AKG Pro Audio P220 Vocal Condenser Microphone
About AKG
AKG (Akustische und Kino-Geräte Gesellschaft m.b.H.) is a renowned Austrian manufacturer of microphones, headphones, wireless audio systems, and related audio equipment. The company was founded in 1947 by Dr. Rudolf Görike and Ernst Pless, and it has since become a respected name in the audio industry.
AKG is well-known for its high-quality professional audio products used in various applications, including studio recording, live sound, broadcasting, and consumer listening. The company has a rich history of innovation and has contributed significantly to the development of audio technology.
1) Safety and the environment
Risk of damage
Please make sure that the piece of equipment your microphone will be connected to fulfills the safety regulations in force in your country and is fitted with a ground lead.
- At the end of the lifetime of the product, disconnect the housing, electronics, and cable from each other and discard all components according to applicable disposal regulations.
- The packaging is recyclable. Dispose of the packaging via an appropriate collection system provided for this purpose.
2) Description
Introduction
Thank you for your decision to buy an AKG product. Please read the user instructions carefully before using the unit and keep them in a safe place so that you can refer to them in the future at any time. We wish you a lot of fun and success!
Contents
P120
- Microphone
- Stand adapter
P220
- Microphone
- Spider shock mount
- Carrying case
Check that the packaging contains all of the items listed for your system. If anything is missing, please contact your AKG dealer.
Optional Accessories
- PF80 pop filter
- ST305 table stand
- W4000 external windscreen
Short description
The P120 and P220 are heavy-duty, rugged condenser microphones built to the same strict quality standards as all other AKG products. The P120 uses a 2/3″ back electret diaphragm, while the P220 is a true condenser microphone with a 1″ large diaphragm. Designed on the basis of AKG’s decades of know-how and feedback from sound engineers around the world using AKG studio microphones every day, these general-purpose microphones bring AKG studio quality to the worlds of recording, live sound, and broadcasting.
Features
The P120 and P220 share the following features:
- Cardioid polar pattern
The microphone is most sensitive to sounds arriving from in front of it while picking up much less of sounds arriving from the sides or rear (from monitor speakers or neighboring instruments). This makes the microphone equally suited for recording and onstage use. - Gold-sputtered diaphragm
The diaphragm is made of a plastic foil that is gold-sputtered on one side only to prevent shorting to the back electrode even at extremely high sound pressure levels. - All-metal body
The all-metal body adds to the rejection of RF interference so you can use the microphone near transmitter stations and along with wireless microphones or other communications equipment. The extremely rugged, heavy body and sturdy front grill protect the microphone from damage from tough handling on stage. - High headroom, minimum distortion
Capable of handling sound pressure levels up to 150 dB (P120) or 155 dB (P220) without introducing perceptible distortion and built to resist high temperatures and humidity, the microphone will give excellent results in a wide range of applications. - Bass cut filter
Selector 1 on the microphone front further reduces low-end distortion caused by footfall or wind noise, etc. The filter also minimizes the proximity effect that close-in miking from less than 4 inches causes in any unidirectional microphone. The filter rolls off at 6 dB/octave (P120) or at 12 dB/octave (P220) from 300 Hz downward.
- Switchable pre-attenuation pad
Selector 2 on the microphone front lets you increase the headroom by 20 dB for distortion-free close-in recording. The pre-attenuation pad prevents the microphone’s output level, particularly at low frequencies, from overloading the miniature transformers used in many mixer input stages, etc.
3)Connecting to Audio Equipment
General
The microphone uses a condenser transducer designed for 48-volt phantom powering to IEC 61938 and needs an external power supply.
Pinout
The microphone provides a balanced output on a 3-pin male XLR connector:
- Pin 1: ground
- Pin 2: hot
- Pin 3: cold
Connecting the Microphone
- Use an XLR cable to connect the microphone to a balanced XLR input with phantom power.
- Switch the phantom power on. (Refer to the user manual of the unit to which you connected your microphone.)
4) Operation
The P120 and P220 are general-purpose cardioid microphones for recording, broadcast, and onstage use. Every instrument radiates its sound in a specific way. Therefore, to get the best sound it is crucial to experiment with microphone placement.
Operating instructions
The following hints apply to both the P120 and the P220.
- The front of the microphone is the side of the body with the AKG logo on it. Therefore, always aim the logo at the sound source you are going to record! Being a unidirectional (cardioid) microphone, the P120/P220 will pick up very little sound from the rear.
- When recording wind instruments or vocals, make sure not to blow or sing directly into the microphone.
- Keep the microphone dry. Moisture from blowing or singing directly at the capsule from a short distance, or extremely high humidity may cause the microphone to start crackling or go very quiet due to partial short circuits in the polarization voltage.
- If you use the microphone in the open air, use an optional AKG W4000 windscreen to protect the microphone from moisture and reduce wind noise.
