AKG C3000 High-Performance Large-Diaphram Condenser Microphone - 2785X
Description
AKG C3000 High-Performance Large-Diaphragm Condenser Microphone
The AKG C3000 is a large-diaphragm condenser built around a robust die-cast metal housing that delivers studio-grade durability and consistency across tracking sessions. Its smooth, slightly presence-peaked character captures vocals and instruments with pristine detail, sitting naturally in a mix without demanding excessive EQ work. The forgiving proximity response and intuitive handling make this microphone an ideal workhorse for home studios and professional tracking alike.
Design & Build
Heavy-duty die-cast metal construction with a gold-sputtered one-inch capsule ensures reliable performance and longevity in demanding recording environments. At 320 g and measuring 162 mm in height with a 19 mm diameter, the C3000 balances presence with practical desk or stand positioning, while the included H85 Universal Shock Mount isolates vibration and handling noise effectively during recording.
Recording & Mix Integration
A cardioid polar pattern with 20–20,000 Hz frequency response delivers transparent high-end clarity across vocal and instrumental sources. The 150 dB maximum SPL, 14 dB-A equivalent noise level, and >80 dB-A signal-to-noise ratio combine to provide clean, dynamic capture without sacrificing headroom or introducing unwanted noise floor artifacts that complicate mix work.
Key Features
- Gold-sputtered one-inch large-diaphragm capsule
- Cardioid polar pattern
- Frequency response: 20–20,000 Hz
- Maximum SPL: 150 dB
- Equivalent noise level: 14 dB-A
- Signal-to-noise ratio: >80 dB-A
- Sensitivity: 20 mV/Pa
- -10 dB preattenuation pad
- Bass cut filter at 500 Hz (6 dB/octave)
- Balanced 3-pin XLR male output
- Phantom power: 9–52 V, 2 mA
- Includes H85 Universal Shock Mount
The C3000 combines transparent acoustic performance with practical studio workflow, delivering polished, production-ready recordings across diverse tracking applications.
More Information
| Condition | New |
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At a Glance
The AKG C3000 is a large-diaphragm condenser microphone engineered for home and professional studio recording, offering transparent high-end clarity and a naturally balanced proximity response that captures vocals and instruments with pristine detail. Its 20–20,000 Hz frequency response, 150 dB maximum SPL, and low equivalent noise level (14 dB-A) deliver clean dynamic capture with excellent headroom, while the included bass cut filter and -10 dB pad provide practical mixing flexibility without extra outboard gear. Choose it to reduce mixing workload and capture polished, performance-ready recordings across diverse sources—a versatile large-diaphragm solution that performs reliably in any studio setup.
Frequently Asked Questions
What's included in the box?
The AKG C3000 comes with the microphone, an H85 Universal Shock Mount for vibration isolation, and all necessary cables. You will need a mixing console, audio interface, or mixer with phantom power (9–52 V) to operate it.
What sources does this microphone work best on?
The C3000's cardioid polar pattern and smooth, slightly presence-peaked character excel on vocals, acoustic instruments, and room recordings. The built-in 500 Hz bass cut filter and -10 dB preattenuation pad allow you to tailor response for proximity-heavy sources or high-SPL instruments without distortion.
How does the C3000 compare to other large-diaphragm condensers at this price?
The C3000 combines a die-cast metal housing and gold-sputtered capsule with transparent 20–20,000 Hz frequency response and a high signal-to-noise ratio (>80 dB-A), delivering studio-grade durability and clean capture at an affordable price point. Its forgiving proximity response and included shock mount reduce the learning curve and setup complexity.
Is this microphone suitable for live sound or only studio recording?
The C3000 is primarily engineered for studio and tracking applications, though its cardioid pattern and 150 dB maximum SPL allow it to handle dynamic sources in live-sound reinforcement or recording live performances if your system design calls for it.
What does the -10 dB pad and bass cut filter do?
The -10 dB preattenuation pad reduces input level by 10 dB to prevent clipping on very loud sources, while the 500 Hz bass cut filter (6 dB/octave) reduces proximity effect and rumble, giving you more control over your recorded tone without external EQ.