Korena
Product detailSKU #1273887983453

AKGC516ML Miniature Instrument Microphone

AKG
AKG C516ML Miniature Instrument Microphone

Independent shopping perspective

The Korena take

A miniature cardioid condenser on a gooseneck, built to clip onto a horn or a drum. For live pickup where a stand won't fit.

AKG C516ML Miniature Instrument Microphone product detail
Product studyAKG C516ML Miniature Instrument Microphone

Strong match

Who this is for

  • Miking a sax or trumpet bell on a moving player
  • Snare and toms where stands crowd the kit
  • Pit orchestra and stage work with tight sightlines

Consider the trade-offs

When to look elsewhere

  • Studio vocal tracking, where a large-diaphragm mic is better
  • Sources needing full low-end capture below 60Hz
  • Anyone without the required battery supply or phantom adapter

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 01

60Hz low-frequency limit

Rolls off below 60Hz. Fine on horns and snare; it will not capture kick drum or bass cabinet weight.

Detail 02

130dB max SPL

Handles a bell-close horn or a hard-hit snare, but it's tighter headroom than a padded studio condenser.

Detail 03

Cardioid pattern

Rejects sound from behind. On a loud stage that keeps monitor wedges and neighboring instruments out of the channel.

Detail 04

Needs B29 L supply or MPA V L adapter

The mic alone won't run off an XLR input. One of those powering units sits between mic and mixer.

Detail 05

31dB-A self-noise

Noticeable on quiet sources. Not an issue at close range on loud instruments, which is what it's built for.

Detail 06

5 ft cable, 46g, 9.3 inch gooseneck

Light enough not to drag on a clip, but the short cable means the powering unit must stay near the player.

Final check

Know before you order

  1. 01You need the B29 L battery supply or MPA V L phantom adapter to power it.
  2. 02The 5 ft cable is short. Plan where the beltpack or adapter sits.
  3. 03Confirm the mounting clip fits your specific horn bell or drum rim.

Product questions

Before you decide

Straight answers to the questions shoppers most often ask about this product.

01Does this work on saxophone?

Yes, that's its intended use. The gooseneck positions the capsule at the bell while the player moves, and cardioid pickup keeps stage bleed down.

02Can I plug it straight into my mixer's phantom power?

No. It needs the B29 L battery supply or the MPA V L adapter in line. That unit connects to your mixer via the 3-pin XLR.

03Will it work on a kick drum?

Not well. Response starts at 60Hz, so the low-end thump a kick relies on is outside its range. It suits snare and toms better.

04How loud a source can it take?

Up to 130dB SPL at 1% distortion, 132dB at 3%. That covers close-miked brass and drums, though a very hard-hit snare sits near the limit.

Reference

Full specifications

The complete catalog record, organized around the decisions musicians make when comparing gear.

3 detailsSound
Polar Pattern
cardioid
Frequency Response
60-20 kHz
Sensitivity
5 mV/Pa (46 db)
3 detailsBody & build
Color
Black
Body Finish
matte black
Finish
matte black
2 detailsConnections & power
Power Requirement
B 29 L battery power supply, or the MPA V L adapter,
Connector
3-pin male XLR
5 detailsSize & weight
Signal Noise Ratio A Weighted
63 db
Cable Length
5 ft. (1.5 m)
Weight
1.6
Net Weight
1.6 oz, (46 g)
Dimensions Length X Diameter
9.3 inch x 1.9 inch, 235 mm x 47 mm (microphone only)
3 detailsOther
Current Consumption
approx. 2 mA
Equivalent Noise Level
31 dB-A
Maximum Sound Pressure Level
130/132 dB SPL, (for 1%/3% THD)

Complete your setup

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