Avantone BV-12 Multi-Pattern Tube Microphone

No longer available at zZounds
An investment in this stunning tube condenser yields rich rewards. The beautiful 9-pattern Avantone BV-12 shines on vocals, guitars, drum rooms, and more.

The Avantone "Buttercream (B-series)" mics are Avantone's premium products, designed to offer true professional performance and meet or surpass the performance and specifications of much higher-priced mics. The Avantone BV-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 1950s and 1960s...but at a fraction of their cost.

The rugged BV-12 microphone body and capsule assembly are precision machined of brass. Aesthetically, the mic features an elegant Buttercream baked on finish, accented with polished nickel trim and grill. The transformer coupled tube circuitry has its origins in famous European vintage designs. Manufactured using the finest materials yielding a very solid feel, superb structural integrity and rugged reliability. Any studio can proudly offer the BV-12 as a primary vocal mic. It exudes class visually as well as sonically. The versatile Avantone BV-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 unwanted vibrations up into the mic. This isolation allows for superior professional results. 9-Pattern Tube microphone with dual 34mm gold sputtered thin Mylar capsule assemblies. Military grade -10dB pad and 80Hz roll off switches. "Hand Selected" Russian made 6072A tube.

Uses include: Studio vocals, acoustic guitar, read more mandolin, drum overheads, piano, room mic, etc.

Features:

- Manufactured using the finest materials yielding a very solid feel, superb structural integrity and rugged reliability.
- The versatile BV-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.
- The PS-1 power supply offers access not only to the above OMNI, CARDIOID, and FIGURE-8 patterns but also 6 "in-between" settings. Most vocals will be best suited to Cardioid pattern but you may experiment to satisfy yourself. The omni-mode works well in some rooms for ambient room mic usage.
- -10 dB pad & 80 Hz LF roll off switches.

Included:
- Avantone BV-12 Tube Microphone
- Avantone Custom Retro Shockmount
- Avantone PS-1 Multi-Pattern Power Supply
- Mogami GoldStudio Pro 15' XLR Cable
- Elegant padded genuine wooden Mic box
- Handcrafted wood side, tweed travel case
- Owner's Manual
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- Type: Tube-Type True Condenser
- Capsule: Dual-sided 34mm edge-terminated gold-sputtered Mylar (6 micron)
- Polar Pattern/s: 9 Patterns selectable at PS-1 Power Supply
- Frequency Response: 20-20,000Hz +/- 3dB
- Output Impedance: <=250 Ohms / transformer isolated
- Maximum SPL : 136dB (0.5% THD @ 1000Hz) 146dB with pad engaged
- Equivalent noise level 17dB (A weighted EC651)
- S/N Ratio re 1Pa : 78dB
- Sensitivity -38dB
- Output Connector: Male XLR 7 pin with special power supply and cables
- High-Pass Switch 80 Hz 6dB/octave
- Attenuation Switch -10dB
- Included Accessories: Wood Box, Shockmount, 7-pin cable, Tweed Road Case, PS-1 Power Supply
- Power Requirement: Dedicated PS-1 Power Supply, 115/230VAC selectable
- Weight: .8kg / 1.8 lb.
- Dimensions: 237mm x 46mm (9.5" x 1.8")
- Finish: Polished Nickel trim / Buttercream Body

For support or warranty questions, please contact the manufacturer:
Phone: 845-642-3697

Reviewers gave this product an overall rating of 3.5 out of 5 stars. (1 ratings)
Submitted March 24, 2016 by Rob G in Morgan Hill, CA

"Review of Avantone BV-12"

Overall: 3.5 out of 5 stars
(see rating details)
Verified Customer zZounds has verified that this reviewer made a purchase from us.
I own several Avantone microphones - CK-28 & CK 40. I purchased the Avantone BV-12 based on my experience with the other Avantone Mics I own. The first BV-12 shipped did not work - the power supply had no power. I opened the power supply and found someone either tried to modify it - or - repair it. There was no power to the fuse at all. The 2nd BV-12 shipped power supply did not work either. I was able to repair it myself and get it working... however, the workmanship left me with the impression that someone had tried to modify this power supply as well. It felt and looked like a "DIY" kit. Once I got the 2nd power supply working, I set up the BV-12 and used it to record acoustic guitars. I replaced the stock Russian tube with an Electro Harmonix tube - big difference: fuller, rounder! I set it up using a Millennia Origin STT1 Mic preamp and recorded Taylors 326 & 714 and Santa Cruz H-13. The sound quality of the BV-12 was very complimentary. Smooth across the low mids, mids and captured the high percussive sound of the strings accurately without too much extended high frequency compared to mics in this price range. Over-all, I felt the sound was a bit "hyped"... meaning that it was a bit brighter than the actual guitars themselves. Depending on the type of music and mix your are working with - this could be something to consider. Over-all - I like Avantone mics. However, the BV-12 seems to not have the same quality consistency as the other models. Although I got this 2nd read more BV-12 working, I chose to send it back based on the observed quality issues I experienced.

Musical Background:
Playing music for 50+ years, audio engineer, songwriter, guitar, mandolin, keys

Musical Style:
Primary focus on acoustic music - pop, rock, Christian, country. However, work with TV and Film scoring using keys & synths.
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