Accomplished saxophone player Marcus Anderson, who’s worked with Prince’s band, the New Power Generation, for almost two years and also released his fifth solo album, Style Meets Substance, utilizes a Harman’s AKG C519 miniature condenser microphone in the studio and on stage.
“This new album in unique because I didn’t set out to make a typical album—I kind of just created whatever music I felt like,” Anderson says of Style Meets Substance. “There’s some rock, some Bollywood, some jazz and some old-school hip-hop. It’s creative, adventurous and I hope it takes the listener on a musical journey, through these different musical genres and eras.”
More than two years ago, Anderson began his tenure with the New Power Generation. “I started playing live with Prince and then later began working with him in the studio, recording and creating songs from scratch,” he notes. “It’s been cool to work with him in a studio setting. He knows when to jump in and offer feedback and when to pull back and let you be creative. He’s very respectful to his musicians and that’s the beauty of working with him. At the same time, I learn something new from him every day. I feel like I’m in grad school.”
For several years, Anderson has relied on the AKG C519 for use with his saxophone, clipped onto the bell of the instrument. “The C519 has been a tremendous tool for me when recording and performing live, whether it’s at a club with my own band, or in an arena with Prince,” Anderson explains. “It reproduces my playing with clarity and purity. I’ve been a fan of AKG microphones for a long time and the C519 lives up to the standard of quality that AKG has set for all its products.”
The C519’s tight cardioid polar pattern makes it a good tool for use near monitor wedges, while its flat frequency response delivers a natural, powerful and clear sound.
Anderson also uses an AKG WMS4500 wireless microphone system for live performances and rehearsals. “I love the WMS4500—it’s crisp, clean and clear. It just punches for me and gives me that clarity I need. I can trim back the high end if I want and pump up the low/mid when I need to.”
