Using Different Era AKG 414s for Stereo

[SoundAbound]

I've been using one of the newer 414XLS for mono recording/mid-side music (jazz, classical and some rock mostly in live and streaming settings) and dialog so decided to get another used one for stereo, overhead use, etc. But when I went to pick it up I discovered it's one of the older 414B XLS models. Not mentioned in the ad and I stupidly didn't notice it in the photos. So the guy knocked $125 bucks off an already good price. Couldn't resist the deal. Especially since it was a long drive home. From what I can tell, both use the same capsule. They do sound alike and seem to match level-wise when testing with tone. Is this going to be an issue for stereo recording? People on other boards have mentioned that they have no issues with unmatched 414s though I assume they're using the exact same mics. I have a sinking feeling that I'll have to get yet another 414 to do proper stereo recordings. Thanks and look forward to more discussions on this board.

[resistorman]

I've never been that concerned with exact matching for stereo recording. My ears aren't remotely symmetrical in perception, and my headshape and hair patterns certainly are not symmetrical in shape, which affects sound too. No acoustic space is "perfect" for recording, no reproduction equipment is "perfect", let alone whatever acoustic space it plays back into, even headphones. I've used wildly different mics for stereo pairs with results from unusable to sublime. If it sounds good, then it is.

[BWC]

https://www.soundonsound.com/sound-advi ... -important

https://www.soundonsound.com/sound-advi ... ll-matched

https://www.soundonsound.com/sound-advi ... -important

[SoundAbound]

Thanks for the reply. I guess I'll just have to experiment on my own and see how it works in a studio setting. I don't use 414s for live work very often but I don't imagine it will be a big deal using them for overheads and such since the PA mix is mono. Thanks for the links BWC. I'll check those out.

I've never been that concerned with exact matching for stereo recording. My ears aren't remotely symmetrical in perception, and my headshape and hair patterns certainly are not symmetrical in shape, which affects sound too. No acoustic space is "perfect" for recording, no reproduction equipment is "perfect", let alone whatever acoustic space it plays back into, even headphones. I've used wildly different mics for stereo pairs with results from unusable to sublime. If it sounds good, then it is.

[jimjazzdad]

A 414XLS and a 414BXLS should work perfectly together in MS. How well they work in Blumlein or other stereo configurations will depend on how well the mics are matched; frequency response-wise and gain-wise they should be close (as you seem to have found). My understanding is the main difference between the
'B' XLS and the later model is just the extra patterns available.

[SoundAbound]

Thanks for the reply jimjazzdad. I'll definitely have to do some testing. That's probably the only way I'll definitively know. On other boards, some have said that the capsule is the exact same but positioned slightly differently. That and the extra patterns are the main difference. I'll report back when I've actually tried it out on a lower priority gig.

[jimjazzdad]

You could try contacting Richard Land at Land Audio Services in Tennessee. He is THE guy for working on AKG mics in North America. He repaired one of my C414B XLS mics a few years ago and had to replace the motherboard with the newer one from the 8 pattern XLS. (the old MB was no longer available but there was no change in the sound with the new board)

[Hugh Robjohns]

I suspect they'll be very similar tonally and intheir polar patterns, and so will probably provide perfectly acceptable stereo.

If you use in a spaced pair array the tonal and polar matching is a little less critical anyway, and if you use in a coincident xy configuration then re-formatting into an MS array will minimise the audibility of any tonal or polar variations.

Those links provided above will explain how to check their matching for peace of mind.

[SoundAbound]

Thanks for all of the replies. So far all of the tests that I've done have been good. So I think it should be fine.