AKG’s Perception line was introduced back in 2006, offering a solution to home-recording artists who were looking for quality microphones, but at a lower price than AKG’s more time-honored studio mics.
In this review, I’ll be taking a look at the P420, the line’s flagship model.
Final verdict on the AKG P420
The P420 might not be the perfect microphone for every application, but for its asking price and overall performance, I think this is one of the better options when it comes to consumer-grade condensers.
It works well on multiple sound sources, and the benefit of three switchable polar patterns gives it a solid leg up on its competition.
What I like
- Flexibility thanks to its 3 polar patterns.
- Versatile.
- Clean and neutral sound.
- Fair price point.
What I don’t like
- Doesn’t provide the extra color that other higher-end condensers offer.
Why you should trust me
I’ve been writing, performing, recording, mixing, and producing music for over 15 years.
I have had experience in a vast array of genres, studio settings, and have worked and collaborated with countless artists.
Over my tenure, I have employed, owned, and repaired a plethora of microphones, through which I built the instincts it takes to know when to use which microphone for nearly any application.
I’ve since grown a passion for helping others achieve the best sound possible in their work.
Contents
Use these jump links to navigate to the desired section of the review.
Polar pattern and frequency response
The P420’s directionality can be set to figure-8, cardioid, or omni via a small switch on the front of the mic.
Turning around to the back end, you’ll find that there is also a low-cut filter (300 Hz with -12 dB/octave) and a -20 dB attenuation pad.
AKG states that the microphone has a max SPL of 135 dB, running up to 155 dB once the attenuation pad is engaged, so you’ll be hard-pressed to find a source that is too loud for the mic to handle (140 dB is roughly the volume of a gunshot).
The frequency range is stated as 20 Hz – 20 kHz, although this isn’t very helpful in understanding the microphone’s voicing since there are no specifications as to how it responds at different decibel measures.
The chart shows that the microphone has a fairly flat curve, with some expected variations of the location and shape of the presence peaks depending on which polar pattern is being engaged (roughly +4 dB at 10 kHz in cardioid, 15 kHz in omni, and 6 kHz in figure-8).
So, the microphone should sound modest and neutral based on the numbers at least.
What’s interesting here is that AKG isn’t marketing this as a vocal microphone, but instead lists that the microphone is best suited for “ensemble recording, grand piano, woodwind and brass instruments, as well as drums and percussion,” on the company’s site.
However, given the information at hand, I doubt that the microphone won’t be able to excel in this area, especially if you’re looking for little coloration.
The one issue that may pop up however is that the self noise of this microphone is about 15 dB, which is quite loud.
I’ll go over a few different applications to test the mic’s performance.
Vocals 4.9
While it doesn’t seem that this microphone was intended to be used on vocals, I see no reason why one shouldn’t based on the results.
Most dedicated vocal microphones have a bit more of a presence peak to help add some clarity, and while this microphone doesn’t have that, I find that it’s lack of coloration rather pleasing.
The microphone is definitely a tad darker-sounding than others for this purpose, but it successfully captures a good amount of detail and warmth.
That said, I’d still use a pop filter to comb out any unwanted plosives and sibilance.
Live vocals
For live situations, I don’t see any reason not to use this microphone. It will definitely pick up some bleed as one can expect from a condenser, but with the cardioid polar pattern engaged it’s quite good at rejecting any sound from the rear.
Spoken word
While the clarity and warmth of this microphone seems like it would excel here, the 15 dB self-noise might make voiceover work untenable.
As far as streamers and gamers are concerned, I tend to not recommend condenser microphones unless your keypad and controls are absolutely quiet and your room is treated.
Acoustic guitars 5.0
I quite liked the detail when playing acoustic guitar into this mic. The results sounded exceptionally polished and warm. Not much more to say than that. Excellent for acoustic guitar.
Guitar amps 4.0
While I would tend to opt for a slightly more colorful microphone for this application, the P420’s results weren’t lackluster by any means.
Clean tones were captured pretty faithfully, and distortion at high volumes proved unproblematic thanks to the attenuation pad.
I’m docking a point for my own subjective taste but if you’re looking for neutrality, the P420 delivers.
Bass amps 3.0
Not my favorite for this application. I suppose if you use a DI box you can blend in the tone of the P420 to some success. However, I wasn’t able to get any results that I was happy with.
Overall, I found the microphone to be a little too clean and too neutral for my liking.
Drums 4.5
As AKG has stated, it worked well with drums especially with the attenuation pad engaged.
I wasn’t too fond of it as an overhead mic, I think I would have preferred something with a bit more color. Perfectly workable, however, and I think it served this application well.
Build quality 5.0
AKG has always been an incredibly reliable brand when it comes to the overall build, design, and durability of its mics.
Here, the P420 gives no reason to question that. It weighs in at 1.17 lbs, so it has a little bit of heft but not so heavy that a mic stand will have trouble staying in position.
The design isn’t breaking the mold of what most folks would expect a condenser to look like, but it’s aesthetically pleasing nonetheless.
I have no qualms with the unassuming yet stylish black cast and steel grille.
Compared to other microphones
Here are some other microphones that might be worth your attention.
AKG P420 vs AKG P220
These microphones basically perform the same as one another, the big difference between the two is that the P220 only offers a cardioid polar pattern whereas the P420 offers cardioid, omni, and figure-8. The P220 is slightly less expensive as a result.
I don’t really have much of an opinion on which is better or worse, just that the P220 offers slightly less flexibility for a lower price. Either are fine depending on your preferences.
AKG P420 vs C214
The C214 is a solid microphone, and is definitely worth anybody’s consideration.
However, there is a solid price gap between the C214 and the P420 which I’m not sure I could justify depending on the circumstance.
Before opting for the C214, I would suggest treating your room properly before upgrading mics. Doing so will probably make your P420 perform better as well.
AKG P420 vs Rode NT1
This is a bit of a toss up since these are two fairly different sounding microphones. The NT1 is also a tad bit more expensive than the P420.
I would suggest trying to A/B them at a local shop and deciding which you think your voice sounds better on.
The NT1 is brighter than the P420, which doesn’t work great on my voice but might work well on other’s.
AKG P420 vs Audio-Technica AT2035
I think I’d prefer the P420 over the AT2035, if for nothing else but subjective taste.
The AT2035 doesn’t sound too different from the AT2020 to my ears, so the added cost doesn’t seem worth it to me.
Especially given that the Perception offers more flexibility in terms of polar patterns.
See Audio-Technica AT2035’s current price
Who is the AKG P420 best suited for?
I’d recommend this microphone to anybody looking for a low-cost condenser that offers solid quality performance and flexibility in the studio.
See current price at: SweetwaterAmazon
