AKG P420

Good, solid feeling, multi-pattern microphone - very nice on electric guitar cabinets (particularly for rock, metal and blues).

I've tried this on a few things (recorded through focusrite RedNet 4 preamps - which can be a bit too clean and slightly clinical sounding) including male/female vocals, violin, banjo, acousic/electric guitar, bass, kick drum and piano.

I find that it over-emphasises the high-mids on most acoustic instuments (banjo is very difficult to record, as it's rather middly and harsh no matter what you do - I prefer ribbons for banjo), acoustic guitar sounds a little thin and lacks bass and mid depth - this can be easily improved with a small amount of EQ at around 2.5kHz.

I recorded a singer playing acoustic guitar, with the mic set to cardiod, and placed about 12" from the singer, aiming about halfway between his mouth and the sound hole (maybe slightly more towards his mouth) - this gave a reasonbly good sound, and was exactly what he wanted, although I thought is was still slightly thin and quite harsh sounding...although again, only a little EQ was needed to bring a bit of life into it.

Although it's not great for deep voices, or acoustic instruments (violin is especially unforgiving), I'd still reather have this than a Rode NT1a, not least because of the versatility that comes with having a switchable polar pattern. It does have a more pronounced bass responce than the NT1a, and is just as clean. The -20dB pad is also useful (especially as it can be used to bring out some clarity in heavy metal tracks).

USE: I use it in my home studio.
CLARITY: When I received it I was impressed with the build quality and also with the included case. When I started using it, i was even more impressed due to the sound and possibility to use it for different occasions (so for recording guitar, voice etc.).
PROS: Definitely build quality, included case and possibility of switchable characteristics.
CONS: Not any!
COMPREHENSIBILITY: I use it to record different things and in every one I was able to record really good sound. It is amazing for recording accordions, guitars and voices.
FURTHER INFORMATION: For such amount of money I am almost sure that you can not get any better studio microphones. I really recommend it because it can be used for different situations. Everything you need for that microphone is inside the included case. I only recommend pop filter for using it while using microphone for singers.

Wow, where else will you find a microphone of this build, for this price, with this much flexibility?

If you're a home-based producer/engineer and looking to utilise mid-side recording techniques, this microphone's figure-8 polar pattern is phenomenal. Alongside the omni and cardioid polar patterns, combined with the HPF and -20dB pad built in, you can't make a wrong choice at this price.
The shock mount and case included are a big plus - this is a must have anywhere on low to mid-budget projects. The vocals sound crisp but not overly boosted in the high end like you get with a lot of cheap(er) condenser microphones. It doesn't feel fragile - more like solid and robust. Still, i'm not going to be dropping it any time soon.

I would recommend this for recording acoustic guitars, vocals, ambience and more subtle instrumentation i.e. piano, harp also.

The ability to utilise the fig-8 and omni patterns in many situations with such a reasonably priced microphone is outrageous, you'd be missing out by not buying this!

I wanted a microphone for rap in the 2-300$ price range. After many months of research, i narrowed it down to 4 mikes with the P420 being my final choice. I wanted a mike that has a warm low end and also silky smooth highs, and I was surprised to hear this mike in action. It has an amazing sound for it's price range, and great versatility with all the functions it has. I got it on a sale for 175E and I still can't believe to this day, after 1 year of use, i paid so little for this amazing mike. Also, for the money, you get that great shockmount and case which both have great build quality and use. I cannot see myself recommending any other microphone for a home studio in this price range, just give it a chance, you will be blown away!

Me compré este micrófono hace un mes porque lo necesitaba para grabar guitarras acústicas y voces en mi home studio. Es el primer micrófono de condensador que he tenido y estoy muy satisfecho con la compra. Bien posicionado, da un sonido cálido y limpio de las cuerdas y de la voz. Además tiene varios patrones ajustables que permiten experimentar y grabar canciones con varios músicos.

Este AKG incluía un estuche y una araña, por lo que no te haría falta nada más si ya tienes pie. Recomendaría al comprador potencial que considere adquirir un pie que soporte adecuadamente el peso del micro y de la araña, pues sería una pena que se estropeara por una caída.