AKG Professional C151 Small Diaphragm Condenser Microphone

AKG C 151 – Reference Instrument Microphone for Studio and Stage

The AKG C 151 is a precision small-diaphragm condenser microphone engineered for the accurate and musical capture of acoustic instruments in both professional recording studios and live performance environments. Building on AKG’s long heritage of world-class microphone design, the C 151 delivers the transparency, detail, and frequency accuracy demanded by professional recording engineers, orchestral sound designers, and live sound specialists.

AKG’s Engineering Tradition

AKG Acoustics has been at the forefront of microphone design for over 75 years, producing legendary tools used in the world’s finest recording studios and on the most prestigious concert stages. From the C 414 to the C 12 VR, AKG’s condensers have shaped the sound of countless recordings across every genre of music. The C 151 brings this engineering tradition to a purpose-built instrument microphone, designed specifically for the accurate, musical capture of acoustic instruments.

Small-Diaphragm Condenser – Precision for Instruments

Small-diaphragm condenser microphones like the C 151 are the preferred tool for capturing acoustic instruments precisely because of their superior transient response and more consistent polar pattern across the frequency range. Where large-diaphragm microphones offer a pleasant colouration that works beautifully for voices, the small diaphragm’s faster, more linear response captures the attack, decay, and harmonic complexity of acoustic guitars, violins, flutes, pianos, and percussion with extraordinary accuracy. What goes in is what comes out.

Extended High-Frequency Response

The C 151 features an extended high-frequency response reaching to 20kHz and beyond, capturing the full harmonic overtone series of acoustic instruments including the delicate air and shimmer that gives acoustic guitars their brightness and violins their singing quality. The frequency response is optimised to be flat and accurate across the entire audible spectrum, providing a neutral, reference-quality capture that gives recording engineers and mix engineers the maximum flexibility in post-production.

Rugged, Tour-Ready Construction

The C 151 is built to withstand the rigours of professional touring and session recording. Its machined metal body resists the humidity, temperature variations, and physical handling that are inevitable in professional environments. The capsule is protected by a robust mesh head grille, and all connectors are precision-machined and gold-plated for a reliable, low-resistance connection every time. This is a microphone that will perform consistently whether it is in a climate-controlled recording studio or a sweaty festival stage environment.

Versatile Applications

The C 151 excels across a wide range of instrument recording applications. Use it for acoustic guitar – either fingerpicked or strummed – to capture the full detail of the instrument’s resonance. Deploy it on orchestral instruments including violin, cello, flute, oboe, and clarinet. Position it as an overhead drum microphone to capture the transient attack of cymbals and snare with exceptional clarity. Use it in stereo pairs for piano, choir, or full orchestral capture. The C 151’s consistent cardioid pattern and accurate frequency response make it equally effective in any of these applications.

Low Self-Noise for Quiet Sources

The C 151 achieves a low self-noise figure that makes it suitable for capturing delicate, quiet acoustic sources – solo acoustic guitar, classical flute, harpsichord, and other instruments that demand a quiet microphone to reveal their full dynamic range. The high maximum SPL ensures that even loud instruments can be captured without distortion, making the C 151 genuinely versatile across the full range of acoustic instrument levels.

Technical Specifications

Capture acoustic instruments with professional precision – order the AKG C 151 today from Pro Audio Video and hear the difference a reference microphone makes.