AKG C411L Ultra Light Instrument Mic W/Mini XLR Instrument Mic

by AKG

Product Features

• * Ultra-light vibration pickup
• * Condenser transducer in sealed enclosure
• * Cable with lockable miniature XLR connector

Product Details

• Item Weight: 0.6 ounces
• Shipping Weight: 2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• ASIN: B0006IU91G
• Item model number: C411L
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #18,000 in Musical Instruments (See Top 100 in Musical Instruments)
  • #12 in Musical Instruments > Recording Equipment > Microphones > Condenser Microphones > Instrument

Product Description

From the Manufacturer

Weighing only 18 grams (0.6 oz.), this ultra-light condenser pickup is ideal for acoustic guitar, mandolin, violin, and most other stringed instruments. The C411 will give a clear and uncolored sound without changing the balance of the instrument. Attaching the C411 on or near the bridge or anywhere else on the instrument is easy with the included non-marring, reusable, solventfree adhesive compound.

Technical Specifications

• Polar pattern: figure-eight (vibration pickup)
• Frequency range: 10 to 18,000 Hz
• Sensitivity: 1 mV/msec-2 (vibration pickup)
• Max. SPL: 100 dB (for 1% THD)
• Impedance: 200 ohms unbalanced
• Recommended load impedance: >=1000 ohms
• Supply voltage: 9 to 52 V phantom power to DIN45596 or battery powering from B29L or AKG bodypack transmitter
• Current consumption: approx. 2.2 mA
• Connector: 3-pin mini XLR
• Cable: 1.5 m (5 ft.)
• Finish: matte black
• Dimensions: 27 x 14 x 9.5 mm / 1.1 x 0.5 x 0.3 in.
• Net weight: 18 g / 0.7 oz.

Product Description

The C 411 condenser acoustic pickup with its tailored frequency response is ideal for acoustic guitar, mandolin, violin and most other stringed instruments. Placing the small ultra-light C 411 on or near the bridge will reproduce a clear and uncolored sound without changing the balance of the instrument. Attaching the C 411 is easy with the included non-marring reusable adhesive compound. The C 411 is the stethoscope for your acoustic instruments. Polar pattern: figure 8 (vibration pickup, Frequency range: 10-18,000 Hz, Sensitivity: 1 mV/ms2 (vibration pickup), Max. SPL for 1 % THD: approx. 100 dB SPL,impedance: 200 Ohms unbalanced. 9 to 52 volts phantom power or battery powering from B 29 L or AKG bodypack transmitters, Connector: C 411: 3-pin male XLR; Cable length: 3 m (10 ft.), Finish: matte black. Size: 27 x 14 x 9.5 mm (1 x 0.5 x 0.3 in.), Net/shipping weight: 18 /225 g (0.3/7.9 oz.). Standard accessories: adhesive compound. Optional accessories: for C 411 L: B 29 L battery power supply, MPA III L MicroMic phantom power adapter.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Better Than Most Pickups, March 9, 2007

By 

D. Gulley - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: AKG C411L Ultra Light Instrument Mic W/Mini XLR Instrument Mic (Accessory)

PROS:
1-the flexibility to experiment with placement and tones on the soundboard and bridge.
2-sounds better than most pickups.
3-no need to drill holes in the guitar
4-low cost (also see CONS)
5-sound got even better when I combined the C411 signal with an Audio Technica AT831b clip-on mic pointed at the soundhole. This sound was almost as good as using my AKG C414 in the studio.
6-adhesive sticks really well and doesn't mark up or damage the wood
7-solid/loud output
8-can be used on multiple guitars
9-using two C411s at the same time (placed on different parts of the guitar)would probably sound even better

CONS:
1-doesn't sound better than a high-end condensor mic
2-cost of the mic is low but the AKG cable you need to use the mic cost more than mic.
3-attack is good for fingerstyle/classical/flamenco players but not ideal for really fast pickers (maybe a compressor would remedy this issue)

OVERALL:
worth the money and worth trying out as an alternative to other pickups/transducers for live sound.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars AKG C411- should be an industry standard, April 8, 2011

By 

NANDA K - See all my reviews

This review is from: AKG C411L Ultra Light Instrument Mic W/Mini XLR Instrument Mic (Accessory)

when i originally purchased this product, i didnt really have great expectations for it. i had tried it once in a hurry,managed to get a decent sound, so i thought, i'll give it a shot. but man, when i actually took 15 minutes to find the sweet spot on my acoustic guitar, GOD this thing gave me an eargasm ;) my whole life, i had dreamt of getting a pure,natural acoustic guitar without bothering to drill holes in my guitar or having to worry about feedback on stage.
this mic captures every imagineable detail on my steel sting acoustic & its incerdibly feedback resistant for most acoustic venues(dont expect to play at a rock show thru a 100W monster amp). the acoustic sound comes out so clear & natural,it picks up finger squeaks,finger taps everything & yet very little of surrounding noise. hats off to AKG for making such a great product. I've even tried it on a nylon string guitar(great sound), on a sitar(really good) & even on the body of a fretless electric guitar(!even the electric sounded decent!)

remember that this is not a pickup, its a condenser microphone. so it needs phantom power.
only downside: this mic is hardwired with a mini XLR plug. to use it, u need to buy another AKG product like the B29L or MPA V in order to supply phantom power. u cannot plug it straight into an amp or mixer. despite the added cost, i feel its really worth the price. in fact this should be an industry standard. i'm tired of going to concerts & having my beautiful acoustic miked with a SM57(acoustics sound like garbage thru a SM57).
great product, spend half hour with your acoustic guitar to find the sweet spot to paste it(with included removable adhesive) & u'll get years of auditory pleasure.
this is a highly recommended purchase.