Detail 01
Cardioid only
One fixed pattern. Rejects what is behind the mic, so it favors a single source rather than a room or a duet.
Product detailSKU #1273887983733
AKGC214 Large-Diaphragm Condenser Microphone
1/7
Independent shopping perspective
The Korena take
Large-diaphragm cardioid condenser for home and project studios. Buy it for vocals, acoustic instruments, and loud sources you need to record cleanly.
Strong match
Who this is for
- Lead vocals in a treated room or vocal booth
- Close-miking guitar cabs and drum overheads
- Acoustic guitar, piano, and strings at moderate distance
Consider the trade-offs
When to look elsewhere
- Recording without a preamp or interface that supplies phantom power
- Untreated rooms — a cardioid condenser still picks up reflections
- Anyone needing figure-8 or omni for room and stereo work
What matters in use
The specifications, translated
Catalog numbers tell only part of the story. These are the details most likely to change how this product feels, sounds, or fits into a setup.
Detail 02
156dB max SPL with the -20dB pad
Handles screaming guitar cabs and snare-level transients without the capsule distorting. Flip the pad for loud sources.
Detail 03
13dB-A self noise
Quiet enough that the mic's own hiss stays under fingerpicked guitar and soft vocals.
Detail 04
20 mV/Pa sensitivity
Hot output. Most preamps reach a healthy level without pushing gain into their own noise floor.
Detail 05
160Hz bass-cut switch, 6dB per octave
Trims proximity boom when a vocalist works close, and thins out rumble from traffic and HVAC.
Detail 06
12V to 52V phantom power
Runs on standard 48V, and still works off lower-voltage phantom on portable recorders.
Final check
Know before you order
- 01Needs an interface or preamp supplying phantom power — it will not work without it
- 02Budget for an XLR cable and a stand that holds 280g steady
- 03A pop filter matters here; plosives hit a condenser hard on vocals
Product questions
Before you decide
Straight answers to the questions shoppers most often ask about this product.
01Do I need phantom power for the C214?
Yes. It needs 12V to 52V phantom power from your interface, mixer, or preamp. Without it the mic produces no signal.
02Can it handle a loud guitar amp?
Yes. Engage the -20dB pad and it takes 156dB SPL, which covers cranked cabs and close snare work.
03Is it good for podcasting?
It works, but it is sensitive and cardioid, so it picks up room reflections and keyboard noise. Treat the space or sit close.
04What does the bass-cut switch do?
It rolls off below 160Hz at 6dB per octave, reducing low-end buildup when singing close and cutting rumble from the room.
Reference
Full specifications
The complete catalog record, organized around the decisions musicians make when comparing gear.
6 detailsSound
- Max SPL
- 136/156dB SPL (0/-20dB) (for 0.5% THD)
- Polar Pattern
- Cardioid
- Impedance
- <=200 ohms
- Recommended Load Impedance
- >=1,000 ohms
- Frequency Range
- 20Hz to 20kHz
- Sensitivity
- 20 mV/Pa (-34 dBV)
2 detailsBody & build
- Color
- Blue
- Finish Matte
- Grayish blue
2 detailsConnections & power
- Supply Voltage
- 12V to 52V Phantom power to IEC 61938
- Connector
- IEC standard 3-pin XLR
3 detailsSize & weight
- Signal Noise Ratio A Weighted
- 81dB
- Weight
- 280
- Dimensions
- 160 x 55 mm (6.3 inch x 2.2 inch)
6 detailsOther
- Preattenuation Pad
- 0/–20dB (switchable)
- Patent S
- Electrostatic transducer (Patent no. AT 395.225, DE 4.103.784, JP 2.815.488)
- Dynamic Range
- 123/143dB (0/–20dB) (A-weighted)
- Current Consumption
- < 2 mA
- Equivalent Noise Level
- 13dB-A to IEC 60268-4 (A-weighted)
- Bass Cut Filter Slope
- 160Hz, 6dB/octave, switchable
