AKG ARA Professional Dual-Pattern USB Condenser Microphone

AKG ARA Professional Dual-Pattern USB Condenser Microphone

For those who want a high-quality experience out of their USB microphone, the AKG ARA offers professional-resolution audio, powerful versatility, and superb simplicity, all while providing a stylish on-screen appearance. Whether you're creating online content, podcasting, vlogging, live-streaming, producing music, or fashioning ASMR content, the ARA can come in handy.

The ARA fulfills the needs of those looking for both a studio-quality sound and an effortless setup that avoids mixers, preamps, audio interfaces, and things of that ilk. As such, the mic offers 24-bit / 96 kHz conversion, a built-in shock mount, and internal diffusion to yield pristine sonic quality for your recordings. Take advantage of the integrated desktop stand to place the ARA on a table, or remove the stand and mount the mic to your own mic-mounting system.

Versatile Applications

Whether you're recording a podcast interview, a YouTube video voice-over, or your next Spotify single, ARA helps you to record pristine audio. The ARA can handle anything from traditional voice/instrument recording to vlogging, live streaming, field recording, stereo ASMR, and web conferencing.

Plug-and-Play Universal Compatibility

Plug-and-play setup for Mac/Windows computers and iOS/Android devices ensures easy operation; no assembly and no messing with software settings. Simply connect the ARA to your device with the supplied cable, a separately available Apple Camera Connection Kit (for Lightning devices), or an optional OTG adapter cable to use it with popular audio and video production software, live streaming, and conferencing applications.

Headphone Monitoring with Zero Latency

When you're speaking, singing, or playing an instrument in the studio, you need to hear yourself and your backing tracks at the same time in order to perform your best. That's why ARA is equipped with a "zero-latency" 3.5mm headphone jack to eliminate the short delay between when you perform into the microphone and when you hear yourself in the headphones, so you can stay focused on your performance.

Two-Capsule Array

The ARA's capsule array utilizes two condenser capsules to offer two user-friendly capture modes (polar patterns)—front, and front and back—to accommodate a variety of performances and applications.

• Front: Isolates the target source from distracting background noise by rejecting unwanted sounds at the microphone's back and sides. This is ideal for spoken word, vocals, and close-miked instruments. If you're familiar with the term "cardioid" then you are familiar with the
• Front mode; they are the same thing. Front and Back: Captures and blends together sound equally on all sides—ideal for face-to-face interviews and duets. If you're familiar with the terms "Omni" or "omnidirectional" then you are familiar with this mode as well; they are different terms describing the same polar pattern.

Professional Studio Audio Quality

The ARA's advanced circuitry delivers acoustically transparent, 24-bit / 96 kHz audio resolution to meet the standards of studio-quality projects.

Styled with Vintage Appeal

Inspired by classic studio microphones like the legendary AKG C414, ARA's sleek design is sure to spark your creativity. Every function you need—capture modes, mic gain, headphone volume, and mute—is ergonomically positioned and easily accessed right on the mic so you can stay in the moment while always being in control. An integrated, removable desktop stand makes it easy to position the mic on your desktop. The ARA can also be mounted to a traditional mic stand or microphone boom arm for more flexibility in the studio.

Powerful Bundled Software

The ARA works seamlessly with all major audio and video production software and online platforms, and it includes Ableton Live Lite recording software, so you can create content right away.

Microphone

Primary Applications Studio Recording, Podcast, Web-Streaming, Audio for Video, Conferencing

Form Factor Stand/Boom Mount

Intended Sound Sources Vocals, Acoustic Guitar

Sound Field Mono

Capsule 2 x Electret Condenser

Polar Pattern Cardioid, Omnidirectional

Pattern Selection Switched (Adjustable on Mic)

Orientation Side Address

Circuitry Solid-State

Pad None

High-Pass Filter None

Tone Adjustment None

Gain Adjustment Yes

Indicators Single LED (Status)

On-Board Controls Gain/Sensitivity, Headphone Volume, Mic Mute, Polar Pattern

Windscreen None

Performance

Frequency Range 20 Hz to 20 kHz

Maximum SPL 120 dB SPL (.5% THD)

Signal-to-Noise Ratio 91 dB

THD 0.5%

Connectivity

Output Connectors (Analog) None

Output Connectors (Digital) 1 x USB Type-C

Headphone Connector 1 x 1/8" / 3.5 mm

Cable Length 6.6' / 2.01 m

Wireless Connectivity None

Bluetooth None

Digital Audio

A/D Conversion 24-Bit

Sample Rate 96 kHz

Operating System Support Android, Windows, iOS, macOS/OS X

OS Compatibility Android Windows iOS macOS *As of August, 2021: Check with manufacturer for the most up-to-date compatibility

Available Port USB 2.0

Power

Bus Power USB

Operating Voltage 5 V

Operating Current Consumption 75 mA

Physical

Colour Silver

Mounting Mic Clip/Stand Adapter (with Included Hardware) Desktop Stand (Included)

Mounting Thread Size 5/8"-27 Female

Included Case None

Included Filters None