ProAudio Review - January 2009 - (Page 54)

live review by Karl Bader AKG D 40 Instrument Microphone Specially designed for the stage, the D 40 dynamic cardioid gracefully delivers the sound of most live instruments and can take a beating (and we’ll prove it!) The AKG D 40 is a unidirectional dynamic cardioid microphone designed for drums, guitars, and wind instruments. The mic element, which utilizes the patented AKG Varimotion Laminate Diaphragm technology as used on the D5 vocal mic, is protected by a shock mount and steel-mesh grille to prevent damage to the element itself. According to AKG, it has a relative flat frequency response down to 125 Hz, where it drops off with a high pass. It also has a boost of approximately 6 dB in the 3 to 4 kHz range. Similar in size and shape to the Shure Beta 56, the D 40 comes with an H 440 drum rim clamp and a zippered nylon pouch. Features Upon opening the D 40 package, the mic impressed me with its “bulletproof” look. I first thought it might have a weak point at the two screws that hold it onto its mount (and, admittedly, I am a bit weary of the rim clamp concept). The rim clamp appeared to be flimsy; I was concerned about whether it would be able to hold the substantial weight of the mic, which is heavy for its size. I also noticed a cool feature about the D 40 stand mount; AKG integrated both thread sizes, so there is no need to find an adapter in order to screw the mic onto a rim clamp. In Use I used the D 40 in a large array of applications. On its first show, it was used as a second mic on a lead electric guitar cabinet. The first microphone was a Sennheiser 421 (series one) microphone. The engineer on the show said the D 40 was “the perfect complement” — he ended up using both microphones, adding a high pass on the D 40 channel and a low pass on the 421 channel to create a “bi-miked” situation and was very happy with it. The engineer said the D 40 had properties that made it great for the guitar, particularly in the high mids, which accentuated the instrument and naturally brought it out in the mix. The next application for the D 40 was as a tom mic. This gig had three toms: the D 40 was used on the first and floor toms, while the second tom was miked using a Sennheiser e604 cardioid drum microphone. I liked the sound of the D 40 on the first tom; it had a nice frequency response with the drum, and its highmid boost accentuated the character of the tonal qualities of the drum. In comparison, the e604 offered more low end, a flatter overall response, and sounded slightly smoother throughout the spectrum. On the floor tom I was neither happy nor unhappy with the sound of the D 40. On one hand, I was pleased with the sound; the mid-high boost accentuated the sound of the stick, rim, and head, but I wish it picked up the sub-low qualities that the drum’s tuning offered. On that note, the D 40 would definitely work well for drum kits where you don’t want a lot of low end from the toms. With this in mind, I wish I had tried the D 40 on snare, as I have a feeling this would have been the perfect place for it. My final test with the D 40 was on saxophone and trumpet via a band with a small horn section. I double-miked the sax for an Fast Facts Applications Live horns, guitars, toms, snare drums Key Features Dynamic pressure gradient cardioid microphone; shock-mounted element; comes with rim clamp; indestructible build quality Price $160 list Contact Contact:AKG USA | 818-920-3212 | www.akg.com/us Karl Bader is a lead audio engineer for Entertainment Sound Production and can be reached at karlbader@espsound.com 54 ProAudioReview | January 2009 www.proaudioreview.com http://www.akg.com/us http://www.proaudioreview.com

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of ProAudio Review - January 2009

ProAudio Review - January 2009 Contnets Technically Speaking New At NAMM: Studio Opinion: Studio Sense Feature: PAR Session Trials: Large-Diaphragm Microphones Review and Second Opinion: McDSP TDM Emerald Pack III featuring FutzBox PAR Contributor Of The Month Review: Audio-Technica AT2050 Multi-pattern Condenser Microphone Review: LaChapell Model 583s Microphone Preamp & Model 583e Microphone Preamp/EQ Review: RNDigital D4 Plug-In Mini Review: MXL Microphones V88 Large-Diaphragm Microphone Mini Review: Solid State Logic Mynx New at NAMM: Live New Live Products Opinion: Worship Audio PAR Recommends: Portable PA Options for 2009 Mini Review: Fishman SoloAmp Review: AKG D 40 Instrument Microphone Installation Profile: 9:30 Club, Washington, DC Single Slice

ProAudio Review - January 2009

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