AKG C414 XLII Multi-Pattern Condenser Microphone
The AKG C 414 XL II carries forward the legendary sonic signature of the coveted C 12, placing vocals and solo instruments prominently in even the densest mixes. This successor to the famous C 414 B-TL II features a distinctive capsule that provides the slight presence boost and impressive spatial reproduction reminiscent of those classic C 12 microphones. The unrivalled up-front sound makes it equally suited to distant miking applications including classical music recording and drum ambience capture. For over six decades, leading musicians and engineers have relied on AKG microphones to capture every nuance of their performances. The C 414 family has earned its place as one of the world's most widely-used and respected studio and stage microphones throughout audio history. AKG continues to set new benchmarks with useful features, improved technical specifications and enhanced ease of use in response to the ever-demanding requirements of recording studios, broadcast stations and audio engineers. The C 414 XL II offers nine selectable pickup patterns, allowing you to find the perfect setting for any application. A Lock Mode disables all controls for trouble-free use in live sound and permanent installations, while the Peak Hold LED detects even the shortest overload peaks. With an incredible dynamic range of 152 dB, three switchable bass cut filters, and three pre-attenuation levels, this microphone combines leading-edge technology with state-of-the-art components. Designed, engineered and built in Vienna, Austria, it comes complete with carrying case, pop filter, windscreen, and spider-type shock mount.
The AKG C 414 XL II carries forward the legendary sonic signature of the coveted C 12, placing vocals and solo instruments prominently in even the densest mixes. This successor to the famous C 414 B-TL II features a distinctive capsule that provides the slight presence boost and impressive spatial reproduction reminiscent of those classic C 12 microphones. The unrivalled up-front sound makes it equally suited to distant miking applications including classical music recording and drum ambience capture. For over six decades, leading musicians and engineers have relied on AKG microphones to capture every nuance of their performances. The C 414 family has earned its place as one of the world's most widely-used and respected studio and stage microphones throughout audio history. AKG continues to set new benchmarks with useful features, improved technical specifications and enhanced ease of use in response to the ever-demanding requirements of recording studios, broadcast stations and audio engineers. The C 414 XL II offers nine selectable pickup patterns, allowing you to find the perfect setting for any application. A Lock Mode disables all controls for trouble-free use in live sound and permanent installations, while the Peak Hold LED detects even the shortest overload peaks. With an incredible dynamic range of 152 dB, three switchable bass cut filters, and three pre-attenuation levels, this microphone combines leading-edge technology with state-of-the-art components. Designed, engineered and built in Vienna, Austria, it comes complete with carrying case, pop filter, windscreen, and spider-type shock mount.
The AKG C 414 XL II carries forward the legendary sonic signature of the coveted C 12, placing vocals and solo instruments prominently in even the densest mixes. This successor to the famous C 414 B-TL II features a distinctive capsule that provides the slight presence boost and impressive spatial reproduction reminiscent of those classic C 12 microphones. The unrivalled up-front sound makes it equally suited to distant miking applications including classical music recording and drum ambience capture. For over six decades, leading musicians and engineers have relied on AKG microphones to capture every nuance of their performances. The C 414 family has earned its place as one of the world's most widely-used and respected studio and stage microphones throughout audio history. AKG continues to set new benchmarks with useful features, improved technical specifications and enhanced ease of use in response to the ever-demanding requirements of recording studios, broadcast stations and audio engineers. The C 414 XL II offers nine selectable pickup patterns, allowing you to find the perfect setting for any application. A Lock Mode disables all controls for trouble-free use in live sound and permanent installations, while the Peak Hold LED detects even the shortest overload peaks. With an incredible dynamic range of 152 dB, three switchable bass cut filters, and three pre-attenuation levels, this microphone combines leading-edge technology with state-of-the-art components. Designed, engineered and built in Vienna, Austria, it comes complete with carrying case, pop filter, windscreen, and spider-type shock mount.
