MICROPHONE OF THE MONTH JANUARY 2017

The AKG C 5600 is a directional electret microphone from the early 1990s; a large-diaphragm studio model which was made 'road proof' to be able to deal with the harsh conditions of live music on stage. Allowing for the first time to achieve the sound quality that audiences heard on studio recordings.

The capsule was AKG's first large-diaphragm electret, meant to approach the sound of the legendary AKG C 12 tube, the C 12A, the C 414 Comb and the C 414 ULS condenser microphones.

Since those types have two true capacitor caps (to allow for different directivity characteristics) and the C 5600 only has a single gold foil membrane electret capsule, it was much cheaper, but still delivered great tone. Two roll-off switches; -6 dB and -12 dB at 150 Hz, can restrict the bass, a built in adjustable stand adapter completed the design.

A 'poor man's version' of the earlier famous studio microphones that can be used for many purposes: electric guitar, vocals, voice over, piano, overheads, wind instruments, bass and drums: in short, a great all-rounder.

Unfortunately the AKG 'TRIPOWER' series never really broke through and production ended for this range of triangular designed models.
That is unfortunate because this sturdy condenser microphone is really worthwhile and stands its ground, both in the studio and on stage.
Luckily they surface occasionally, on the second hand market; anyone who finds one is really fortunate.

This is one of the types that feature in my book Witnesses of Words, which was recently released. More information about that can be found at www.witnessesofwords.com