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AKG D330BT Vocal Mics - Matched set of 4 - $365 (West Allis, WI)
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These were recommended to me by an expert audio person when I created my band. At the time, MANY of the top vocalists on TV were using this mic.
These are NOT rare because nobody bought, owned and used them. They are rare because nobody is selling the ones they have.
Over the years, these have performed flawlessly and were used by some of the very top vocalists in our region.
Today, they look and perform exactly as they did the day I purchased them.
Here is what Chat GPT had to say about them:
Here’s what I found on the vintage AKG D 330 BT “ABBA mic” — a unique dynamic vocal microphone introduced in the late 1970s:
🎤 Overview & History
Introduced around 1978 as AKG’s high-end stage vocal mic, aimed to challenge the Shure SM58
Famously associated with ABBA and occasionally dubbed the “ABBA mic”
vintagemicworld.com
Only serially produced until around 1992; now discontinued and considered a vintage item
vintagemicworld.com
🔧 Design & Build
Hypercardioid polar pattern provides tight side and rear rejection — great for high gain situations
Constructed from zinc‑alloy housing with a very robust internal design; rated to withstand over 1,200 drops during testing
vintagemicworld.com
Features dual moving‑coil transducers — one for audio and a second accelerometer‑style sensor to cancel handling noise by up to ~30 dB at 100 Hz
🎛️ EQ Switches
There are two 3‑position switches producing nine tonal combinations:
Bass roll-off (0, –15 dB, –25 dB at 100 Hz)
Presence boost (0, +2 dB, +4 dB at 4 kHz)
🎚️ Specs
Frequency response: ~50 Hz–20 kHz
Micpedia
Loc.gov
reverb.com
Sensitivity: ~1.2 mV/Pa (approx. –58 dBV)
Impedance: ~370 Ω (nominally rated 200–270 Ω per older listings)
Max SPL: ~128 dB with <1% THD
Weight about 310 g; length roughly 185 mm (7.3 in) with 53 mm head diameter
🧪 Sound & Use Cases
Vocals
Bright, forward sonic character; presence boost helps vocals cut through live mixes
Seen by some users as cleaner and more articulate than the ubiquitous SM58, especially with the right switch settings
Instruments & Drums
Some users report success miking snares, hi-hats, guitar cabs, and backing vocals
Gearspace
Outstanding mechanical isolation — excellent handling noise rejection due to its dual-transducer system
muzines.co.uk
Downsides
Lower sensitivity compared to newer dynamics (e.g. Beta 58 or N/D767A), meaning sound might be quieter and require more gain
Relatively experienced users praise its sturdiness but note it's uncommon and only available used/vintage.
✅ Pros & Cons
Pros:
Hypercardioid design excels in feedback‑prone live settings
Versatile tonal controls via switches
Exceptional durability and low handling noise
Retro appeal (visually and historically)
Cons:
Discontinued and only found used
Less sensitive than modern contemporary mics
No current spare parts/resale support
💡 Tips for Use
For vocals, try a flat bass & small presence boost setting for a clear, intelligible voice with warmth intact (you can dial out proximity effect if needed)
Consider it for live drum overheads or snare due to its rejection and punchy character.
Great choice where isolation and ruggedness are priorities (e.g. live stages with lots of movement).
📊 Quick Specs Summary
Feature Specification
Polar pattern Hypercardioid
Frequency response 50 Hz – 20 kHz
Switchable EQ Bass cut (0/–15/–25 dB @ 100 Hz), Presence (+0/+2/+4 dB @ 4 kHz)
Sensitivity 1.2 mV/Pa (–58 dBV)
Impedance ~370 Ω (nominal)
Max SPL ~128 dB
Weight ~310 g (7.3 oz)
Build Zinc‑alloy housing, rugged shock‑isolated capsule
Production period ca. 1978 – 1992 (vintage/discontinued)
🧐 In Summary
The AKG D 330 BT is a robust, retro-styled hypercardioid dynamic mic with tonal flexibility and very low handling noise. It doesn’t compete with modern high‑output microphones in sensitivity, but it offers a distinctive bright, articulate voice and remarkable durability. If you can find one in good condition, it’s an interesting pick for vintage gear aficionados, live vocalists, or sound engineers seeking a rugged alternative to the typical SM‑58‑style microphones.
Let me know if you'd like tips comparing this to modern alternatives, or help adapting it to mic your setup or use case!
$365 for ALL 4. (cash only)
West Allis - pickup only