The AKG P220 has a relatively flat frequency response curve and an overall warm sound. Bass is definitely rich and responsive, though probably not the cleanest. It seems like it lacks mids and instead exaggerates the bass a bit, especially when trying to pick up voices at close range. Perhaps it’s a bit too sensitive for voices, but give it some distance and it suddenly shines and produces a much better, studio-quality sound, which is hard to believe given its retail price.
The AKG P220’s diaphragm size is a solid 1 inches in diameter, and it actually has significant off-axis coloration, much more so than other similar LDCs. That’s why, even though it’s usually flat on axis, it doesn’t really sound that way when you’re desperately trying to record vocals up close, because that technique requires you to be off axis. With some distance, however, you can move a little more toward the axis without sounding either dark or harsh. For instruments, however, this is not such a big problem. ..
The microphone has two controls, a low-cut filter that cuts 300 Hz, and a -20 dB pad. The cut can be used for instruments that are above this frequency range. The attenuation could perhaps be used for close miking of a cymbal…. But otherwise, I don’t find it particularly useful. For vocals, the low-cut would cut the juice from the pad, making them completely inaudible. That’s not a bad thing, though, since they’re just a bonus. The good thing is that the mic comes in a sturdy case with a spider mount, which is surprising to me considering how cheap it already is
The AKG P220 is a good and affordable entry-level microphone for vocals that can later be used for instruments as well. It is sturdy, stylish, and can pick up a variety of sounds well.
