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May is Mic Month at Sweetwater!

AKG C12 VR Reviews

5 4.4/5.0 based on 6 customer reviews

Sweetwater Advice

Carson McClain
Good luck trying to find an original. You probably have heard your engineer friends who own the original say these words, "from my cold dead hands." This is a mic replicated from a 1950s design but improved upon. If you work with real singers, or need a mic with a pure sound, the C12 VR is it.
Paul Lea
I love to use these mics on lead vocals that require a tight focused and close mic'ed sound. The C12 VR is so close to the original that Tom Petty used one when recording the Heartbreakers' Echo album.
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Customer Reviews

Matt
from Nashville, TN
July 9, 2010 Music Background:
Guitarist, Engineer, Producer, Vocalist

The Best

I recently purchased a C12VR... I conducted a mic shoot out as soon as it arrived. I plugged my C12VR, Neumann U87, Neumann TLM-103 Anniversary Ed., and my Rode Classic II into identical Apogee solid state preamps for sound comparisons. I equalized the volume setting, and let the fun begin. In the end, the AKG C12VR and the Neumann U87(I had modified) were my finalist. It was like comparing apples to oranges (my vote was for the C12vr), so I brought in four musician friends to get their opinions. The AKG C12VR won the competition (all four picked the C12vr). The U87 sounds very "What you see is what you get". But, the C12VR makes everything sound warmer and magical. Also, the C12VR seems to cut down on sibilance, which is great. However, like all mics, EQing is a must. This is one of the best microphones in the world. I dare you to find a warmer microphone.
neve
from norway
July 14, 2008 Music Background:
composer

perfect mic

AKG C12 VR is a good sounding mic. perfect warmth,presence,a nice tube sound. Dont understand the bad reviews of this mic on the net..I suppose it is just a matter of taste, but it certainly is NOT a C12..and I can understand when people say it Doesnt Sound Like A C12...Because it dont. Akg could perhaps called it a C(something else).. This mic is too dark to be compared to an original C12. But again, C12 VR (Vintage reissue) is something special. It cuts through the mix, and the vocals sits perfectly.
I have tried it with a Neve pre..and a ****** Behringer pre...this mic sounds unbelieveable whatever you puts it through. NR.1!!! Remarkable sound! one of my favorites! AKG RULES!
Ivica Kodzoman
from Split, Croatia, Europe
July 31, 2007 Music Background:
Pro Musician

AKG C 12 VR

After a many years of searching for the „perfect mic“ I've finally got my hands on a brand new AKG C12VR and I was blown away with results!! I use it in my studio with Avalon VT 737sp and RME Fireface 400....and the mic sounded perfect on everything I recorded with it, (lead vocals, back volcals, acoustic guitars, sax, etc...)...and it really translated the full range very evenly and have nice even tone and velvety warmth and presence....simply, it delivers a remarkable sound and performance!! So, in my experience and IMHO the nine remotely selectable pickup patterns make the AKG C12VR a necessity not only for vocals, but for instrumental solo recording, as well. Providing a sound beyond words, the AKG C12VR is the ultimate in microphones, trully „high-end class“ mic,...and a worthy investment for the professional artist.
I just love it!!:)))
ChrisW
from Nashville, TN
March 18, 2010 Music Background:
Recording Engineer, Producer, Drummer

VERY CLEAR! But a had little trouble dealing with the "lows"

It IS a great sounding mic. Do I think it's necessarily worth 5 G's, not so much... I recorded a male vocal with it and had to toy around with EQ quite a bit to get rid of some "boomy" low end. But in the end, it out performed any vocal mic in my collection!
Dennis Dougherty
from NewYork, NY
March 4, 2008 Music Background:
Classical Musician, Audio Design Engr, Internationally Aclaimed Composer of Chamber Music

Microphone Geeks

The AKG C12-VR is certainly a dream microphone and like any fine piece of equipment, one should be proud to have one at his/her disposal. I find this universal fascination a little puzzling however. So much of the minute sound differences between this and lesser models is just too often lost in the digital medium and especially when the CD is used. As an industry we should be working towards a supperior recording/playback system. One that really captures the musical nuances this mic can detail.
Mac
from UK
February 16, 2009 Music Background:
25 years playing in bands, own recording studio.

C12 VR

After getting my hands on a pre 99 version of the C12 the sound it has added to my mixes is great.
Im glad I didnt listen to the bad reviews on some sites. If I had I would have missed a great deal.

AKG C12 VR

Vacuum Tube Mic with 1" Twin Diaphragm Capsule Design and 9 Selectable Polar Patterns

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