AKG C12VR vs Manley Gold Reference vs AKG C414 TLII (David Royer Mod) Microphone Shootout

In The Studio with Asaf Fulks at The OC Recording Company
AKG C12VR vs Manley Gold Reference vs AKG C414 TLII (David Royer Mod) Microphone Shootout
4:45 - AKG TLII (Royer Mod) - Raw
5:57 - AKG C12 VR (Royer Mod) - Raw
7:09 - Manley Gold Reference Mic - Raw
8:21 - AKG TLII (Royer Mod) - Mix
9:41 - AKG C12 VR (Royer Mod) - Raw
11:01 - Manley Gold Reference Mic - Raw
Asaf Fulks - Green Roses [Music Video]: • Asaf Fulks - Green Roses
This video compares the AKG C12VR, Manley Labs Gold Reference and AKG C414 TL II (Royer Mod) microphones. These are all world class mics in the C12 family. The C 12 VR and C 414 were specially modified by David Royer at Mojave Audio. Asaf Fulks discusses the mics and shoots them out by re-recording vocal parts for his single Green Roses. Leave a comment with your pick to move on to the next round of shootouts against the Sony C800-G. If you'd like to use one of these mics on your next project contact us to schedule a recording session. Enjoy, let's get it!
#c12vr #c414 #manleygold #ocrecording #asaffulks #inthestudio #microphone #audioengineering #studiolife #AKG #manleylabs
© 2022, The OC Recording Company, Inc. All Rights Reserved
THE OC RECORDING COMPANY
ASCAP: Sound Vine Publishing
Web: ocrecording.com
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FB: / ocrecording
IG: / ocrecording
TW: / ocrecording
ASAF FULKS
@asaffulks
Web: asafproduction...
iTunes: apple.co/31UdZgp
Spotify: spoti.fi/3bFC1jO
AUDIO EQUIPMENT
DAW: Avid Pro Tools Ultimate HDX
Mics: AKG C 12 VR & C 414 TLII (David Royer Mod), Manley Gold Reference
Preamp: True Systems Precision 8
Converters: Lynx Hilo, Lynx Aurora (n) 16 HD
Plugins: DMG Equilibrium, Waves Tune, Fab Filter Pro-L2
VIDEO EQUIPMENT
Camera: BMPCC 6k, Canon 1DX ii
Lens: Sigma 50mm 1.4, Sigma 18-35mm 1.4
Lighting: Forza 60b, Angler 48" Soft Dome
Edit: Davinci Resolve Studio, Adobe After Effects
FX: Red Giant Universe, Red Giant Magic Bullet
AKG: www.akg.com/Mi...
MANLEY: www.manley.com...
MOJAVE AUDIO (David Royer): mojaveaudio.com/

[@unworthysaintsMUSIC]

that manley mic cuts through mix so well and it sounds buttery smooth.

[@davidroyer5049]

Thank you for posting this. . . I had all but forgotten how well the modded 414 worked. I modded that mike 20 years ago.

[@ocrecording]

Mr. Royer you are a genius and your work is phenomenal. Thank you!

[@matthewfact]

Mr Royer, are you still modding mics?

[@ocrecording]

@@matthewfact not sure how active Mr. Royer is on here. Best to contact Mojave Audio to see what is possible mojaveaudio.com/

[@davidroyer5049]

@@matthewfact I do a mod here and a mod there, but if you can find a tech to do the work, I will work with him.

[@doctorxyss]

@@davidroyer5049 If I need change the C414 B TL 2 diaphragm for a generic one made in China, do you think it will sound good as used to be in 1997?😁👍thanks for your time!

[@chcastro3466]

Akg c12vr I love I Loved , is perfect❤️❤️❤️

[@jasonalemon5874]

oooh that akg c12vr sounds nice!

[@drakewatkins2624]

I love the warm lows on the c12vr but the Manley gold was the most open and over all clear sounding

[@claudioagmfilho]

🇧🇷🇧🇷🇧🇷🇧🇷👏🏻, AKG is the best mic! The AKG C414 LTD is truly an amazing microphone, offering exceptional clarity and versatility. I've compared it to my TLM 103, and the C414 LTD stands out as the superior choice. The audio quality is remarkable, capturing every nuance with precision. Whether in the studio or for live recordings, the AKG C414 LTD consistently delivers outstanding performance.

