Mic Archive
AKG C451 B
Photo: AKG (Harman), from its manual, p. 1.

AKG

AKG C451 B

Small-diaphragm cardioid condenser (the CK1 capsule, fixed), for overheads, hi-hat, acoustic guitar and piano

Type
Condenser
Pattern
Cardioid
Sensitivity
−41 dBV/Pa
Self-noise
18 dB(A)
Max SPL
135 dB SPL
Impedance
200 Ω
Rated range
20 – 20k Hz

Frequency response

Angle
Distance

Frequency response: from the manual, p. 15. Titled "Frequency response"; relative dB. Distance and room not stated.

Independent measurement: also drawn, from the Multi-Angle, Multi-Distance Microphone Impulse Response Dataset (Juan Carlos Franco Hernández, Bogdan Bacila, Tim Brookes, Enzo De Sena, University of Surrey) (CC BY 4.0): one unit, measured at 1.25 m and set to 0 dB at 1 kHz, from 136 Hz up. Not the manufacturer's curve.

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. 15. Titled "Polar Diagram"; two half plots (125 Hz to 1 kHz left, 2 to 16 kHz right), 0° at the bottom, 5 dB per ring. Measuring conditions not stated.

Compare with other mics

All specs

From the manual
Capsulesame transducer as the CK1 (fixed, not modular)p. 11
Sensitivity−41 dBV/Pa (9 mV/Pa)p. 15
Self-noise18 dB(A), IEC 60268-4, A-weighted. Measured with 48 V phantom; 2 dB less dynamic range at 24 V, 8 dB at 12 V.
Max SPL135 dB SPL, 0.5% THD, 0 dB pad (48 V phantom); also 145 dB SPL, -10 dB pad; also 155 dB SPL, -20 dB pad
Dynamic range117 dB, max., A-weighted
Output impedance200 ohm, < 200 ohm
Rated load impedance1000 ohm, recommended, > 1000 ohm
Rated frequency range20 Hz to 20 kHz, ± 1.5 dB from the published curve
Poweringphantom, 9 to 52 V (IEC 61938)
Low cutoff, 75 Hz, 150 Hz. 12 dB/octave; 75 or 150 Hz is the -3 dB point (p. 11).
Pad−10 dB; also −20 dB
ConnectorXLR-3 male
Weight125 g, net
Dimensions19 × 160 mm. Diameter × length.
Finishsatin nickel plated
Output stageTransformerlessp. 11
Operating temperature-20 °C to +60 °Cp. 15

Documents

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

Product page on akg.comRecording Hacks

Recommended for

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

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