG to do away with extraneous circuitry, allowing for a fast and accurate transient response—ultimately resulting in the most transparent sound.
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The new C151 from AKG follows a line of pencil condensers from AKG that are known worldwide, and trusted by the best for overheads on drums, and an accurate reproduction of acoustic and orchestral instruments. Not only this, but for offering a great result when used to capture a great acoustic space, serving as room mics.
A wide frequency response allows the AKG C151 to capture every nuance from 20Hz up 20kHz, with a huge SPL handling of 147dB at just 0.5% THD. The C151 is supremely sensitive to detail and articulation on either loud sources like drums or quiet sources like an acoustic guitar or even a vocal, with a very low signal-to-noise ratio. Weighing just 147g, the mic won’t droop or shift on a mic stand, ensuring you’ll maintain whatever phase and polarity relationship you’ve set up.
The C151 features a transformerless FET circuit, capturing transients in detail and responding quickly to input, all the while capturing a broad dynamic range of sounds in a performance. Every ebb and all the flow is captured for recording or amplified for the audience. This moves me to my next point: the AKG C151 is equally adept in the studio as it is on the stage. Being a cardioid mic, the C151 offers great rejection behind the capsule, instead shifting its focus to what it’s, uh… focused on.
This polar pattern assists in rejecting bleed and ambience on stage, and is great as a drum overhead for larger venues or for direct miking amplifiers to capture electronic keys, guitar amplifiers and more. The high SPL handling makes it a great candidate for explosive performances, offering a balanced, true-to-source sound for the masses.
Back to the studio, the C151 is equally adept as a podcast or gaming mic for play, streaming and more. Alleviate issues with cheaper mics and elevate a podcast with professional-sounding results via the C151, a professional-grade condenser.
I found the AKG C151 great for detail, and it captured a lot of detail. Doing away with a lot of ‘colour’ associated with transformers, I was left with a blank canvas to either saturate and compress in the mix, or on the way in. The mic quickly gained my trust as something to be relied on, moving it centimetres toward and away from a source offered a range of sounds, allowing me to fine-tune at the source for the best results.
Even a foot away, the mic seemed to bloom, allowing more room and ambience into the mix. The cardioid pattern does well to reject the back of the mic, but allows just enough side information to provide a natural and pleasing sound.
The low end was crisp and true-to-source, not bolstered or overly hyped like with a tube condenser, and the high end was articulate and smooth, without adding harshness or overt detail to an already bright source. In a word, the C151 was honest.
What’s more, the C151 is crafted from 100% recycled PIR metals, so along with the newly announced C114 condenser, you’re helping reduce waste while preserving the audio quality of your recordings.
The AKG C151 is one of the latest mics in a huge legacy of world-class sound from AKG. Famous for pencil condensers like the C451 and even the ever-affordable P170 amongst many others, it’s no wonder AKG have managed to produce such a refined and robust design. The C151 is built for the rigours of the studio and the stage, compact enough to remain out of the way, yet offering a larger-than-life sound with the transformerless FET design and cardioid polar pattern.
A pair of C151s are a great option for drum overheads, stereo rooms in an acoustic space, or as a spot mic on detailed sources like orchestral instruments, acoustic guitars or snare wires. A single AKG C151 can also serve as a mono room mic for a vocal, extra detail on a snare top or as a condenser on a guitar cabinet for balanced, accurate and dynamic sound. Proudly carrying the flag for AKG, the C151 is the culmination of years of audio legacy, all tied together in a tidy, compact package.
Head to AKG to learn more about the C-Series, and here for local enquiries.
