Avantone Pro CV-12 Tube Mic Review / Test (vs. AT2020, NT1, LCT840, TF51)
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- Опубліковано 1 лип 2024
- Today I review Taylor Swift’s mic, the Avantone CV12 which was used on her voice for her country albums (I was mistaken that it was used on 1989). This is an affordable multiple polar pattern tube condenser microphone. If you are looking for an airy top end and rounded mid section, then this mic will offer that for you and do it well.
HQ Audio Of Review: podcastage.com/rev/cv12
Buy the Avantone CV12(Affiliate Link)
Amazon: geni.us/cv12
Sweetwater: imp.i114863.net/cv12
Buy the Focusrite 2i2 (3rd Gen)- Same Performance as 18i20 (Affiliate Link)
Amazon: geni.us/2i32rd
Sweetwater: imp.i114863.net/k6g4d
00:00 - Intro / Price / Disclaimer
00:32 - Setup
00:48 - What’s in the Box
01:29 - Build Quality / Walkthrough
03:17 - Specifications
03:51 - 3 Polar Pattern (Tone / Rotation)
04:54 - Plosive Test
05:05 - Distance Test / Proximity Effect Test
05:27 - Background Noise Test
05:44 - Untreated Room Test
06:02 - Mic Mount Bump Test
06:20 - Mic Resonance Tap Test
06:34 - High Pass Filter Test
07:15 - High End Interface Test
08:24 - Intro to Comparison
08:35 - Neewer NW700 Comparison
09:06 - Audio Technica AT2020 Comparison
09:45 - Rode NT1 Comparison
10:26 - Shure KSM32 Comparison
11:12 - MXL Revelation II Comparison
11:53 - Lewitt LCT840 Comparison
12:48 - Neumann TLM103 Comparison
13:46 - Telefunken TF51 Comparison
14:57 - Neumann U87 AI Comparison
16:24 - Music Test
17:33 - Pros & Cons
19:00 - Overall Thoughts
21:46 - Recommendation
23:27 - Outro
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I was mistaken, this was not used on her album 1989, but it was used by Taylor Swift on her earlier albums.
"With regard to his signal chains, Chapman says "I recorded Taylor's voice with an Avantone CV12, which I also used on Fearless, going into a Martech MSS10 mic pre, and then a Tube‑Tech CL1B compressor" - Source: www.soundonsound.com/people/taylor-swift-speak-now
You've got guts. If this is your first experience with Swifties disputing every fact you state about her then I'm sorry. If you ever care to know what brand of xlr cable she used when she was 9 I'm sure they can help out. I wouldn't suggest reviewing Selena Gomez' mic stand either lol.
@@MrPhins Lmfao
you should do a review on the maono au-pm421
The UAD pre sounds 2600$ better.
Shouldn't her vocals have a more vintage old school sound vs the digital sterilized sound?
I asked Taylor about this and she said that she just "liked it because it was red".
Lmao
You know Taylor swift?
Deep
She gave an ester egg for her future RED re-recording.
☠️☠️
🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣
Yes the Mic In plug is wobbly on mine too, but the selector on the front is solid. Used it to record vocals on our most recent album (death metal vocals) and it did an amazing job out the box.
Thanks for taking the mic apart! Please keep doing this in the future!!
I'm not even in the market for a new microphone yet still watch these.
get the Rode NT1-A. also, stop it. you should be ashamed of yourself.
Been waiting all week
The box throw is litterally the best part of my week.
Did it hit the ceiling??
And I'm still waiting for a carrying case throw. Bandrew doesn't have the guts!
@@gyozakeynsianism oh yeah, i would want to see that too LOL.
This mic or tlm 103 ?
@@applecrazy1 every one.
i really felt the enunciation on "electret". Well done
This may actually be the best microphone review I've ever seen, def earned a sub. My cv12 didn't have wobbly jacks, however the selector knob is starting to strip and I only ever really use it in cardioid so I just fumble it to that and leave it. The stock tube went microphonic on me about 2 months of use, but I can't really fault the mic for that. I think it's got a Westinghouse 12ax7 in it now(whatever I had laying around) and an eh12at7 did a great job at rolling off some of the high end, though I didn't really prefer it. It's a great sounding mic for the price, though using it with the singer I have been I wish I'd have gone for the warm audio u47 instead.
Great Review. This was one of the first microphones I ever bought. Up to about 30 or 40 now. I agree with your conclusion.
Love your great mic reviews. Thank you!
