New Vintage Mic Recreation from AKGTransducer identical to that of the best-selling original C 451 EB + CK 1.
Dramatically improved specifications.  December 4, 2001
Drawing on their knowledge of acoustic and electronic
design, AKG engineers came up with the new C 451 B, a
state-of-the-art version that eliminates all the mechanical and
electronic weak points of the original C 451 EB + CK 1.
One of the most important design goals was to maintain the
same response of the legendary CK 1 capsule including the
characteristic slight high-frequency boost. The transducer
capsule of the new microphone, however, is permanently fixed
to the body in order to eliminate the mechanical drawbacks of
a modular design. To the same end, the original screw-in
preattenuation pads between the capsule and preamp were
replaced with a built-in switchable 10 dB/20 dB pad.
The new C 451 B provides a switchable highpass filter at
75 Hz or 150 Hz to prevent low-end distortion that may be
caused, e.g., by rumble or wind noise, and a switchable
10-dB/20-dB preattenuation pad to increase the microphone's
SPL capability when close-miking high-energy sound sources
or driving preamps or mixers with limited headroom.
Owing to its extremely light diaphragm, the microphone is
highly insensitive to handling noise. An all-metal body provides
efficient protection from RF interference and the microphone is
rugged enough to give excellent results even under very harsh
conditions.
The outside appearance of the new C 451 B is a déjà vu: like
the original C 451 EB + CK 1, the new C 451 B features a
sandblasted, nickel plated all-metal body with engraved
lettering (rather than the printed lettering on most current AKG
microphones).
The C 451 B is intended for any application where
sounds, particularly their transient content, need to be
captured with maximum accuracy, such as overhead miking of
drums, percussive instruments, or guitar.
Fans of the original C 451 EB + CK 1 no longer need to
search the second-hand market as their favorite recording tool
is now available again: brand new, technically optimized, and
with full warranty.
Features
- Same transducer as in the legendary CK 1.
- Rugged construction. Ruler-flat on-axis frequency response.
- Precise, nearly frequency-independent cardioid.
- Extremely accurate signal transfer.
- Transformerless output stage for minimum distortion at low frequencies.
- Protected against electrostatic and magnetic interference.
- Switchable preattenuation pad (10 dB or 20 dB).
- Switchable highpass filter (75 Hz or 150 Hz, 12 dB/octave).
- Operates on phantom power to DIN/IEC between 12 V and 48 V.
- Complete with SA 40 stand adapter and W 90 windscreen
- Individual frequency response plot included
- Also available as a matched stereo pair with stereo bar and carrying case.
Some History
In the 1960s, US sound engineers regarded big, heavy microphones as the epitome of acoustic quality while their European colleagues
demanded more and more miniature microphones. Large-diaphragm transducers have been much sought-after recording tools to this day. Their
characteristic response is perfectly suited for the natural sound of certain instruments and provides a pleasant, warm sound.
However, if a sound is to be captured with maximum accuracy small microphones are superior to their larger counterparts because the vibrations
of a small diaphragm are much easier to control. In addition, small microphones cause much less turbulence within a sound field.
The first mass-produced transistorized AKG microphone, the C 451, was launched in 1969.The C 451 was at first only available with a nickel
plated body in two versions:
The C 451 C had a DIN connector that was still a standard in Europe at the time even though it was of rather poor engineering quality.
The C 451 E already featured an XLR connector.The C 451 was designed for universal phantom powering at 12 to 48 volts, although it worked
at voltages as low as 7.5 volts so it could even be powered from a 9-volt battery which was already available everywhere at the time.
The C 451 system (also called the CMS Condenser Modular Series) comprised a preamp and several interchangeable screw-on capsules. It was
made until 1993 and then replaced with the AKG Blue Line. However, the specific response of the CK 1 remained in demand for certain
applications to this day.
For more information, visit their web site at www.akg.com. | 