[@ryanlaperlemusic]

Amazing I just got my c12vr back from the shop picked up a telefunken 6072a tube I might try in it compared to the ge. Love all those mics probably why I have all three. 🙌🏽👏🏼

[@ocrecording]

Yessir. Interested to hear how the sound changes. Royer also recommends 12AY7 tubes

[@ryanlaperlemusic]

@@ocrecording yah man love you just posted this video all the mics I have and love. I added the Telefunken tube it’s lower in noise and brightens the mic a tad not a ton but if you want the classic harmonics of a c12 vr the ge is still the way to go. But I like by swapping tubes I can have options but either way c12 is my favorite then the Manley for a brighter sound.

[@ocrecording]

@@ryanlaperlemusic thank you for sharing. Indeed, all great mics!

[@mixedbyedd]

could you send me some links to songs you've recorded with the gold & some with the c12VR?

[@heythere6983]

You think it’s better to boost the highs of a vocal? Or be in a position to cut the lows? I feel when I once tried on an old setup I boosted the highs and I couldn’t get much of a difference, idk if it was due to a bad plugin EQ. I can’t find a mic I love and so I’m wondering what produced a better result, boosting a darker mic to cut more or tapering off a mic that may have too much top

[@ocrecording]

Good question. Depends on the sound you're going for, but in general I start with cuts. That produces the most natural sound. Also tends to sound better if your EQ isn't top notch. That being said I do both. In regards to choosing a mic based on this, there are more factors to consider than frequency response. There are a ton of great options out there. If you're having trouble maybe try improving your acoustics or changing preamps

[@yarbgreat1]

I wish I could say that I hear a difference, but I just don't. Whatever difference I might hear is so minimal that it could be attributed to placebo. I'm listening on O.G Focal Clears.

[@MotivationalBlitzz]

Good singing buddy!

[@chandeleerjet5637]

I’m looking for a mic for mainly rap hip hop vocals and it’s between the C12vr and the Manley gold. Which would you recommend?

[@ocrecording]

Depends on the vocalist. Both great and both reminiscent of the c800G which is a hip hop staple. I'd say get the one you can get a better deal on

[@marcealmartinez1194]

That Manley different ✅✅🌶️

[@mixedbyedd]

which do you prefer for modern hip hop and pop vocals out of gold and c12? and why? great video, thanks

[@ocrecording]

Glad you enjoyed. The Gold is more reminiscent of the C800g which is a modern hip-hop staple. So, I'd say the gold but depends on the performer. I really dig the bottom end of the VR

[@mixedbyedd]

@@ocrecording what's up man! thanks for reporting back. i ended up grabbing the c12VR - tbh it sounds bad ass. seems to have a compression to the sound that's heard in more expensive mics - scooped in the mids a bit but the top end is nice. i have stock. do you recommend it being modded?

[@ocrecording]

@@mixedbyedd congrats! You made a solid choice. You'll be fine without the mod, but if you got the extra money and time to wait for it, I recommend the mod. Makes the mic slightly warmer and richer sounding. Note you'll need to give up the built in hpf. Contact David Royer at Mojave Audio if you decide to get it going

[@stfesteirasstfesteiras7377]

Can you tell me if this microphone is manufactured only in one place or does it have several places that manufacture it in several factories in different places in different countries?

[@starckwest6358]

c414 so near to c12vr, this last compressed by lamp. Manley seems to be filtered.

[@gennadypugachev]

AKG C12VR-The Best Sound!!!

[@aaroneschenburg4018]

The 414 i couldnt hear the mic but i heard the performance. Meaning i felt like i heard the mic in the other two. The 414 was pretty natural sounding to me

[@ertatta]

To me, the 414 was extremely natural & intimate sounding. Definitely shared many qualities with the C12vr which shows it to be an outstanding value imo.

[@aaroneschenburg4018]

​@@ertattayeah the body of the c12 is nice but the top sits different. Almost muffled ever so slightly. The Manley sounds so full! I recently modded my tlm67 with an inner tube mode and really love it. It's so much louder, deeper, and has the air. Shot it out to a few other really expensive mics, Royer122v, and micro tech gaffel um900, the inner tube modded tlm67 was hands down the winner for almost every choice.

[@cristopherjohansson1323]

Why is the C12 VR so hated in the audio community? It doesn't sound like a vintage C12, from memory it doesn't have that airy sheen but still. In this test it sounded most balanced and smoothest, just listen to those S's.

[@ocrecording]

It's a wonderful mic especially with the Royer mod

[@ulisesseineldin8720]

Great video! Manley sounds really good on you, would be super interested in hearing a Manley Gold vs Sony 800 video. Cheers!

[@ocrecording]

Thank you sir! Planning to do that video as well

[@royerlabs]

Great vid 🤘

[@ocrecording]

Thank you Mr. Royer....great Mods!

