Big-G
Hi Folks,
Despite being a new comer round these parts, I am by no means a new comer to recording, having spent several years in the local music scene back in my home town Liverpool. Having now lived in Cape Town for the past 8 years, and not been 'in the studio' in that time due to being a stay at home dad, I'm not so familiar with alot of the new products on the market... One such set of products being the Avantone range of mics...
So, my question... Has anyone here been using, or at least tried out, the Avatone mics at all? What are your impressions?
I'm particularly looking for something I can use on acoustics and vocals, but with enough flexibility to handle other instruments and amplification I may throw at it?
The CV-12 is the obvious star of the range, and is quite the mic for the price, but unless I manage to sell a few items I have laying around here, its a bit too far out my price bracket. So I started looking at the likes of the CK-6 and CK-7. These are very, very reasonably priced, and almost seem too good to be true? So thats why I thought I'd see if anyone has used them at all? Impressions?
The CV-28 also takes my appeal, but two things concern me.... Firstly, its not really intended for vocals, so I'd have to get a second mic, which would then place me back into the CV-12's price bracket (or more). The second thing is due to its tiny size, it uses a specific valve (tube) which seems difficult to get hold of? The CV-12's is much easier to get hold of, and easier to replace too!
Then, from the Rode point of view, I've been offered a K2 mic for effectively a few hundred rand more than the CV-12, which again, if I can sell some of the mics I currently have, I can stretch to. Anyone compared the CV-12 and K2 at all?
To put things into perspective, I'm currently using a ROde NT-1a, through a Presonus Inspire 1394 firewire interface, and monitoring back through Event Alp 5's (superb little fella's for very nearfield monitoring). I've been finding the NT-1a fairly bland, and having to EQ a lot afterwards to bring any clarity or sparkle to my acoustic guitars, so want to upgrade the mic.
I'd really appreciate any input any one can add here, as I'm struggling to make a decision, and reviews are very few and far between on the avantones!
Thanks in advance for any help?!
Regards
G!
greetings
I don't know much about Avantone mics, but that CV-12 looks great review-wise. I would also suggest checking out TUL microphones (facebook.com/TulMicrophones). I think their T12 might be what you're looking for.
kayDUB
I've used the CR-14 (iirc) ribbons on electric guitar, sounded sweet to my ears. I don't have much exposure with ribbons tho.
They seem to be well regarded for the price. I'm hoping to get a pair soon.
Big-G
Thanks for the responses guys!
SO, I bit the bullet, and bought the CK-1 pencil mic, and the Ck-6 LDC, and I have to say that my impressions so far are very pleasing! I haven't used either in the studio as of yet, as I'm still setting that up, but I used them both 'live' last sunday on our guitarists amp.
The CK-1 is an absolute gem! I have never heard the guitarists amp sound so crisp and clear (even with distortion), and it just sat perfectly in the mix, each note clearly defined without being over bearing.
The CK-6 I am still unclear about. I wasn't as taken by its immediate tonal qualities as the CK-1, but considering I was using an LDC 'live on stage', I'm not really worried by this. At the same time as having to work on getting a usable tone from this mic, I was notably reassured by the frequency response this mic did pick up, notably the low end response. I look forward to trying this one out once my studio is set up fully!
I'll give some more detailed feedback once I've gotten to know these two mics a little more intimately! Wish me luck!
As for their other mics, the CV-12 and CR-14 are defintaley on my demo list, and would be very much of interest. The only thing that concerns me with the CR-14 is its figure-of-8 pattern. But thats ribbon mics for you I guess!
Regards
G!
