I've been testing some shotgun mics and investigating how the length impacts on their polar patterns at different frequencies. Some rotation of multiple mics, measurements and graphs!

I read something today in the old products section of the AKG website on the old CK-8 capsule for the 451 preamp. I knew I had one of these inside a zepplin windshield in the store, but hadn't done anything much with it since I had other shotguns. What made me think was that AKG noted it's use on hand held vocals, where it was good at reducing popping.

I'm asking the aged brains here - I bought an old AKG 451 E off ebay - clearly liquidated stock from a failed audio company - but mainly because 1. It was black and all mine are silver, and 2. it had the metal slide on basket windshield. From the pictures it had a CK1 cardioid capsule.

I've been wanting an extra AKG 451 capsule for a while - been looking for an omni - I've got two cardioids and fancied an omni capsule. Been looking on Ebay for ages and one came up with the mic, but a really weird one - and from Denmark too!

I've got a pair of AKG 451s and they're great for music but they're pretty prone to pop and blasting from voices in close. I need to use one on a singer shortly for visual reasons really - extension tube and it looks great - BUT this singer I know is a bit prone to moving in a bit close.

I prefer the 160s to the 451, but I don't like either that much for solo piano. I can post examples of my test recordings.

I know the E version of the 451 mic doesn't have the roll off switch.
But apart from this, do they sound exactly the same or is there any difference?
Both using the CK1 capsule.

--TerrorRun

Hi
I've been getting into post production stuff lately, and found myself needing a shotgun mic. I really haven't try any shotgun besides the Sennheiser MKH 70 for a project when i was in school.

I'm looking to spend about $900 on a pair of drum overheads. Anyone have any thoughts on either 451s or Chameleon Labs TS-1s? I've heard the later holds it's own against 451's.

Thanks

Anyone on this forum own AKG 451E or EB? I'm having a very strange problem and I can't figure out what's going on. I'm occasionally hired to do 2 track recordings of recitals and small local bands, and when I'm not multitracking I sometimes hit the club and throw up a couple of mics to record bands that my friends play in.