Mic Archive
AKG C3000
Photo: AKG, from its spec sheet, p. 2.

AKG

AKG C3000

Large-diaphragm (1-inch) condenser, cardioid, side-address studio and stage mic with 10 dB pad and bass cut (the redesigned C3000 of about 2012)

Approximate Some readings for this mic are uncertain; see the graphs.

Type
Condenser
Pattern
Cardioid
Sensitivity
−34 dBV/Pa
Self-noise
14 dB(A)
Max SPL
140 dB SPL
Impedance
200 Ω
Rated range
20 – 20k Hz

Frequency response

Angle
Distance

Frequency response: from the manual, p. 13. "Frequency Response Curve"; relative dB, labelled +20 to -30. Distance, room and smoothing not stated. An unlabelled dashed line (about 10 to 25 dB lower) is also drawn and not stored.

Dashed: outside the rated range, or simulated (other angles and distances). Hover or tap the graphs for values.

Polar pattern

Polar pattern: from the manual, p. 13. "Polar Pattern": two half-plots, 0° at the bottom. Left: 125, 250 and 500 Hz drawn as one dashed line, 1000 Hz solid. Right: 2000 and 4000 Hz as one solid line, 8000 Hz dashed, 16000 Hz dotted. Rings labelled 0, -10 and -20 (5 dB per ring); centre circle -30 dB. Measuring conditions not stated. Approximate reading error up to about 1 dB.

Compare with other mics

All specs

From the manual
Capsule1-inch diaphragm, gold-sputtered on one side only. Page 10: "a diaphragm that is gold-sputtered on one side only to prevent local shorting to the back electrode".p. 10
Sensitivity−34 dBV/Pa (20 mV/Pa), 1 kHz. "20 mV/Pa (-32 dBV)"; 20 mV/Pa is -34.0 dBV, so the printed -32 dBV is taken as a misprint.p. 13
Self-noise14 dB(A), IEC 60268-4, A-weighted
Max SPL140 dB SPL, 0.5% THD, pad off, 48 V phantom; also 150 dB SPL, 0.5% THD, -10 dB pad, 48 V phantom. "200 / 630 Pa = 140 / 150 dB SPL" (0/-10 dB); "Values for 48 V phantom power; reduce by 3 dB for 24 V and 6 dB for 12 V phantom power."
Signal-to-noise ratio80 dB, re 1 Pa, A-weighted, 48 V phantom. "80 dB*)"; the cut sheet says "> 80 dB-A".
Dynamic range126 dB, A-weighted, 48 V phantom. Page 10 says "a dynamic range of 136 dB (A-weighted)"; the specifications' 126 dB matches 140 dB SPL minus 14 dB(A).
Output impedance200 ohm. The cut sheet: "<200 Ohms".
Rated load impedance1000 ohm, recommended. The cut sheet: ">1000 Ohms".
Rated frequency range20 Hz to 20 kHz. "20 to 20,000 Hz (refer to frequency response curve)".
Poweringphantom 9 to 52 V (IEC 61938)
Current draw2 mA
Low cutoff, on; 500 Hz; 6 dB/octave. "Bass cut filter slope: 6 dB/octave below 500 Hz"; page 11: "The filter slope is more than 6 dB/octave at 500 Hz and below." The response graph marks the bass-cut curve "160Hz".
Pad−10 dB. "-10 dB, switchable".
ConnectorXLR-3 male. "3-pin male XLR to IEC standard".
Weight320 g, net. "320 g (14.1 oz.)"; 320 g is 11.3 oz, as the 2012 cut sheet says.
Dimensions53 × 162 mm. "max. dia.: 53 mm (2.1 in.), length: 162 mm (6.4 in.)"; stored as diameter × length.
Supplied accessoriesH85 shock mount. Page 10, packing list; the cut sheet: "H85 Universal Shock Mount".p. 10
Environment-10 °C to +60 °C; relative humidity 90% (+20 °C), 85% (+60 °C)p. 13
Phantom voltage and headroomMax SPL, S/N and dynamic range are for 48 V; reduce by 3 dB at 24 V and 6 dB at 12 V
ControlsPad selector on the left-hand side; bass cut selectorp. 11
From the spec sheet
HousingHeavy-duty die-cast metalp. 1

Documents

Copies kept by Mic Archive, because manufacturers move and drop their documents. Each is © AKG, unchanged, with its original address.

Recording Hacks

Recommended for

Instruments whose sources name this mic, or an earlier version or variant of it.

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