[@harveynkosi6356]

I don't think I'll ever own a mic thats not designed by David, Mojave for liiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiife!!!!

[@ocrecording]

He's the man!

[@mistermusicenterprise3148]

I am a fan too of Mojave mics. Love my MA200

[@ertatta]

I assume he’s the man behind Royer ribbon mics as well?

[@drakewatkins2624]

That 414 sounds identical to the cv12 🔥 didn’t need to go thru the hassle of modding it with a tube though just run it through a tube pre same thing right 🤷‍♂️

[@ocrecording]

No sir. It may help provide warmth, but a pre just boosts what comes out the mic. This mod actually changes what comes out of the mic

[@randomchannel323]

I like the modded 414 sound the most

[@ocrecording]

💪💪

[@CraftyGoblingo]

Why you lying 😂

[@WHOSOEVERSOUTH]

🔥

[@ocrecording]

🙏🏼

[@AlexRivasLessons]

🔥🔥🔥🔥

[@ocrecording]

💪💪

[@devinsider305]

why you didn't include tlm103 to the comparison ? It is a competitor for the c414 as I know

[@ocrecording]

These are all tube mics. Tlm is not

[@RIYAZ-nq1lo]

YOUR HEAD PHONE NAME ?? PLEASS🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏

[@soundsauce3281]

Hey! What is that slick metal pop filter called?

[@ocrecording]

It's called "The Pop" by Blue...but seems to be unavailable at the moment. Maybe knock offs are available somewhere

[@samire2151]

Hello ! Excellent video. Exactly what I've been looking for. Love the c12 and the manley. Did you ever tested the Townsend labs Sphere l22 ? What you think about it ? Does it deserves some attention?

[@ocrecording]

No sir, never tried it. Thank you, glad you liked the video

[@jamescassidy4045]

Does the 414 just have the stock capsule, or do you know if David replaced it?

[@ocrecording]

Believe it's stock capsule. He added a tube and modified the internal electronics. Runs off a psu not 48v

[@jamescassidy4045]

@@ocrecording Nice! I’m actually trying to get a hold of David. I emailed Mojave but haven’t heard back. I have a pair and I’d like to try get the mod. Any idea where a better place to get ahold of him may be?

[@ocrecording]

@@jamescassidy4045 I'd try to give them a call. I purchased this mic off a local shop that was going out of business. David did the mod way back. May be the only one out there. Not sure if he's still doing the 414 mod, but worth a shot

[@jamescassidy4045]

@@ocrecording Ya no doubt. It’s a long shot lol. But that’s really cool you have it. I’m a little jelly lol!

[@jamescassidy4045]

@@ocrecording Thank you brother!

[@RIYAZ-nq1lo]

WHAT IS YOUR HEAD PHONE NAME ??? 😊🙏🙏🙏🙏

[@ocrecording]

Neumann

[@jer7255]

How can I get that c414 mod

[@ocrecording]

Contact Mojave Audio/David Royer

[@chcastro3466]

Name of Music?

[@ocrecording]

Asaf Fulks - Green Roses

[@tonyadams6985]

I’m listening to this on my iPhone , which I tend to do for a lot of KZbin, but I must say it was so sibilant it was hard to get through. Your presentation at the beginning was too. Man, those esses were spearing me.

[@kristianalexanderpedersen7382]

maybe get a new phone

[@tonyadams6985]

@@kristianalexanderpedersen7382 comparatively speaking, my phone usually doesn’t sound sibilant. I certainly would not buy a new phone to simply listen to one video LOL.

[@solarpunk92]

the sound comes out of my stupid head phones so i don"t hear a difference.

[@MinisterTravis]

I like the manley!!!!!!! shoot out with the 800g

[@ocrecording]

Yessir, I gotchu

[@UndetectableBomber]

im feelin the manley gold the most

[@malthejohansen4433]

bro you are way too close to the mics

[@ocrecording]

The camera angle may make them look closer than they were. In general I like the sound of proximity, but was careful not to be too close so the sound could be even distributed to all three mics

[@jer7255]

@@ocrecordingI love proximity effect to! Sounds fuller and warmer

[@SDA-Sound]

Are the mods available to anyone or are we just watching mic porn?

[@ocrecording]

Contact David Royer at Mojave Audio

[@LogicKeyz]

Manley...

[@stfesteirasstfesteiras7377]

Can you tell me if this microphone is manufactured only in one place or does it have several places that manufacture it in several factories in different places in different countries?

[@ocrecording]

Not sure...it's my understanding they are made in Austria