The AKG C 414 XL II carries forward the legendary sonic signature of the coveted C 12, placing vocals and solo instruments prominently in even the densest mixes. This successor to the famous C 414 B-TL II features a distinctive capsule that provides the slight presence boost and impressive spatial reproduction reminiscent of those classic C 12 microphones. The unrivalled up-front sound makes it equally suited to distant miking applications including classical music recording and drum ambience capture. For over six decades, leading musicians and engineers have relied on AKG microphones to capture every nuance of their performances. The C 414 family has earned its place as one of the world's most widely-used and respected studio and stage microphones throughout audio history. AKG continues to set new benchmarks with useful features, improved technical specifications and enhanced ease of use in response to the ever-demanding requirements of recording studios, broadcast stations and audio engineers. The C 414 XL II offers nine selectable pickup patterns, allowing you to find the perfect setting for any application. A Lock Mode disables all controls for trouble-free use in live sound and permanent installations, while the Peak Hold LED detects even the shortest overload peaks. With an incredible dynamic range of 152 dB, three switchable bass cut filters, and three pre-attenuation levels, this microphone combines leading-edge technology with state-of-the-art components. Designed, engineered and built in Vienna, Austria, it comes complete with carrying case, pop filter, windscreen, and spider-type shock mount.
in 27 offers
The lowest price for AKG C414 XLII Multi-Pattern Condenser Microphone right now is $1,054.76 at eBay.com.au, compared across 13 retailers.
The all-time low was $659.68 on 17 Feb 2026 — today's price is 60% above the lowest ever. It has been notably cheaper before — worth setting a price alert.
Prices last updated 18 June 2026.
Last updated at 18/06/2026 14:30:20
AKG 414XLII Multipattern Condenser Microphone
Affiliate Disclosure: We may receive a small commission for purchases made through this link at no extra cost to you. This helps support our site. Thank you!
Akg C414 Xlii Reference Multi-pattern Side-address Condenser
Free delivery
Affiliate Disclosure: We may receive a small commission for purchases made through this link at no extra cost to you. This helps support our site. Thank you!
Akg C414 Xlii Xl2 Studio Condenser Microphone Recording Mic Used Japan
Free delivery
Affiliate Disclosure: We may receive a small commission for purchases made through this link at no extra cost to you. This helps support our site. Thank you!
Akg C414 Xl2 Condenser Microphone Set W/ Pop Filter & Shock Mount
Free delivery
Affiliate Disclosure: We may receive a small commission for purchases made through this link at no extra cost to you. This helps support our site. Thank you!
Akg C414 Xlii Multi-pattern Studio Reference Condenser Microphone
Delivery $87.19
Affiliate Disclosure: We may receive a small commission for purchases made through this link at no extra cost to you. This helps support our site. Thank you!
Akg C414 Xlii Xl2 Condenser Microphone Recording Mic 91957 Tested In
Free delivery
Affiliate Disclosure: We may receive a small commission for purchases made through this link at no extra cost to you. This helps support our site. Thank you!
AKG C414 XLII Reference Multi Pattern Condenser Microphone
Affiliate Disclosure: We may receive a small commission for purchases made through this link at no extra cost to you. This helps support our site. Thank you!
[good Condition] Akg C414 Xlii Condenser Microphone Body
Delivery $49.87
Affiliate Disclosure: We may receive a small commission for purchases made through this link at no extra cost to you. This helps support our site. Thank you!
[good Condition] Akg C414 Xlii Condenser Microphone Body
Delivery $53.82
Affiliate Disclosure: We may receive a small commission for purchases made through this link at no extra cost to you. This helps support our site. Thank you!
