AKG C 420 is a compact cardioid condenser microphone intended for stage and studio use. It operates on phantom power via a standard XLR connection and features a rugged metal housing with a protective grille. The capsule delivers low self-noise and a wide, smooth frequency response, with a focused on-axis pickup and predictable off-axis rejection. Suitable for vocals, acoustic instruments, and overhead miking in small to mid-size setups.