AKG 414 ULS v WeissKlang L1 - Can the 250$ L1 take down a 414 in a Teutonic Title Clash?

The AKG 414 is not just ubiquitous, it's everywhere, and for good reason. But there's a new kid in town. Hand made in Germany and as cheap as chips can be during the cost of living crisis, WeisKlang's L1 is a peach of a mic and a steal at the price but will the 414 eat the peach and steal the L1's lunch money. We find out...
02:44 Anonymised mic test.

[@hannesfrischat7138]

Listening on a laptop: You got me with the exchange of A an G, however I still noticed the enhanced clearness of the "s" in the WeissKlang. Need to listen on studio speakers again, though. Nice test, thank you.

[@ppmtv-qh9qk]

Thanks Hannes - well observed on the labelling, sorry for the base trickery. I hadn't picked up on the 's' clarity - I too will go back and listen again. Thanks for taking the time. Ta like, ppm6.

[@vincentsweeney5007]

Both very high quality - I can't see anyone being dissatisfied with either. A comparison of the L1 with a small condenser like the C4 would be interesting.

[@ppmtv-qh9qk]

Thanks Vincent - I agree with your observation - you could make great recordings with either mic. And I agree an LDC v SDC would be a good idea, it's on the list! Ta like, ppm6.

[@davidsillars3181]

Well in the song Edelweiss, which I have vegue memories of singing at primary school, it is vice, aydelvice. And weiß, the German word for white, is pronounced vice. I thought there might have been a little more low end presence in A, but both detailed.

[@ppmtv-qh9qk]

David - thanks for the pronunciation pointer - I'm afraid my time in German classes were mostly wasted. I agree that the 414 has a bigger bottom end. Ta like ppm6.

[@2121cv]

I prefer your speaking voice with the AKG, the WeissKlang add some clarity and sibilance. Good definition for both.

[@ppmtv-qh9qk]

Thanks for your feedback - I pretty much agree with your analysis. Ta like, ppm6.

[@JochenVogel]

"Vice-clung", if you're not speaking with an Irish or Yorkshire accent.

[@ppmtv-qh9qk]

Thanks Jochen - my accent varies between Scots and Welsh! But when I see klang I want to say klang, however with your advice in mind - I'll try for klung. Thanks for dropping by. Ta like, ppm6.

[@ppmtv-qh9qk]

Forgot to ask Jochen - what mics are you using on the harp?
ruclips.net/video/Jabtr_rLgg8/видео.html
I remember many, many moons ago sticking contacts mics (C-Ducers I think) to harps. I don't think the results were great. ppm6.

[@JochenVogel]

Thanks for Your interest. I use a home-made piezo, made from an alarm-clock tweeter and well insulated with copper foil. I fastened it with a product called Tesa Power Strips. They're kind of soft and thus work a little against the piezoness. That goes through a TC guitar-preamp and a passive DI. That's all I use for a live-gig.
Recording at home I use a tBone sc 1100 pointing at the outside of the soundboard and a little bit upward from the bottom third of the soundbox. When I recorded in more professional studios, they used basically the same setup with a more expensive large diaphragm like a Brauner or TLM 103, plus another LDC for the top range. Last time that was a Rode NT 1. But we have also used a C 414 successfully.
@@ppmtv-qh9qk

[@ppmtv-qh9qk]

Hi Jochen - sounds like contact mics are still a thing in harp world and a very enterprising approach - alarm clock tweeters eh!? Good sound on the tBone SC 1100 - I don't know the mic but it delivers a full sound on your harp! Always good to get real world expertise and information. Ta like, ppm6.