Akg C414 Xlii Xl2 Studio Recording Condenser Microphone C414xlii
Free delivery
Affiliate Disclosure: We may receive a small commission for purchases made through this link at no extra cost to you. This helps support our site. Thank you!
originally posted on sweetwater.com
I purchased the 414 pair from Sweetwater, a serious investment but it is worth it. There are many mics out there, but when it was time for me to pick something good and something that would last for a long time, I went with the 414s - a classic, and one of the expensive options out there. Over the last few years, I frequently borrowed a pair of these mics for recording grand piano and other acoustic instruments, and got to like the wonderful sound of these mics. If one has experience using top studio mics, they could easily recognize the sound and the quality of 414s. I am glad that I purchased them from Sweetwater because this company stands behind the products they sell. After 2 months from my purchase, I had an issue with one of the mics (the volume of one of the ... MoreI purchased the 414 pair from Sweetwater, a serious investment but it is worth it. There are many mics out there, but when it was time for me to pick something good and something that would last for a long time, I went with the 414s - a classic, and one of the expensive options out there. Over the last few years, I frequently borrowed a pair of these mics for recording grand piano and other acoustic instruments, and got to like the wonderful sound of these mics. If one has experience using top studio mics, they could easily recognize the sound and the quality of 414s. I am glad that I purchased them from Sweetwater because this company stands behind the products they sell. After 2 months from my purchase, I had an issue with one of the mics (the volume of one of the mics seemed to be lower than the other mic), called Sweetwater customer service and they took care of the problem in less than 5 minutes by sending me a return label and sending me a new pair of these mics which arrived two days later. I highly recommend these mics and recommend buying from a company, like Sweetwater, you can rely on for the long term.
originally posted on zzounds.com
Sound:The C414XLS has a mostly flat frequency response for most of its polar patterns. Proper mic placement and room treatment will be paramount to getting the most out of it. It’s not over-bright, as I find its golden brother to be, and is endlessly useable for a wide variety of studio work. If you can afford a matched pair these are unrivaled drum overhead/room mics. These handle individual instruments and ensemble recording exceptionally well.It’s not advertised as a vocal mic but I prefer it to the XLII (and a few German mics) for this purpose.Features:It has 9 selectable polar patterns, three pads, and a three stage hpf. A studio Swiss Army knife.Ease of Use:Set your preferred polar pattern, set your desired pad and hpf, be critical about distance to ... MoreSound:The C414XLS has a mostly flat frequency response for most of its polar patterns. Proper mic placement and room treatment will be paramount to getting the most out of it. It’s not over-bright, as I find its golden brother to be, and is endlessly useable for a wide variety of studio work. If you can afford a matched pair these are unrivaled drum overhead/room mics. These handle individual instruments and ensemble recording exceptionally well.It’s not advertised as a vocal mic but I prefer it to the XLII (and a few German mics) for this purpose.Features:It has 9 selectable polar patterns, three pads, and a three stage hpf. A studio Swiss Army knife.Ease of Use:Set your preferred polar pattern, set your desired pad and hpf, be critical about distance to source and spot in the room and hit record. In a properly treated room with precise placement you will get excellent results.Quality:It is a vintage design that has gone through many useful upgrades. I also own previous versions and this design seems to have the flattest character of them all. Feels expensive in the hand.Value:This is irreplaceable in my studio. The nine polar patterns and detailed, flat pickup makes it supremely useful. If I could only have one microphone, it would be this one.Manufacturer Support:I have never had to contact AKG because I’ve never had an issue with any of their products. I think I own six AKG microphones and a few headphones, so 8/8 on qc.The Wow Factor:It’s a legend for a reason. I have many years with these so the feeling I have is that I trust them. I know when I hit record it will give me what I need.Overall:A supremely useful studio legend and all-around recording workhouse.
originally posted on Sam Ash
This microphone sounds great and the varying polar patterns and attenuation levels make it so versatile. It looks very professional and everyone agrees it is a must-have mic.
| Voltage | 44 to 52 V |
| Current | 4.5 mA |
| Contacts | 3-pin |
| Finish | dark gray/gold |
| Length | 38 mm |
AKG 414XLII Multipattern Condenser Microphone
Affiliate Disclosure: We may receive a small commission for purchases made through this link at no extra cost to you. This helps support our site. Thank you!
Akg C414 Xlii Reference Multi-pattern Side-address Condenser
Free delivery
Affiliate Disclosure: We may receive a small commission for purchases made through this link at no extra cost to you. This helps support our site. Thank you!
Akg C414 Xlii Xl2 Studio Condenser Microphone Recording Mic Used Japan
Free delivery
Affiliate Disclosure: We may receive a small commission for purchases made through this link at no extra cost to you. This helps support our site. Thank you!