I was utterly astounded at how much clearer the TF51 was compared to the CV12. I was listening idly until I heard the TF51 come on and I felt it in my heart
You can buy 3 CV-12's and have change for what the TF51 goes for.
yeah its insanely different but $1300 of diff you would hope so
@@JanelleRizal yeah you got that right 🤯
I had this mic before. My power supply actually had an extremely loose input and output XLR outputs AND the polar pattern selector didn't click into place per pattern. Good to know we're getting some good ♫ QA in The USA ♫
This mic or tlm 103 ?
Mine is rock solid. I got mine just before people found swift was using it. Increased demand = more production = poorer QA for sales sake.
I just bought it used, and I am having the exact same problems lol
I ended up buying the apogee hype mic about 2 months ago. Thanks for your review on that mic. In general the built in compression gives me some complications and I wish I could have a one on one tutorial on it. Otherwise, I'll end up buying this one based on your feedback on it.
AHH, the sweet hum of an AC. A Podcastage classic
I have a cv-12 and I love it! The power supply is very solid on mine. Definitely very bright but its my main vox mic!
Excellent review! I own this mic and I agree with all of your comments. The shock mount is an absolute disaster. The bungees detach with even the slightest touch. I ended up super-gluing mine to the attachment points. Everyone complains about this (for years now), and yet they don’t improve it. Avantone is NOT responsive to feedback from their customers.
This mic has a great sound.
My favorite was the MXL. The Rode and Shure were close behind.
That Neumann just sounds so nice!
LCT 840!!!! How I’ve been dreaming for the day you would review it!!!
Damn you had me rollin at the end of the song in this review! LOL This one was the best.
i been waiting for this video
So many mics out there! The Vanguard V13 might be a good one to review since we're on the subject of multipattern tube mics :-)
Another great review. Would love to see you review the Rode NTK since it's another popular entry level tube mic.
My copy was from their early production. The knob is very good, it clicks loud and sharp, with a very sturdy feel.
Our favourite alien, g-day Mr Scott...absolutely marvelous presentation...as is usual
Great sounding mic, to my ears. That TF51 sounded awesome. KSM32 and LCT840 very nice as well. At 500 bucks its a great buy.
yep, ksm32 was fire on his voice
Sounds great. Looks half-good... I love the hotrod red, but the grill on it looks like a Neewer, lol.
I appreciate the look at the internals. I'm kind of obsessed with circuit boards, especially when there's tubes involved, lol.
in the studio where i recorded "helldrinkers - you know you want it, you know you need it" we used a cv12 as a room mic for the drums, it's a really good mic
I own the CV-12. use it for recording rock vocals mostly. the powersupply is rock solid. I have an older model which has another type of tube which has lower gain. the newer have a 12ax7 which could be the reason it is mid forward. I've recorded the lead vocals of all the new Martyr songs with it the last year. CV-12 into a GAP pre73DLX with a mindprint envoice in the insert for the EQ and Compressor. Martyr- No Time for Goodbyes and Rais your horns, Unite are some examples.
Great review, I would love to see you review the Sound Devices USBpre 2 audio interface
Hi. I’m a big fan. Thank you for the stella content as always.
I love love how long it is !
8:03 it's Podcastage's job to keep punk rock elite 🤘
Would love a review of the Rode NTK! Thanks for all you do!
Excellent review!! I have been looking for a new mic that can work with my unique vocal tone (kinda John Elefante-ish) this is great input.
ive used this ONCE, and it was a very unique yet amazing sound...
This mic or tlm 103 ?
@@applecrazy1 This one, not the tlm
@@applecrazy1 tlm imo is hype… don’t get me wrong, it’s good, it’s just overhyped… definitely would take the avantone
The tf51 and avantone are very similar. GO AVANTONE! BTW, great and thorough review. 👍
this mic sounded good compared to the 1k plus tube mic but I could still hear the quality difference. the mic sounds nice though for sure. Great video as always!
This mic is awesome on female pop vocals especially, so maybe in future tests of vocal singing mics, test it on a good singer that is both male and female. Every mic is different for different situations and while I love your reviews, I think it would be more credible if you tested it on different genders vocally. ( I know that might make it harder to do these). Thanks for the reviews, they are helpful.
YO I've been waiting for an Avantone mic vid. I have their small diaphragm one for instrument recording, and like it a lot. I'm considering getting their Large Diaphragm CK-6 but the reviews seem much worse than the small or ck12. Hopefully some day you do a vids on those.
I have had one of these for a few years and it might be over kill for VO work but damn I love it.
Hearing you talk about the comparisons makes me sleepy. But in a “his voice is extremely relaxing” kind of sleepy.
