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OmnidirectionalCardioidHypercardioidShotgunAKG Acoustics C 480 B

Detachable-Capsule Pencil Condenser Microphone

The C480B is a pencil-mic FET preamp with a transformerless output stage. Part of AKG’s ULS series, it was designed for low self-noise (9-11dBA) and high dynamic range (120+dB).

It accepts at least four of AKG’s ULS-series capsules, three of which are identical except for pickup pattern. All have 15mm-diameter diaphragms made of gold-coated plastic foil (presumably Mylar).

AKG C 480 B microphone circuit boardThe preamp body has a 3-position high-pass filter:

  • Flat
  • -12dB/octave @ 70Hz
  • -12dB/octave @ 150Hz

A second switch provides access to a -10dB preattenuation pad. This switch also has a +6dB position, apparently intended for use with the CK69-ULS shotgun capsule, which has lower output.

Electronic Musician

…[O]ur string listening session ended with a long discussion on the merits of the characteristically crisp AKG sound contrasted with the smoother tonality of the Neumann KM 184 pair in this test. The musicians seemed torn between the two, concluding that the C 480 B/CK 61-ULS was more open in the high end, with a pop sound and more condenser-like shimmer than the KM 184. But in terms of fidelity, the C 480 B/CK 61-ULS didn’t quite capture a balanced violin tone…

The AKG Acoustics C 480 B is also known as: C480B, C480.

Specifications

Compatible Capsules
AKG Acoustics CK 61-ULSCardioid AKG Acoustics CK 61-ULS
15mm Cardioid capsule
Sensitivity: mV/Pa
Freq. Resp.: 20 to 20,000 Hz
MSRP: $328 | Still In Production
AKG Acoustics CK 62-ULSOmnidirectional AKG Acoustics CK 62-ULS
15mm Omnidirectional capsule
Sensitivity: mV/Pa
Freq. Resp.: 20 to 20,000 Hz
MSRP: $328 | Still In Production
AKG Acoustics CK 63-ULSHypercardioid AKG Acoustics CK 63-ULS
15mm Hypercardioid capsule
Sensitivity: mV/Pa
Freq. Resp.: 20 to 20,000 Hz
MSRP: $328 | Still In Production
AKG Acoustics CK 69-ULSShotgun AKG Acoustics CK 69-ULS
15mm Shotgun capsule
Sensitivity: mV/Pa
Freq. Resp.: 20 to 18,000 Hz
MSRP: $1220 | Still In Production
Pads & Filters Impedance SPL/Noise
  • Pad: -10 dB (Via Switch)
  • Pad: +6 dB (Via Switch)
  • Filter: HPF: 12 dB/octave @ 70Hz (Via Switch)
  • Filter: HPF: 12 dB/octave @ 150Hz (Via Switch)
 150 Ohms (Low) Max SPL: 134 dB
Weight Length Max Diameter Interface(s)
115g (4.06oz) 150mm (5.91'') 21mm (0.83'')
  • 3-pin XLR male (1)
Power Specifications
  • Requires phantom power
  • Phantom voltage: 48v

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