Akg C414 Xl2 Condenser Microphone Set W/ Pop Filter & Shock Mount
Free delivery
Affiliate Disclosure: We may receive a small commission for purchases made through this link at no extra cost to you. This helps support our site. Thank you!
Akg C414 Xlii Multi-pattern Studio Reference Condenser Microphone
Delivery $87.19
Affiliate Disclosure: We may receive a small commission for purchases made through this link at no extra cost to you. This helps support our site. Thank you!
I purchased the 414 pair from Sweetwater, a serious investment but it is worth it. There are many mics out there, but when it was time for me to pick something good and something that would last for a long time, I went with the 414s - a classic, and one of the expensive options out there. Over the last few years, I frequently borrowed a pair of these mics for recording grand piano and other acoustic instruments, and got to like the wonderful sound of these mics. If one has experience using top studio mics, they could easily recognize the sound and the quality of 414s. I am glad that I purchased them from Sweetwater because this company stands behind the products they sell. After 2 months from my purchase, I had an issue with one of the mics (the volume of one of the ... MoreI purchased the 414 pair from Sweetwater, a serious investment but it is worth it. There are many mics out there, but when it was time for me to pick something good and something that would last for a long time, I went with the 414s - a classic, and one of the expensive options out there. Over the last few years, I frequently borrowed a pair of these mics for recording grand piano and other acoustic instruments, and got to like the wonderful sound of these mics. If one has experience using top studio mics, they could easily recognize the sound and the quality of 414s. I am glad that I purchased them from Sweetwater because this company stands behind the products they sell. After 2 months from my purchase, I had an issue with one of the mics (the volume of one of the mics seemed to be lower than the other mic), called Sweetwater customer service and they took care of the problem in less than 5 minutes by sending me a return label and sending me a new pair of these mics which arrived two days later. I highly recommend these mics and recommend buying from a company, like Sweetwater, you can rely on for the long term.
Sound:The C414XLS has a mostly flat frequency response for most of its polar patterns. Proper mic placement and room treatment will be paramount to getting the most out of it. It’s not over-bright, as I find its golden brother to be, and is endlessly useable for a wide variety of studio work. If you can afford a matched pair these are unrivaled drum overhead/room mics. These handle individual instruments and ensemble recording exceptionally well.It’s not advertised as a vocal mic but I prefer it to the XLII (and a few German mics) for this purpose.Features:It has 9 selectable polar patterns, three pads, and a three stage hpf. A studio Swiss Army knife.Ease of Use:Set your preferred polar pattern, set your desired pad and hpf, be critical about distance to ... MoreSound:The C414XLS has a mostly flat frequency response for most of its polar patterns. Proper mic placement and room treatment will be paramount to getting the most out of it. It’s not over-bright, as I find its golden brother to be, and is endlessly useable for a wide variety of studio work. If you can afford a matched pair these are unrivaled drum overhead/room mics. These handle individual instruments and ensemble recording exceptionally well.It’s not advertised as a vocal mic but I prefer it to the XLII (and a few German mics) for this purpose.Features:It has 9 selectable polar patterns, three pads, and a three stage hpf. A studio Swiss Army knife.Ease of Use:Set your preferred polar pattern, set your desired pad and hpf, be critical about distance to source and spot in the room and hit record. In a properly treated room with precise placement you will get excellent results.Quality:It is a vintage design that has gone through many useful upgrades. I also own previous versions and this design seems to have the flattest character of them all. Feels expensive in the hand.Value:This is irreplaceable in my studio. The nine polar patterns and detailed, flat pickup makes it supremely useful. If I could only have one microphone, it would be this one.Manufacturer Support:I have never had to contact AKG because I’ve never had an issue with any of their products. I think I own six AKG microphones and a few headphones, so 8/8 on qc.The Wow Factor:It’s a legend for a reason. I have many years with these so the feeling I have is that I trust them. I know when I hit record it will give me what I need.Overall:A supremely useful studio legend and all-around recording workhouse.