I'm surprised how good it is compared to the other mics. The only one that I noticed that sounds noticeably clearer is the telefunken but wew lad that's a big price difference.
I wasn't really familiar with Avantone as a brand until today and I think it sounds awesome in this video!
Yeah they're not as well known as many other brands. But thank you for watching!
Loved the sound of the Telefunken.
Great video. I find the sound of this microphone to be 'small'. Maybe some people find it easy to mix as a result, and of course individual voices suit all sorts of different microphones. But yeah it seems to make a somewhat constricted sound to me that I don't love.
The electric guitar actually sounds really good with that mic placement. Sounds very 90's.
Bandrew, The CV-12 is just a slightly modified Apex 460. The actual upgraded version released by Stellar Sounds ( the CM5) is a brilliant microphone.
It would be great if there were CM5 for sale anywhere.
I have one of these. I think it's a good basic affordable CK-12 type dual element capsule mic with multiple polar patterns. Replacing the XLR-7 cable that came with it with a Gotham or Mogami cable is a must and very affordable. My pattern selector rotary switch is firm and crisp. It's got a ceramic switch body. Perhaps Avantone changed the switches in the supply build after yours was built. The two audio receptacles in mine are not the greatest. Mechanically, the XLR-7 female does not feel as secure as the XLR-3. The XLR-7 appears designed to have some lateral float built in so that its pin holes will line up with the male pins on the cable more readily as the cable shell locates into the socket. Both the XLR-3 and XLR-7 sockets are easily replaced -- they are chassis mounted and wired to the power supply PC board -- they are not edge mounted directly to the PC board. Edge mounting of sockets to a PC board is typical of inexpensive construction. It can lead to early failure of the socket connection as it accumulates connector insertion cycles and the insertion stress that places on the socket/PC board solder joints and the socket mechanicals. Wire connecting makes the sockets more easily replaced.
What's funny is I use a lot of these mics on the same track - the Avantone CV12, the KSM32, the NT1 (and a DPA 4041 for lead) to give the multitracked vocals a lot of texture. They have some similar sonic qualities but are obviously different enough to provide interesting depth. Since I record 80-100 vocal tracks (or more) per song, I need a super clear but not over-crunchy or muddy. The Avantone is a good all-around mic too.
How are you managing to fit 100 vocal tracks in a song?? Honest question
awesome reviews
hello, I rely on you for my next choices, it was good that we managed to bring ml-1microphone digital slate, thanks
I agree. It sounded amazing on the acoustic guitar.
RE: Rode NT1. For every time you say "this is one of my all-time favourite mics" in a microphone review Mister Rode should send you a free sticker.
I support that.
I have this mic with upgraded tubes running it through a wa73 with a distresser comp and it sound magical. The tube change really smoothed out the already aire top end. That along with that wa73 color and the distresser comp on mild settings for tracking (no more then 3 db of gain reduction) and you got something modern sounding in the highs and vintage sounding in the mids perfect for vocals and acoustic guitar never tried it on anything else. For R&B, Pop, Emo this chain above is heaven.
What tube did you replace it with?
changing tubes just changes amplitude not tone, do a/b test
dude that lyric at 17:05 min referencing taylor was actually dope as hell.
would love to see you review the MXL V69 Mogami, its a tube mic the cost around 250-300, would be cool to see how it compare to this and other mics you have.
12:50 You made me laugh, you have no idea how much I needed that on that precise second. Thanks.
On the other hand, were you using some kind of low cut filter for the Shure KSM32? Because I think I heard less of the AC with that one.
Also, I'm understanding why you like the NT1 so much.
I think a comparison between this and the Rode K2 would have been very interesting indeed, both from price and quality viewpoints.
I'd like to see the Rode NTK reviewed. Love mine and I tamed the high end by replacing the tube with a NOS Mullard CV2493 (Telefunken 6922 is good too). The NTK is often overlooked. $529 plus that NOS tube.
Yes my CV12 power supply also has those loose knobs! But the sad part is that Im getting a lot of noise/crackle.. probably a bad tube..
