C12 VR any good?

[eggwheat]

Hi, I've been offered a secondhand AKG C12 VR really cheap ($1100) it something I would not even consider being so expensive normally, but the question is are they actually any good? I had a quick search on the net and they general view seems that they are dissapointing and nowhere near as good as the original C12 and not worth the money...

What do you guys think? any experince of the re-issue?

I've never tried any kind of C12, Im using a Rode K2 as my main valve mike by the way.

Phil.

 

[Giganova]

I've never used a C12, but given that the retail price for a C12 CV is in execess of 5 grands, it seems like your secondhand AKG C12 VR is a real steal! I'd take it

 

[J_Bursch]

Assuming the Mic is in good condtion there would be little risk in purchasing it and trying it out. If you don't like it you can sell it. The last one to sell on Ebay went for $2,500.

 

[eggwheat]

Yeh I realised it was a bargain, but I just really want to know if the negative reports I've read are true or not as I doubt I'll ever get to try a vintage C12 to compare it to. I've found that a lot of people are down on re-issues of anything(guitars-amps etc), and sometimes just because they want to perpetuate myths that the original vintage gear is somehow superior to keep the prices high of their investments! Imagine all the people who own originals going round saying the re-issues are better! That aint gonna happen even if it were true is it.

 

[Richard Monroe]

I'm sorry I have no experience with the vintage C12, but I have auditioned the current version. I like it, but I like bright mics, and the VR sure as hell is that. It's a bitchin' vocal mic for the right voice, and a wicked acoustic guitar mic. Those are the only sources I've tried it on. For $2500-4500, I'd select other mics in most cases. For that price, in good condition, I'd snap it up in a heartbeat. When you're debating the virtues of a C12 against Brauner, Lawson, Neumann, et al., you're debating whether you like the Viper or the Ferrari. Sure I like Ferraris, but would I buy a used Viper in good shape for $20,000? Damn right! ...Even if I only meant to sell it, buy the Civic, and pocket the difference.-Richie

 

[Fletcher]

I have a ton of experience with real, well maintained, original C-12's... the piece of shit you're talking about isn't worth the money put into the fabrication of the body tube.

Those mic's aren't as good as a good portion of the shitty Chinese mics that curse our profession. If you're looking for a real mic in the $1,100 range look at something like a Coles 4038 or a Soundelux U-195... the C-12 vulgar and Rotten isn't worth the nice box AKG[-ee wiz we used to make some cool mic's---what happened?] packages that ugly green assed turd in.

Run, don't walk, run!! Away from that turd before you get sucked in like it's current sucker of an owner.

As always... YMMV

 

[Richard Monroe]

Don't hold back, Fletcher, tell us what you really think! Whether or not you like the mic, (I'm guessing Fletcher doesn't) it can be fairly easily sold for more than the guy wants for it.-Richie

 

[PinkStrat]

Newer C12 VR sucks but what about the C414B-ULS Fletcher?

Hi Fletcher,

I have heard this opinion of the AKG C12 VRs from a few other people. That said, I was curious what you think of the C414B-ULS microphones before they fade off into the sunset with the unveiling of the new C414XLS models? And while on that question have you actually heard the new C414XLS mics yet? It is my bet that the new C414XLS will not be at all the same sounding mic (as the C414B-ULS) with the bigger body and extra electronics & LEDs jammed into it. What do you think? It cannot possibly be close with the difference in sensitivity (from the old spec of -14dB self-noise to -6dB self-noise). Thanks for your opinion!

Thanks,
Dean Farley

 

[eggwheat]

wow that good huh? but no explanation of why its so bad?

Phil.

 

[eggwheat]

Ok dudes, well I bought it anyway to see how bad it is hehe...maybe I can make some $ and put that towards a real C12 I have a female vocalist in my band and she has a real sweet(not powerfull) voice that has loads of low end and dissapears in the mix really easy maybe there is a chance mic will help....

 

[Giganova]

good luck and keep us posted how you like the C12, ok?