This microphone sounds great and the varying polar patterns and attenuation levels make it so versatile. It looks very professional and everyone agrees it is a must-have mic.
I am a male vocalist. I record pop vocals (tenor range) going through the Apollo MKII. I am loving this mic. It gives me all the detail i need and retains the grit in my voice while getting rid of the annoying 1.5-2KHZ nasal sound. I highly recommend this mic to any vocalist who is willing to drop a few more bucks to get a pro level mic sound. I personally recommend it over the Neumann TLM series. As a subjective note: The shape of the mic offers a comfort level when singing at close range. Steve C.
I bough this mic about a year ago, and can say with all honesty, it has been a standout performer for anything I have put it use on. For acoustic guitar it's clarity, and definition are amazing. You can hear every detail, and yet it is not harsh in any way. The numerous polar patterns allow you to taler the function to suit your needs with no loss of quality or spaciousness. With a good preamp it has a wonderful airy sound much like a u87 or Manley, and it is simply excellent for vocals. Male or female vocals really pop though this, but it DOES require your performance to be spot on. If you are slightly off it will pick it up! It is useful for just about anything in the studio you can think of, including picking up cymbals from overhead. It is one of the best ... MoreI bough this mic about a year ago, and can say with all honesty, it has been a standout performer for anything I have put it use on. For acoustic guitar it's clarity, and definition are amazing. You can hear every detail, and yet it is not harsh in any way. The numerous polar patterns allow you to taler the function to suit your needs with no loss of quality or spaciousness. With a good preamp it has a wonderful airy sound much like a u87 or Manley, and it is simply excellent for vocals. Male or female vocals really pop though this, but it DOES require your performance to be spot on. If you are slightly off it will pick it up! It is useful for just about anything in the studio you can think of, including picking up cymbals from overhead. It is one of the best Microphones I own, and I would put it up against the Neumann TLM103 or the Sterling Audio Ocean Way Signature Series mic, as well as the Neumann KMS104. It blows RODE, Sputnik, or lower level Sterlings out of the water. I own or have used in my studio all these mics, so can speak to it with absolute authority. It is durable, rugged, and has launched the careers of many a fabled performer, and for my money is one of the best values going. DO get a top quality heavy stand for use with this Mic. It does pick up whatever is going on in the environment, and mic stand noise can be maddening. I use the ultimate support boom, which retails for $199, and has a solid base, super thick pole and overhead boom.
I have a nice home studio (Primacoustic London 12 kit with Stratus Clouds, rear diffusers, Reason 9 DAW, JBL LR308 monitors, DBX 676 channel strip and Focusrite Forte interface). I was using an MXL V67G which don't get me wrong, sounded good to the ear. Had a hard time getting the VOX to sit in the mix right. I would spend a ton of time equalizing and gently compressing, only to have to bend the rest of the mix around them. There was something going on around 5k that I could not get to settle down. The AKG C414XLII changed all of that. The first thing my singer said was the microphone sounded "muffled" to her. What was actually happening was the MXL was so "hyped" on the high end it added a lot to the initial tracking. Tone wise the AKG tracks are extremely accurate ... MoreI have a nice home studio (Primacoustic London 12 kit with Stratus Clouds, rear diffusers, Reason 9 DAW, JBL LR308 monitors, DBX 676 channel strip and Focusrite Forte interface). I was using an MXL V67G which don't get me wrong, sounded good to the ear. Had a hard time getting the VOX to sit in the mix right. I would spend a ton of time equalizing and gently compressing, only to have to bend the rest of the mix around them. There was something going on around 5k that I could not get to settle down. The AKG C414XLII changed all of that. The first thing my singer said was the microphone sounded "muffled" to her. What was actually happening was the MXL was so "hyped" on the high end it added a lot to the initial tracking. Tone wise the AKG tracks are extremely accurate and respond well to minor EQ and compression changes. Getting them to sit in the mix is a snap. On a spectral analyzer the tracks look beautiful. I will never go back to using one of those "great" affordable microphones. The difference was massive. I will leave you with this, if you have to choose between an expensive microphone or room treatments, spend the money on the room first. The mic will only give you what you give it. If your room is harsh, with bad reverberations, you will not get the full effect and benefit.
