12/17/2023 0 Comments Akg the tube microphoneSo what does it actually sound like? Overall, the Perception 820 has the characteristic warmth of a typical tube mic, augmented by its presence bump - which works well on some sources, but may be less flattering on others. On paper, at least, the Perception 820 seems well‑equipped to meet all the needs of a typical home studio in recording vocals, acoustic guitars, percussion and guitar amplifiers. The maximum SPL is 135dB, or 155dB with the 20dB pad engaged, so few sources will intimidate this microphone. An open-circuit sensitivity of 20mV/Pa is quoted along with a self noise of 16dB (A-weighted), both figures being typical for this type of microphone. In all modes, the low end is well extended, with the omni mode being flat to below 30Hz. In omni and cardioid modes, it is up at around 10kHz, giving more of an airy quality to the sound, while in figure‑of‑eight mode it is at its highest around 5kHz. The spec sheet and accompanying response curve show the mic to have a creditably flat response up to around 2kHz, above which there's a presence lift that rises to a maximum of around 5dB above the nominal level, and changes shape and position slightly depending on what pickup pattern is selected. A ground‑lift switch is fitted to help prevent ground-loop problems, and the mains voltage can be switched between 110V and 230V AC, 50/60Hz. The aforementioned rotary switch on the PSU is used to change the patterns, and connection between the mic and PSU is via an included seven‑pin XLR cable. By combining the outputs of the two capsules in different proportions, the pickup pattern can be made to cover the entire range, from omni, via several widths of cardioid, through to figure‑of‑eight. Whereas many vintage mics rely on long‑obsolete tubes that are now virtually impossible to get hold of for less than the price of a family car, the Perception 820 uses what is probably the most commonly available preamp tube on the planet, the ECC83 (or 12AX7, as our US cousins call it) dual triode. These are true externally powered capacitor capsules, rather than back‑electrets (not that back‑electrets can't be made to perform equally well). ![]() The capsule is based around a pair of one‑inch-diameter, gold‑sputtered, back‑to‑back diaphragms. A captive locking ring on the mount screws to the base of the mic. Also included in the kit, which comes in a foam‑lined camera case, is a robust elastic‑cradle shockmount, with a metal frame finished in metallic blue to match the mic. The 20dB pad and roll‑off (80Hz, 12dB/octave) switches are on the power supply, along with a nine‑way pattern-selector switch, so the mic itself is very streamlined, with just the AKG badge to break the monotony, and to indicate the 'hot' side of the mic when it's used in cardioid mode. ![]() The format, though, is fairly conventional, with a simple, cylindrical shape (53mm in diameter and 212mm long) and dual‑layer mesh basket. In common with other members of AKG's Perception range, the pale‑blue anodising on the bodywork makes it instantly recognisable. In combination with AKG's design expertise and stringent quality‑control, I can see no reason why this mic should differ in any significant way from one built in Vienna - other than by being rather more affordable! Overview ![]() The design and construction is not what you'd expect from a run‑of‑the‑mill Chinese‑built mic, though: the bodywork is beautifully machined and the external power supply is a stylish affair with a brushed‑aluminium front panel, rather than the more common, utilitarian steel brick that accompanies many Chinese mics. Does AKG's Chinese-made Perception 820 maintain the Austrian company's impressive reputation?Ī number of the big‑name mic manufacturers have made the decision to have some of their more affordable products built either partly or wholly in the Far East, and that's the route AKG have taken with their Perception 820 Tube, a multi‑pattern valve microphone.
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