AKG D5 and C5 Dynamic Condenser Microphone News: Renowned songwriter and Kinks front man Ray Davies has just finished performing a series of solo concerts, singing a selection of his greatest hits to sell-out crowds. Ray’s distinctive voice is an essential part of his appeal and so the microphone he uses on stage is of the utmost importance. Microphone manufacturer AKG have been very pleased to discover that Ray is one of the first big artists to make use of the company’s new D5 dynamic and C5 condenser live microphones.
“Harman UK sent us a C5 and a D5 just recently when they were launched here in the UK,” comments Ray’s live sound engineer Tristan Mallett. “We asked Ray to try them and he’s been using the C5 on stage ever since.” Mallett is no stranger to AKG products. “I use AKG C414s on all the live guitars and for the drum overheads on stage, because they handle high levels of volume without any distortion and have a great, transparent sound. I also use AKG C535s for backing vocals and a C416 miniature mic on the accordion. The new C5 and D5 have been great, giving us a quality sound in the monitors and front-of-house even at very high sound pressure levels.”
Davies’ monitor engineer Chris Wibblerley was particularly impressed by the new condenser mic. “with the feedback rejection of an SM58 and the clarity of a Neumann I was surprised, because AKG haven’t been well known for live vocal mics lately, but I would be very happy to use it with any artist. It raised the standard of the whole show!”