The microphone sounds absolutely delicious. It surpassed my expectations. I sound so very good on it as not in real life. LOL. My voice is bassy and it did not enhance it although it mellowed it out. The high end was also spectacular -- sharp but not harsh.I use it for voice-overs and radio commercials.Buy one if you can afford it!~Bill
There is a reason this is one of the industry standard microphones you will find in studios across the globe...It is just that good. I also own a Neumann TLM102 and an AKG C214. I have recorded with both separately and side by side. Both microphones are flawless for vocal capture and so smooth. While the AKG C214 is a good bit brighter than my Neumann, the AKG C414 is an only slightly brighter and takes eq so easily. Then the other settings on the C414 truly set it apart. You would be hard pressed to find another microphone so capable, no, not capable...so exceptional at so many things. I love my Neumann but this microphone is just superior by design, function, and overall capability. So freaking proud to own and use this microphone. I am so grateful.
This microphone is fantastic for recording vocals. It picks up everything in the room clearly including the air conditioner. This is no problem as the mic has a built in filter that can get rid of the noise from the air conditioner. The included manual has a description for all of the different pickup patterns and their uses.The manual also says the C414 XLII is recommended for vocals, whereas the C414 XLS is recommended for overheads.
Nah, that's probably a bit of false bravado-- also not alot of Irish traditions in my family, and to say that my admiration for this mic will extend to my dying day, that I will breathe my last breath holding onto it and capturing some musical performance-- a nice picture, but how realistic, really? I guess I just metaphorically, in a Clint Eastwood kinda way, want to impress on you that, if we were all cowboys, this mic would be the six-shooter that everyone longed to have-- lawman, outlaw, everyone in between. There's a reason it's a standard of the industry and you've heard its coolly accurate wondrous alive-sounding exceptional capture on a gabazillion records. It gets and gives you what's really there. The self noise is so low, 6 decibels, that there is no self ... MoreNah, that's probably a bit of false bravado-- also not alot of Irish traditions in my family, and to say that my admiration for this mic will extend to my dying day, that I will breathe my last breath holding onto it and capturing some musical performance-- a nice picture, but how realistic, really? I guess I just metaphorically, in a Clint Eastwood kinda way, want to impress on you that, if we were all cowboys, this mic would be the six-shooter that everyone longed to have-- lawman, outlaw, everyone in between. There's a reason it's a standard of the industry and you've heard its coolly accurate wondrous alive-sounding exceptional capture on a gabazillion records. It gets and gives you what's really there. The self noise is so low, 6 decibels, that there is no self noise. Everything comes through crisply and clearly. I will confess to you-- I've cobbled together a subsistence farming kind of audio life, recording singers and ensembles, and I've always made do with gear that checked in much lower on the food chain than this. So when the house tech at a classical quartet concert had a pair of these and set them up just basically at the front edge of the stage, and offered to feed them into my tape deck, I swooned. Back in the studio mixing that performance, the 414's were smooth and airy and cast a lovely perspective on the players. Okay, that's it, I am getting myself a pair! What did I hear when I set up a pair of these for the first time in front of a guitar player? Within the ringing density of the guitar sound, a whole rainbow of colors, a detailed picture down to the granular level. The dual capsule will give you any and every polar pattern, from omni to hypercardioid, with halfway settings in between each setting! Also, four versions of low-cut roll-off, and also three levels of volume pads. A finely crafted German-engineered shockmount, and double sided (the best kind!) pop filter to affix to a mic stand. And a windsock. There are going with me everywhere from now on. Although-- this overblown elaborate packaging with all this cut-out foam-- no, give me all-put-together-and-ready-to-go in the smallest space, please. (I attach a picture of the pair suited up and ready for the showdown.)
| Voltage | 44 to 52 V |
| Current | 4.5 mA |
| Contacts | 3-pin |
| Finish | dark gray/gold |
| Length | 38 mm |
