AKG D190e - is this mic a secret?

[electrohed]

I've recently been using these mics a lot - particularly for recording snare drums and for live. There is no mention of the D190e anywhere on the SOS site - is it a secret? I'm interested to see if anyone else is using these mics.

ta

[IvanSC]

I used to use them as a substitute for SM57`s back in the seventies. A moderately good utility dynamic.
The 1200 was better.

[Hugh Robjohns]

There is no mention of the D190e anywhere on the SOS site - is it a secret?

It's an obsolete microphone. Popular in the 70s and early 80s as a cheap alternative to the Shure SM57. A basic cardioid response dynamic mic with very little top end (it was about 3dB down by 12kHz), and needing close positioning to the source to get any bass response. A very sub-cardioid polar response at mid and low frequencies and a distinct rear tail at HF, so rejecting nearby spill was never great!

You'll find all the details if you look at the library on the AKG site.

Hugh

[electrohed]

I find them to be a subjectively better alternative to the SM57 - a mic I've never really liked- less harsh to my ears. The reason I raise them is that you can often pick them up for peanuts. They seem to good be utility mics. I find I don't need to use any EQ when using it as a live snare mic or on congas or bongos.

[lje]

Maybe an alternative to SM57 but nowhere near as rugged. We used to use them as “backup” mics for TV news-readers where we were required to use a “non condenser” mic...

[Steve Hill]

Awful things, quite rightly discontinued maybe 30 years ago because the SM57 blew them away!

[Sam Inglis]

Is there any connection between the D190 and the D19 (which seems to fetch crazy sums of money on eBay)?

[Hugh Robjohns]

No. They are entirely different models and look quite different, although both are nominally cardioid dynamic mics.

You'll find info sheets for both on the AKG website in the library resource.

The D19 was intended for the amateur hobbyist and budget conference type applications. It has more bass and a raised top end compared to the D190, but similar polar response anomalies with poor rear rejection.

No idea why the D19 would attract high prices on eBay. It's not a nice mic!

Hugh

[Guest]

I still have the D190Es which were one of my first pairs of 'name' mics.

They're not the best mics in the world but one instrument on which I still find them useful is the marimba. They always seem to give it a nice warm, round, woody sound without adding edge. Not great if you've got a piece that uses a lot of slap effects but nice when a softer sound is needed.

I doubt I'd buy any more now but the pair I've got have done good work over the years and I wouldn't get rid of them. They're not worth anything anyway.

[Doublehelix]

They're not the best mics in the world but one instrument on which I still find them useful is the marimba.

Ya know, that is the one mic in my collection that I am missing, a marimba mic!!! I have been searching forever! Dang 0VU, thanks!!! Next time I am recording a marimba, I'll keep that in mind!!! LOL!

Only you would have a dedicated marimba mic!

Haha! I love the marimba, but have never had the "opportunity" to record one. I have recorded a small xylophone one time, and it was not an easy thing to record, had a real bear of a time.

[electrohed]

I think I need to go back and do a comparison recording with with an SM57 and 58. I've been avoiding the 57 for so long maybe its time to give it another go and see if really does a better job than the 190e. I'm a big fan of the 70's drum sound so perhaps that's why I like this mic!

[Ronnie Wibbley]

Whilst we're on the subject of old AKG dynamics, what are your opinions of the old D202 (the "rocket")?

[Hugh Robjohns]

Lovely mic, and one of a very, very few cardioids that didn't suffer proxiitry effect becaue of the way it was built using separate HF and LF capsules.

hugh

[matt keen]

Lovely mic, and one of a very, very few cardioids that didn't suffer proxiitry effect becaue of the way it was built using separate HF and LF capsules.

hugh

We used to use the 202's and Electrovoice PL95's as smoother sounding dynamic options to SM57's. People who liked a more "American" sound seemed to like them.

As stated the 190e was fairly horrible though.

[Sam Inglis]

The D19 seems to have some association with the Beatles that means you can flog them for a hundred quid on eBay. I suspect the greatness of the Beatles may have had more to do with their songwriting and performing talents, but I suppose those are not for sale.

[Federico]

what about the D124? - does anyone know if that one is any good and for what applications? - I have an old semi working one I acquired but is it worth repairing? - found an SM58 in a car boot sale for one euro so I'll probably use that instead if it's for similar use

[John Willett]

what about the D124? - does anyone know if that one is any good and for what applications? - I have an old semi working one I acquired but is it worth repairing? - found an SM58 in a car boot sale for one euro so I'll probably use that instead if it's for similar use

Better than the D202 and with bass and treble capsules in the same way as the 202 - an excellent mic.

The D190 was the "poor man's D202" and I don't think it was ever envisaged as an alternative to the SM57. It was a good quality inexpensive speech mic. that was popular with churches all over the country and, in it's day, a good little all-rounder back-up mic.

[Steve Hill]

I still have a D202. Nice on brass now and then.

[Doublehelix]

OK, since we are traveling down this AKG road of history, what can someone tell me about the D1000e? I have had one for about 25 years, and have not used it since the early 80's to mic my guitar cabinet.

[IvanSC]

looks a bit like a 1200e?
If I recall it was a sort of econo version of the 1200e.
Next came that ice cream cone shaped one the errr......
(googlegooglegooogle)

well I found the D1000e ans it IS the exact mic I thought I remembered.
So it basically went D109 D blah blah D1000 D1200

D12 for kick

I still have a D1200e and never ever use it for anything but it looks quite pretty nestling there in the mic box.
Alongside the cruddy RodeNT1 that I finally traded for a guitar recently.

(virtual fireworks display here)

Aha! D202 was the nice dynamic mic I was reaching for.

[Guest]

Only you would have a dedicated marimba mic!

I have two - for stereo marimba

And wait 'til you see my surround ocarina array

[Wonks]

Only you would have a dedicated marimba mic!

I have two - for stereo marimba

And wait 'til you see my surround ocarina array

I bet you even have a special mic for capturing the sound of the drummers drool hitting the floor!

[Aural Reject]

But what does he use on Concertinas?

[Wonks]

But what does he use on Concertinas?

Uzi 9mm?

[Jack Ruston]

I've found D190's are good when you're looking for sort of 'nasty lofi' backing vocals...It's not a nice mic but can be useful.