AKG PERCEPTION RANGE REVIEWED IN SOUND ON SOUND

The AKG Perception range of condenser microphones are reviewed in the latest issue of Sound On Sound magazine.

AKG’s Perception microphones have built a strong following among musicians and engineers, proving to be among the best high-value true condenser microphones on the market today. The entire Perception line has been designed and engineered by AKG in Vienna, Austria. The microphones are manufactured in China under strict quality control by AKG. The result is unique, innovative Austrian technology and exceptional build quality at uniquely reasonable prices.

SOS Editor In Chief, Paul White, puts the large diaphragm Perception 120, small diaphragm Perception 170 and multi-pattern Perception 420 through their paces…

“The mic’s resistance to popping (on vocals) is better than average and the general tonal character remains sensibly consistent between the three patterns”.

“As an instrument mic, the 420 comes over as well-balanced and solid, handling high-end detail smoothly without over-hyping it or making everything sound too forward. It works well on acoustic guitar, producing a rich, homogenous sound that balances warmth with detail, again without making the highs seem brittle or forced”.

“…the Perception 420 is a great all-rounder, and at no time did background noise become evident, despite its very average spec in this department”.

“As a vocal mic it sounds nicely warm and slightly compressed, with a high end that’s smooth but not dull. It doesn’t stray so far from neutral that it becomes a one-trick pony though, and it should suit a range of voice types, including female vocalists who need to lose a bit of edge and gain a bit of depth”.

“In use, the presence peak translates to an open airness at the top end. Again the mic fared well on the acoustic guitar test, combining a confident low end with a nice but subtle sense of airy detail that was more pronounced than the 420, but was still not overdone. It handles hand percussion equally capably”.

“…although more money will buy you greater accuracy there’s certainly no excuse not to make great recordings with this mic”.

“…the AKG in-house design work makes these mics stand out from the usual imported models, as they are both visually and constructionally distinctive…More importantly when put to the test in the studio, these mics turn in a good performance relative to their price”.