The list of go-to, quality utility mics is a short one, dominated by industry veterans like the Shure SM57 and the Electro-Voice RE20. In just six short years, though, the AKG C214 has made its way onto that list, offering classic AKG build quality and versatility to handle most applications.

Comparisons To The AKG C414B

Often referred to as the "lite" version of the C414B, the AKG C214 shares a similar shock-mounted capsule design, although the C214 is a cardioid mic and the C414 has selectable patterns. The C214 is a large diaphragm FET condenser with more than double the self-noise of the C414B (13 dBA vs. 6 dBA), but this goes unnoticed in all the but the quietest applications. It is not quite as transparent as the C414B, but it nonetheless succeeds in sounding great when used for acoustic guitars, hand percussion and guitar cabs. Like the Shure SM57, this is not a mic that is the best at anything, but definitely inspires confidence no matter how you use it.

The Nitty Gritty

Other features on the C214 include a -20 dB pad and high pass filter, which cuts bass at 6 dB per ocatve past 160 Hz, allowing the mic to handle 156 dB SPL when engaged. The body is all die-cast metal with a scratch-resistant finish, and the 1-inch, edge-terminated capsule is safely mounted behind a double mesh grille. This is a mic that feels as durable as it is, allowing you to drape it over the edge of a cab or take it on a road trip without worrying.

Too Many Guitars, Not Enough Mics

A year after its initial release, AKG produced a stereo set that includes two factory-matched C214 mics. As with most unidirectional mics, using a stereo setup can be a great way to capture more nuances of the sound, especially with something like acoustic guitar. With windscreens and shockmounts, a stereo pair can capture outdoor performances or different angles of an intimate studio performance.