 

[eggwheat]

Ok, well I've had the C12VR in my studio for a week or so and have given it a good listen. I compared it with a RODE K2 and I have to say it blew that mic out the water on every level. The sound is a lot smoother and warmer that the K2 and definately imparts a hell of a lot more of that flattering valve tone and 'air' that valve mikes are known for. This is how I thought a valve mike should sound. The K2 is a lot less characterfull almost too clean for a valve mic in comparison. I did a couple of blind tests on the mics with other people and everyone picked the C12VR as the best sounding. I have never heard an original C12 so cant compare. It comparison to the K2 mics it is definately a lot nicer sounding. It should be as its 10 times the price!

Also as a footnote this particular microphone came from Roundhouse recording studios which is a very famous studio in London UK, who have produced a lot of hit records. It's a well used mic, plenty of wear on it, which is a good sign to me that they used it a lot and liked it!

Phil.

 

[cominginsecond]

It stands to reason that it'd be at least decent. A $3000 mic coming from a company like AKG is simply going to be a great mic. Maybe the worst $3000 mic out there, but it still will blow away anything under a grand, most likely.

 

[Fletcher]

Glad to hear you like the mic... I think they're flaming pieces of shit, but you're obviously happy with it. You are unfortunately in for a rather rude awakening as you're probably going to be searching for better and better sounding tools.

As you discovered that this AKG thing sounds way better than the Rode thing, you will now start to discover other things that sound way far better than both.

I reckon my original post was a bit too harsh as I come from the perspective of having heard and having used many a well maintained original C-12 over the years. I suppose I really should have taken the whole perspective thing into account when I made the first post... but to anyone who has experience with some of the true gems of the world [not just old mics, but good mics in general... which are a lot of things, but inexpensive isn't one of them], the AKG "reissue" crap just doesn't stack up.

Looking at it from the "perspective" thing... AKG made some of the most wonderful microphones ever made. They made the original Ela M 251 for Telefunken, they made the C-12, the C-12a, the C-412, the C-414 EB... and then around 1979 it seemed that the beancounters got involved and they released the C-414EB p48, which signaled the beginning of the end for what was one of the proudest histories in microphone design.

AKG took a path toward the "mass market" [and who could blame them... as a company grows it will inevitably have to satisfy larger markets to survive] and the quality of the product suffered. It happens all the time. Hell, it's happening to Neumann right now... but that's what allows cool little boutique companies to crawl out of the woodwork and make some extraordinarily good product.

When, and if, you have an opportunity to hear some of the Bruaner, or Soundelux, or Horch mics [there are a whole bunch of rather small yet very cool little mic companies out there] you'll kinda understand why I got so pissed off in the other post... in the meanwhile, it's good to hear that you're have a good time recording stuff... after everything is said and done, that's what it's all about.

Peace.

 

[eggwheat]

Yeh in total agreement, it's all relative isnt it? I would never of considered a C12VR normally but it was dirt cheap and it's done the job for me relative to the equipment I already own and my recordings will now move up another notch in quality till I discover the next thing...I'm gonna aim for a real vintage C12 I think. New doesn't do it for me, based on my experience with vintage guitars over new guitars. All the hard edges seem to smooth off over the years like a pebble on a beach kind of thing.. I'm thinking this might apply to mics too

Phil.

 

[junplugged]

I have a ton of experience with real, well maintained, original C-12's... the piece of shit you're talking about isn't worth the money put into the fabrication of the body tube.

Those mic's aren't as good as a good portion of the shitty Chinese mics that curse our profession. If you're looking for a real mic in the $1,100 range look at something like a Coles 4038 or a Soundelux U-195... the C-12 vulgar and Rotten isn't worth the nice box AKG[-ee wiz we used to make some cool mic's---what happened?] packages that ugly green assed turd in.

Run, don't walk, run!! Away from that turd before you get sucked in like it's current sucker of an owner.

As always... YMMV

Good post, didn't know you were here. Good to know Soundelux is doing it right.

((Hey Chess, over here ))

 

[chessrock]

Ya know, you could just build a time machine if you want to join discussions from last year.

.