I was thinking it scaled very well in the Universal Audio comparison. Still love the NT1 though :)
Hey Bandrew... Nice review its really helpful, but Please do some review about Se Electronics T2 and comparison with Se Electronics Se4400a, Thankyou 🙏
I didn't know about polar patterns thought it was a volume knob lol rookie mistake thumbs up for the video
My old ears prefer the Shure KSM32 at the price point. OTOH, I'm a sucker for the romance of vacuum tubes (valves ;-) and this one's kinda cool. Now for the silly stuff: what is the preferred pronunciation of Avantone? I previously thought it must be along the lines of avant-garde.
hello sir, I really love your reviews. I want a suggestion because I think you are the best for suggesting this. Currently I have a BM - 800 or Neewer NW - 700 microphone and there is a lot of background hiss with a cheap usb soundcard. I want to upgrade so should I buy the Focusrite scarlett solo and use it with nw - 700 or I should buy M audio M track solo and AKG - P120 ? PLEASE ANSWER MY QUESTION
When i got my cv-12 i was really suprised because the quality of my power supply was quite good. no loose input or output and the polar pattern selector was fine too. sadly the power supply had an defect right from the start so i could never test how the microphone sounds and just ended up sending it back
Hey! Will we see a review on the Revelation II? Im veeery curious about this mic!
I remember reading Nathan Chapman (former TS producer/engineer) say that the CV12 Swift used was modified quite a bit. My guess is someone in Nashville who knew what they were doing turned it in to a more respectable C12 clone. My guess is that's why Avantone has the Black Lion Audio modded version of this mic now, to get you closer to what TS was really using. And I haven't seen her use that mic in a long long time. I was unaware she used it in 1989. I thought she stopped using it after she stopped working with Chapman/Big Machine.
vocal.media/beat/why-this-microphone-was-chosen-to-record-taylor-swift-s-vocals
You are damn right. I can’t find anything saying it was used on 1989. DANG NUMMIT!
@@Podcastage I think now days I've mostly seen them use u47's with her. Because why wouldn't you? haha
Oh yeah of course if she has access to U47’s, I can’t imagine a reason she wouldn’t have that on the stand. One day I would love to try out the u47.
@@Podcastage I've used them, but never owned one. Some day though... some day...
I like the sound of the Rode NT1 and the TF mic. Maybe it's the projection of the acoustic but that sounded kind of thin. The other thing I noticed which is similar in the MXL Tube mic (PS69) I own is that the tube swap may be harder than it looks. That could make a difference also. Man, the MXL Revelation 2 looks like a baseball bat. Now I am listening to your Revelation 2 review and again, that Rode NT1 beats them all (with the exception of the Nuemann u67 re-issue).
Very thorough review, thanks. You almost caught my nose on that thumbs up jab. Have a spinning back thumb up. ;)
Thanks so much. Glad I didn't hit you with that.
Hey would you consider reviewing the Shure 545SD - LC? It's based on the old Unidyne iii which was the predecessor to the SM57. Still in production, I believe it's just an SM57 w/o transformer plus an on/off switch, but the diaphragm may be different as well. I'm told it's a bit less boxy than the 57 and a bit more crispy in the top end.
Hi, a big question is... How should I know what mic to buy, may be I like your review of one mic and with your voice sound great but not with mine, do you think even when it does not sound like I want with some eq compresors, etc will I get the sound that I want? For example for podcast when you began most people buy the at2020 and I like the blue ember, maybe the blue ember is not so old and it could have new tecnology so it could sound better. What would be your recomendation on which mic to buy, hope I make myself clear, great ing from Mexico
12.47..... "Stop yourself" 🤣
I was literally scratching my ASS, I'm so so sorry 🤣🤣
Awesome content as per usual bud
I have a CK40. About 4 years ago, before COVID, it fell 2ft and the spring clip that holds the grills in place failed. Avantone said to send it back. Almost two years later, they finally responded to a plea to just return it as-is. I think they lost it. COVID was a hard time for everyone. In the end, they sent me a brand new one. The mic sounds GREAT, but the build quality is good, not great. My version is earlier, with 2 more switches on the back and no knob on the breakout box (which was less than half the size, and good qualify.
As I remember this was used when Taylor was working with Chapman for her Country albums... Nice mic btw...
Thanks for the additional information, it's great to have.
I've noticed that almost no one on your comments didn't really mention that I just saw on Sweetwater website that you can get this now for $399 new or $319 "B" stock that this mic sounds very good for that price and that at this price...to have a multi-pattern tube in your arsenal of mics when you need an affordable mic to use for M/S mic'ing along with the Rode NT-1 on a nice preamp as the center mic ....sound really great together.
Excuse me, Im just starting out in audio recording industry and I found this mixer from Alto, the zmx52, and was wondering if it is better or just the same compared to the behringer Uphoria M2 they both have almost the same price here in the Philippines so I was wondering which should I get.
On setup, Behringer Truth B3031A (plus sub), with your vocal test, I couldn't tell the difference between the CV-12 and the Lewitt, Rode, or Neumann. There was a noticeable difference between the CV-12 and the TF51, though.
