AKG D 88 S DYNAMIC MICROPHONE

AKG D 88 S DYNAMIC MICROPHONE

There is no shortage of entry level microphones to choose from. However, most of these entry level microphones will end up being a disappointment to you as you become more proficient at using them, as well as making recordings with them. A good entry level microphone that is less likely to test your frustration tolerance over time is the AKG D 88 S Dynamic Microphone. It sounds better and is more durably built than many microphones that are in a comparable price range, and it has a trusted name brand to back it up. Speaking of price, the AKG D 88 S Dynamic Microphone retails for $109.00, but it can be had from most reputable Internet dealers and national musical instrument chain stores for as little as $49.99.

The AKG D 88 S is a dynamic microphone. That means that it does not require an external power source such as a condenser microphone. I once knew of a novice recording enthusiast (the name will be withheld to protect the name of my innocent young nephew) who purchased an inexpensive condenser microphone, and they complained profusely that it was “a defective piece of garbage” because it did not yield any appreciable sound. I gently explained to them that a condenser microphone requires an external power source of some type in order to operate correctly, such as a phantom power supply from a mixer. They did not have a mixer that supplied phantom power, but fortunately their microphone also was able to operate with power supplied from an AA battery. Once that was inserted into the microphone, they were amazed at the sound quality. In defense of my young nephew, no one is born with knowledge of microphones, but he was however gifted by God at birth with an amazing degree of musical talent.

The AKG D 88 S is a dynamic microphone, and as such, it does not require an external power source in order to operate efficiently. In the case of a dynamic microphone, when sound waves strike the diaphragm of the microphone, the voice coil that is attached to the back of the diaphragm vibrates with the diaphragm, and these vibrations generate an electrical signal by virtue of the fact that these vibrations occur in the presence of a magnetic field, which is itself a by product of a small permanent magnet located inside of the microphone. This small electrical current carries all of the sonic information regarding the sound source that generated the sound vibrations in the first place. But enough technical information, lets get back to my review of the AKG D 88 S Dynamic Vocal Microphone.

The AKG D 88 S is designed for vocals. It has a “supercardioid polar pattern,” which means that it is designed to be most sensitive to picking up sounds that are emanating from immediately directly in front of the microphone, and it is less sensitive to sounds that are coming from the sides or the back of the microphone. This makes the AKG D 88 S a microphone that is ideal for live situations, as it is designed to pick up the sound coming from the lead vocalist, and it will not be as likely to pickup sounds coming at the sides or back of the microphone. A potential drawback with a microphone with a supercardioid polar pattern is that the singer must be close to the microphone and must not be off axis, or else their vocals will not be picked up correctly and accurately. In this regard, a microphone with a cardioid polar pattern is more forgiving.

A very nice feature of the AKG D 88 S is that it has a built-in On/Off switch, which is certain to come in handy to cut down on feedback if the P.A. is inadvertently left on between sets, or when moving the microphone from one spot to another on stage. Given that this is an entry level vocal microphone, this is a very good feature to have in live performance situations, especially given that a singer using an entry level microphone is probably not as experienced with microphone vocal techniques and placement, and the band probably can not afford a sound engineer to run their P.A. board, that is if they have one. As such, there is more likelihood that one may encounter feedback, and thus a built in On/Off Switch is a real plus in those circumstances. The AKG D 88 S also comes equipped with a 16 foot quarter inch cable and a stand adapter.

The frequency response of the AKG D 88 S is unusually broad for a microphone in this price range, and it ranges from 40Hz. to 20,000Hz. This is just short of a top of the line professional microphone with a frequency range of 20Hz. to 20,000Hz. Of course, this does not mean that the AKG D 88 S is in the same league as a $1,000 professional microphone, as it is no where near as sensitive or as accurate in it reproduction of the highs and lows as are more expensive microphones, and further its frequency response is tailored for vocals.

The AKG D 88 S is also a microphone that is sturdy and ruggedly built. That is something that is very important for an entry level microphone, as the people who are using an entry level microphone are not as likely to treat their equipment delicately. The internal workings of the microphone are housed in a die-cast metal outer body, and the front of the microphone is protected by a strong wire mesh grill. The AKG D 88 S is also a relatively light microphone and it weighs in at about .57 pounds. It is also ergonomically designed, and it feels comfortable to hold in ones hand.

The bottom line is this, the AKG D 88 S is a very good entry level vocal microphone that offers a lot of value for the inexpensive price tag that it has. Although it is a good microphone, I would not advise its use in any serious recording situations, as it is lacking in the warmth and sensitivity that are required for making good vocal recordings or for professional use. It is what it is, namely a good entry level vocal microphone.

I would like to thank you very much for taking the time to read my review. But now if you will please excuse me, I must get back to my practicing.