- High-volume instruments You can use this microphone for close-in recording of very loud instruments (brass instruments, kick drum, etc.). Just switch the pre-attenuation pad in to increase the microphone’s capability of handling sound pressure levels up to 150 dB (P120) or 155 dB (P220).
- Low-frequency noise To suppress low-frequency noise such as air conditioning rumble, footfall noise, or traffic sounds, switch the bass cut filter in.
5) Cleaning
Microphone
- Use a soft cloth moistened with water to clean the surface of the microphone body.
6) Troubleshooting
7) Technical data
P120
- Type: 2/3″ back electret condenser pressure-gradient microphone
- Polar pattern: cardioid
- Sensitivity: 24 mV/Pa (-32.5 DVB)
- Frequency response: 20 Hz to 20 kHz (see frequency response trace)
- Electrical impedance: ≤ 200 ohms
- Recommended load impedance: ≥ 1000 ohms
- Equivalent noise level to IEC 60268-4: 19 dB(A)
- Signal to noise: 75 dB(A) re 1 Pa
- Max. SPL for 0.5% THD: 130 / 150 dB SPL (0 / -20 dB)
- Temperature range: -10 °C to +60 °C (14 °F – 140 °F)
- Phantom powering: 48 V ±4 V to IEC 61938
- Current consumption: ≤ 3 mA
- Connector: 3-pin XLR (pin 2 hot)
- Diameter: 54 mm (2.13 in.)
- Length: 165 mm (6.5 in.)
- Net weight: 455 g (16 oz.)
- Bass cut pad: 300 Hz, 6 dB/octave
- Preattenuation pad: -20 dB
Frequency Response
Polar Diagram
P220
- Type: 1″ large-diaphragm, true condenser pressure-gradient microphone
- Polar pattern: cardioid
- Sensitivity: 20 mV/Pa (-34 DVB)
- Frequency response: 20 Hz to 20 kHz (see frequency response trace)
- Electrical impedance: ≤ 200 ohms
- Recommended load impedance: ≥ 1000 ohms
- Equivalent noise level to IEC 60268-4: 16 dB(A)
- Signal to noise: 78 dB(A) re 1 Pa
- Max. SPL for 0.5% THD: 135 / 155 dB SPL (0 / -20 dB)
- Temperature range: -10 °C to +60 °C (14 °F – 140 °F)
- Phantom powering: 48 V ±4 V to IEC 61938
- Current consumption: ≤ 3 mA
- Connector: 3-pin XLR (pin 2 hot)
- Diameter: 54 mm (2.13 in.)
- Length: 165 mm (6.5 in.)
- Net weight: 530 g (18.7 oz.)
- Bass cut pad: 300 Hz, 12 dB/octave
- Preattenuation pad: -20 dB
Frequency Response
Polar Diagram
Declaration of Conformity
This product corresponds to the standards stated in the Declaration of Conformity. You can request the Declaration of Conformity by e-mail from sales@akg.com.
FAQs About AKG Pro Audio P220 Vocal Condenser Microphone
What are some uses for the AKG P220?
Lead vocals, acoustic guitar, and brass instruments sound warm and clear through the large-diaphragm true condenser P220 microphone. It is ideally suited for usage on loud sound sources with sound pressure levels up to 155dB SPL thanks to a switchable bass-cut filter and attenuation pad.
What is the P220 mic’s frequency response?
A large-diaphragm true condenser microphone, the P220 has a maximum SPL of 135 dB and a frequency response of 20 Hz to 20 kHz. The microphone contains a bass roll-off button that filters all frequencies below 300 Hz and a 20 dB pad that raises the SPL to 155 dB.
What is the AKG P220’s phantom power?
Phantom 48V
What is a condenser microphone’s optimum quality?
They are ideal for crystal-clear, in-depth recordings of delicate sounds like acoustic instruments or live voice performances. One of the key benefits of a condenser microphone is its sensitivity. It can record sound waves with astonishing accuracy and detail even at low volumes.
For what is AKG renowned?
AKG is well-known for its microphones and headphones and was established in Austria in 1947.
What is the AKG microphone’s frequency response?
This mic is made to function with the largest range of applications for home studios, with a frequency range of 20Hz to 20 kHz and a maximum sound pressure of 135dB.
P220: Is it a good mic?
Whether you’re recording sources in a professional studio, at home, or even trying to get amazing live sound, the AKG P220 large-diaphragm condenser microphone offers you the kind of adaptable performance and dependability you need.
What is a microphone’s entire frequency range?
The distance between a microphone’s upper and lower limiting frequencies is referred to as its frequency range. The frequency range that can be covered by modern microphones ranges from about 1 Hz to 140 kHz.
What voltage is used as condenser microphone phantom power?
48 to 12 volts
What does the term “condenser microphone” mean?
The “capacitor” within a condenser microphone transforms acoustic energy into an electrical signal; the word “condenser” is an archaic synonym for “capacitor.” A studio condenser microphone’s capacitor is made up of two metal-surfaced plates suspended very close to one another with a voltage applied across them.
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