YeeEEeeEEh is a QA in the USA!! i love that miley syrus song
Is it ok that I watch these 50/50 for the packaging toss/music test? Instant sub since I saw the Rode NT-USB-mini review. I think that box is still tunneling towards the core of Earth.
Now you need to review the BlackLion Audio modded CV-12 and compare them.
I had both and the BLA Mod sounds way better than the original. But unfortunately I had to returned the BLA two times because of a faulty unit 🤷🏻♂️ I went with the tlm103 and never looked back
The CV-12 is just a slightly modified Apex 460. The actual upgraded version released by Stellar Sounds (CM5) if a brilliant microphone.
I wouldn't review anything that bla doesn't have listed on their site...means they know shit is trash and they gonna let retailers deal with jt
blackmikemo I agree
Nice comparison! Do you know the Lauten Audio EDEN LT-386? They say it's the Sony C800 G Killer. The flagship of Lauten
Your voice sounds really nice on the CV12. 😊
I appreciate that. I personally prefer other mics on my voice over this one. Thanks for watching. Happy recording.
@@Podcastage I bet. You’ve tried so many microphones! And thank you- I am still debating on the Aston Spirit. I keep searching for that one starter mic that does it all and that may be the winner. Any recommendations for someone that sings R&B and not a high voice. More like an alto soprano and raspy. Besides the spirit, I have been looking at the cv12, mini 87, at4040, WA47jr and LA 220. 🤔🤔🤔
This is exactly the same mic and power supply as the Apex 460B. You can google Apex 460B and see the insides. There are several companies that get their names on these mics. Telefunken USA, Nady, Apex, Avantone and many more. The Chinese factory will make this and other mics with what ever you want on it. I got one and made a a C-12 out of it by replacing the tube, transformer and capsule. I built a copy of the C-12 circuit on breadboards and replaced the cheap Chinese XLR connector with a switchcraft one that had better pins. The power supply pattern control was very clunky but I did not replace that but it was a favorite of the engineers at Fantasy Studios. I think Journey may have used it but I can’t remember.
im glad im not the only one that's is aware of this people need to do some research
Hey, could you offer some advice. We have new modern Mic with a ECC82 tube. It’s a nice big open sounding mic, but can be harsh from 2.5 right up! Is there any tube old or new that may help to soften it ?
7:22 i didn´t know there was a focusrite X8, where can i buy one?
Are we going to see a review for the new Jlab microphones?
I've heard the cv-12 compared to the u87 on singing vocals before and it was hard to hear the difference between the 2 mics. It was very subtle with a very slight edge going to the u87. The cv-12 is now only $400 and I think its amazing for the price considering the case, shockmount, polar pattern selector, and the ability to swap out the tube inside the mic if you wanna try to capture a different sound. If you wanted to go even cheaper I'm really impressed with the rode Nt1. But if I had the extra money I would go with the avantone for the extra bang for the buck.
U87 Ai can't be beaten.
between cv12 vs sony c100 vs mxl revelation which is better sounding?, good lows with nice highs for male vocals? but not too warm sound like jz vintage v11, and not mids like mojave 201(this was really bad for me), no mids at all
Excellent microphone sound has good Neumanns
I like it. I also liked the MXL. I've heard that in professional recording studios when deciding which microphone to use on the talent they line up a bunch of microphones in a semicircle, have the talent stand in the middle, and fart really loud. Then they listen to each fart and decide from there which microphone to use.
You may joke about that but new order did learn how to use a synth by recording farts in the studio
Glorious on acoustic...
Thanks for the review. Watching it made me tired already ahahaha. I liked the sound of Rode NT1 compared to the other microphones, except the TLM 103 and U87 which sounded way better.
I am not a fan of this mic but that mxl and lct840 sound really nice to my ear. I suck at putting this stuff into words but the avantone sounds fuzzy to me like it was throwing out tones it didn't like and the lct840 sounded soft like the information was there and only distorted to make it sound better.
The Telefunken TF51 sounds sooooo good
This mic or tlm 103 ?
@@applecrazy1 Depends on your voice and your purpose, but overall, I would get the tlm 103...but it's pretty expensive.
Have a thousand people suggested you try the Black Lion Audio version of this mic yet? I'm sure at LEAST the power supply issue is taken care of there...
I'd love to hear this vs the Avantone CK7+
Hello, can you do a review of the mxl revelation ii? I want to buy it, but im not sure... Please
My power supply unit is totally fine. Nothing loose or jiggly or wiggly, or... my unit is fine. I keep a flat-blade screwdriver in my kit for those threaded knobs.