Avantone CV-12 Multi-Pattern Large Capsule Tube Condenser Microphone

The AVANTONE “Cabernet (C-series)” mics are designed to offer true professional performance. They will meet or surpass the performance and specifications of much higher priced mics.

The AVANTONE CV-12 is truly a gorgeous looking and sounding microphone. The design, character and performance is comparable to some of the fine vintage tube mics of the 1950’s & 1960’s…but at a fraction of their cost!

Our rugged CV-12 microphone body and capsule assembly are precision machined of BRASS.

Aesthetically, it features an elegant Cabernet Wine-Red finish, accented with polished nickel trim and grill.

The transformer coupled tube circuitry has its origins in famous European vintage designs.

Any studio can proudly offer the CV-12 as a primary vocal mic…It exudes class visually as well as sonically.

Manufactured using the finest materials yielding a very solid feel, superb structural integrity and rugged reliability.

The versatile CV-12 mic is able to produce professional results with a warm, pleasing sonic character.

The included Custom Retro Shockmount is superb in allowing a precise positioning of the mic while inhibiting the transfer of unwanted vibrations up into the mic. This isolation allows for superior professional results.

• 9-Pattern Tube Microphone w/ dual 32mm gold sputtered thin Mylar capsules
• -10 dB pad & 80 Hz LF metal roll off toggle switches
• "HAND SELECTED" Russian made 6072A Tube
• Each CV-12 Mic has a serial number

Uses Include:

• Studio vocals, acoustic guitar, mandolin, drum overheads, room mic, piano…

Standard Included Items:

• AVANTONE CV-12 Tube Microphone
• AVANTONE Custom Retro Shockmount W/ Extra Elastic bands
• AVANTONE PS-12 Multi-Pattern Power supply with cables
• Elegant padded genuine wooden Mic box
• PREMIUM GRADE 6072A Tube
• Padded Aluminum storage / travel case
• Owners Manual

“I’ve tried a lot of different mics on Taylor; I had the CV-12 on loan from Ray Kennedy as a ‘try this for a while’ mic, and Taylor came to the house to do a radio edit on one of her songs from the first album. When she put on the headphones and said ‘TEST’, completely unprompted, she said, ‘This is my mic. I love this mic. I just wanna use this one from now on!' She had no idea what it was, just loved it, and I went along with something that felt right for her. We’ve been using it ever since, and it sounds great on her voice.”

NATHAN PAUL CHAPMAN Producer for Taylor Swift

 "During my career, I have used just about every microphone that is known to man. That now includes the AVANTONE CV-12 tube and CR-14 Ribbon mics. The CV-12 tube has a beautiful sound that we use here for vocals and drums and we have a pair of the CR-14’s for drums, ambient room sound, guitars, and many other instruments. They are amazing sounding microphones that belie their price. I can honestly say that these mics hold up against mics costing many times their price, while adding a little bit of their own sonic character to recordings. That “character” is what makes AVANTONE microphones a valuable asset to our mic locker and I know that they will continue to see plenty of action on a regular basis”.

Levon Helm Levon Helm Studios

"When you're producing a top country artist like Taylor Swift you can choose any microphone you want for the lead vocal, from vintage high-priced mics to the unimaginably rare that the top studios in Nashville have to offer. But I found the best sound and the most emotional microphone I could use for Taylor's lead vocal was the Avantone CV-12. I take it with me everywhere I record....Thanks for the CV-12 being County Music's best vocal mic"

Nathan Chapman PRODUCER/ENGINEER 

(Taylor Swift, Amy Stroup, Jill Johnson, Lori McKenna, Dogwood, Stephanie Chapman, etc.)

“Occasionally a piece of equipment shows up that brings real quality to the marketplace at an affordable price. Avant Electronics has done exactly that with the CV12 and CV 28 microphones. In fact, I can't remember something so good being so affordable. These mics sound terrific, are robustly built, and look great to boot. These are wonderful mics, affordable within any budget. They hold their own with my U48, C24, and other high end microphones which are twenty times more expensive!"

Tony Berg PRODUCER 

(Pete Yorn, Nickel Creek, Michael Penn, Squeeze, Edie Brickell, etc.)

I wanted to tell you how much I like the CV-12…The CV-12 stands out as one of my first 'go to' mics for vocals in my collection….a solid winner on both my female and male singers…The CV-12 has a very warm sound especially good for vocals that tend toward the shrill side. I like the very slight presence boost--not too bright like some tube condenser mics...Everything about this mic is first class….”

Barry Rudolph PRODUCER/ENGINEER 

(Rod Stewart, Hall & Oates, Pat Benatar, Lynyrd Skynyrd, The Corrs. etc)

“I am very picky about vocal mics & have been a Neumann snob for over 10 years, but now the CV-12 is all I'm using. More detail/ no honk….”

 Jon Tiven PRODUCER/SONGWRITER 

(BB King, Robert Plant, Wilson Pickett, PF Sloan, Howard Tate, etc)

“We just A/B’d our Avantone CV-12 mic against my vintage Neumann U-47, AKG C-12 & AKG C12A tube mics and found the CV-12 to have a much better presence and better bottom end with a “friendly body” to its sound without too much coloration. The CV-12 has proven to be very “mic-pre friendly” which makes my job easier so I can spend more time capturing great vocal performances.”

Chuck Alkazian PRODUCER/ENGINEER