AKG P420 Condenser Microphone Review
AKG recently sent me the AKG P420 after my review of the AKG P220. I’ve found this large-diaphragm condenser microphone to be quite impressive for its price range. It’s extremely similar to the AKG P220 but offers 3 polar patterns, making it more versatile.
Note: AKG sent me a free sample of the P420 mic to test it out and review it. This does not affect the opinions mentioned in this review.
Contents
Verdict
The AKG P420 is a highly impressive mic for this price point. It provides great sound quality, build quality, and versatility with its 3 polar patterns. It would be great for both amateurs and professionals looking for quality audio on a budget.
Pros
- Fantastic sound clarity
- Versatile with 3 different polar patterns to suit different recording scenarios
- Sturdy metallic construction
- Includes useful accessories like shock mount and carrying case
Cons
- Not much at this price point, but if you're not expecting to use the omnidirectional and figure-8 polar patterns, it might be slightly better value to go for the AKG P220 instead.
Sound Quality
I’ve been very impressed with the sound quality of the AKG P420. It offers an open and warm sound with no noticeable noise or distortion.
It delivers clear high-end without harshness and offers decent bass response. For its price, it accurately reproduces the sound source without adding much color.
It’s very similar to their P220 mic, which you can read more about in our AKG P220 review. However, the P420 is more versatile, as it offers 3 different polar patterns: cardioid, omnidirectional or figure 8 (whereas the the P220 only has a cardioid polar pattern).
The Cardioid pattern is great if you want sound mostly from the front of the mic, such as live performances, voiceovers, studio recording, etc.
Omnidirectional captures sound equally from all directions, offering natural sound quality but are prone to picking up background noise and causing feedback. These are good for room recordings and group recordings.
Figure-8 provide bidirectional sensitivity with strong side rejection and pronounced proximity effect. These are great for interviews or if you have another reason to isolate sound specifically to front and back.
You might be considering pricier condenser mics, but the AKG P420 could meet your needs, as it is a really good quality mic that offers a lot of versatility.
Other features:
Pad Switch: This microphone has a -20 dB attenuation pad you can engage to prevent distortion when recording loud sources, like brass instruments or amplified guitars.
Low-Cut Filter: A low-cut filter helps remove low-frequency noise or rumble from recordings. It’s especially useful in less controlled settings and it can be good for capturing clear vocals and speech.
If you’re a beginner when it comes to mics, remember to add acoustic treatment in your room. This sensitive condenser mic will catch reflections and echoes. Check out our article on dynamic vs condenser mics for more details.
AKG P420 Tech Specs
What’s in the Box?
The box includes the microphone, a shock mount to minimize mechanical noise, and a high-quality carrying case for secure transportation and storage.
These items offer great build quality, and you’ll likely be surprised by the excellent value for the price.
Build Quality
The metallic build of the P420 feels durable for daily use. Though I haven’t had it long enough to comment on its long-term reliability, others online report positively. If you care for the mic and avoid rough handling, I’d be confident in its build quality!
Comparison to the AKG P220
The AKG P420 is an extremely similar mic to the AKG P220 that we previously reviewed. As mentioned previously, the main difference between them is that the P420 has two additional polar patterns. If you are only going to want to pick up sound mostly from the font of the mic then it might be better value for you to go with the P220 instead.
In my opinion, it’s probably worth spending a few extra bucks on the P420 so you have some added versatility, but the price differences between these two mics may vary depending on when you’re reading this review!
Final Verdict
My experience with the AKG P420 condenser microphone has been overwhelmingly positive. It delivers high audio quality and versatility without breaking the bank. For anyone wanting to upgrade their recording setup without spending a fortune, the AKG P420 is a great balance of quality and value.
