AKG Sound Grabber II Hemispherical Boundary Layer Microphone
Description
AKG Sound Grabber II Hemispherical Boundary Layer Microphone
The AKG Sound Grabber II mounts flush against surfaces to capture the natural acoustic character of your recording environment with clarity and presence. Its hemispherical boundary layer design translates genuine tonal nuances into pristine recordings, making it ideal for tracking intimate acoustic sessions, full ensemble performances, and live-to-stereo recording applications where organic room-inclusive warmth becomes part of your sonic signature. The compact form factor and self-contained battery operation let you position this workhorse precisely wherever your session requires—on a wall, floor, or stand.
Design & Build
Finished in satin black and weighing just 115 grams, the Sound Grabber II maintains a low profile that mounts securely to surfaces or stands. Its hemispherical polar pattern and boundary layer configuration ensure consistent, even pickup across your tracking space, while the included 10-foot cable with multiple adapter plugs—1/8" mini phone, 1/4" phone, and micro phone—connects seamlessly to audio interfaces, mixers, preamps, and portable recorders.
Audio Performance
The electret condenser transducer delivers a smooth, balanced frequency response from 50 Hz to 16 kHz, capturing both low-end resonance and high-frequency detail with a sensitivity of 20 mV/Pa. With a maximum SPL of 120 dB and an equivalent noise floor of 21 dB (A-weighted), the Sound Grabber II handles everything from delicate fingerpicking to loud acoustic instruments and full ensemble tracking without distortion or unwanted self-noise—giving you headroom and clarity for critical capture.
Key Features
- Electret condenser transducer with hemispherical polar pattern
- Frequency response: 50 Hz to 16 kHz
- Open-circuit sensitivity: 20 mV/Pa (–54 dBV/Pa)
- Maximum SPL: 120 dB with 3% distortion
- Equivalent noise level: 21 dB SPL, A-weighted
- Impedance: 1,600 ohms unbalanced (10 kΩ minimum load recommended)
- Powered by single AAA 1.5V battery
- Unbalanced 3.5mm jack output with multi-adapter cable included
- 10-foot cable with 1/8" mini phone, 1/4" phone, and micro phone adapters
- Weight: 115 grams; dimensions: 7 x 15 x 1.86 cm; satin black finish
The Sound Grabber II delivers balanced, transparent reproduction across jazz, folk, classical, and contemporary recording projects where authenticity and consistent performance define the final mix.
More Information
| Condition | New |
|---|---|
| Country of Manufacture | China |
Reviews
At a Glance
The AKG Sound Grabber II is a boundary layer condenser microphone engineered to sit flush against room surfaces and capture pristine acoustic recordings with smooth, transparent response and minimal self-noise. Home producers and engineers use it to record acoustic instruments, vocal ensembles, and classical sessions where room ambience and organic warmth enhance the final mix rather than muddy it. Its inclusive polar pattern, low equivalent noise floor, and flexible cable adapter system make it a cost-effective choice for adding professional-sounding room mics or spot mics to multitrack recording sessions.
Who This Is For
Great for
- ✓ Home Recording
- ✓ Studio Sessions
- ✓ Acoustic instruments
- ✓ Ensemble recording
- ✓ Theatrical applications
Not the best pick for
- – Live Performance
- – High-SPL percussion
- – Touring
Skill level: Beginner · Intermediate · Advanced
Frequently Asked Questions
What does 'boundary layer' design do, and where should I mount it?
Boundary layer design exploits the acoustic properties of surfaces—mount the mic flush against a wall, ceiling, or instrument body to capture natural room warmth and reduce phase cancellation. This placement translates genuine tonal character into pristine recordings of ensembles, acoustic instruments, and theatrical performances.
What's included in the box, and what do I need to connect it?
The Sound Grabber II comes with a 10-foot cable featuring three adapter plugs—1/8 inch mini phone, 1/4 inch phone, and micro phone—so you can connect directly to recorders, mixers, portable devices, and interfaces. It runs on a single AAA 1.5V battery and outputs unbalanced audio.
Can it handle loud acoustic instruments or ensemble recordings without distortion?
Yes. The Sound Grabber II has a maximum SPL of 120 dB with 3% distortion and an equivalent noise floor of 21 dB (A-weighted), so it captures everything from delicate fingerpicking to loud ensemble work cleanly and transparently.
Is this mic suitable for live performance or touring?
No. The Sound Grabber II is designed for studio and home-recording applications—it is not rated for live performance, high-SPL percussion reinforcement, or touring environments.
What frequency range does it cover, and what genres work best?
The frequency response spans 50 Hz to 16 kHz, capturing both low-end warmth and high-frequency detail. It excels on jazz, folk, classical, and contemporary acoustic recordings where authenticity and consistent, uncolored performance define the session.
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