2007 is the 60th anniversary of the foundation of Austrian microphone manufacturers AKG, and their British distributor Harman Pro UK will be showing several of the company's new products on Stand 462 at Sounds Expo 2007 to celebrate. AKG's smart new ‘industrial' anniversary colour scheme of silver and grey will also be much in evidence.

Perhaps the best commemoration of AKG's heritage on display will be the limited anniversary edition of the C414 large-diaphragm recording mic, one of AKG's all-time classics. Only 2007 of these mics are being made worldwide, and only during this year. Featuring the classic nickel-and-brass finish seen on C414s marketed in the 1970s, combined with the advanced electronics of the C414-B XLS, the most recent revision of the design, this is a fitting celebration of AKG's design expertise. The limited edition C414 offers users five switchable polar patterns, has two status LEDs and features the mic's usual transformerless output for distortion-free low-frequency reproduction. It's supplied in a custom-made case with a pop shield, luxury spider suspension, and a certificate of ownership.

Two of AKG's biggest launches this year are the D5 and C5 vocal microphones. At £99.99 including VAT, the supercardioid D5 is an affordable, hard-wearing handheld dynamic mic (also available as the D5S with an on/off switch), while the C5 (£189.99 including VAT) is a rugged cardioid condenser mic. Both mics, with their robust sprung-steel wire mesh caps, are designed for recording or stage use, and use some of AKG's most recently developed microphone technology, including a laminate diaphragm in the D5 and a 24-carat gold-sputtered capsule housing in the C5 as a protection against humidity and moisture build-up. Both mics have a built-in shock absorber system to reduce handling noise in a live situation, and are supplied with a stand adaptor and soft zip-lock case. The C5 package also includes a PB1000 presence boost adaptor, which improves vocal intelligibility by enhancing mid- to high-end frequencies. Both mics are due to ship in a few weeks.

Also on show will be the new MicroMic range of miniature gooseneck instrument and vocal microphones. AKG did some pioneering work in the field of miniature mics with the original MicroMic series in the late 1980s, and have continued to refine their designs every few years. The new mics take advantage of recent technological and design improvements, including elastic suspensions, optional wireless adaptor plates for the instrument mics in the range, and adjustable headbands and left/right‑swappable boom arms for the headset microphones.

The new range comprises the following cardioid mics:

• the C516, for miking accordions and also instrument amplifiers, for example guitar, organ, and piano amps. The mic is supplied with a variety of mounting accessories,including a plate allowing it to be attached to a flat surface on an instrument.

• the C518, for miking drums and percussion, which is supplied with a fixing clamp.

• the C519, for miking wind and brass instruments, which also includes a clamp.

• the C520, a high-quality vocal condenser headset mic for lead and backing vocalists.

• and the C555, a hands-free speech headset mic aimed (for example) conference audio applications or dance/aerobics instructors.

The C516, C518 and C519 are now shipping, while the C520 and C555 will be available in a few weeks. The mics retail from £89.99 for the C555, the most affordable, to £179.99 for the C518 and C519 when fitted with optional wireless adaptor plates. Prices include VAT.