Pricing and availability
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Average Price: $8,458
High-end/Boutique
$100
$401+
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Price History
Based on price data from 4 merchants for "AKG C12". Prices shown reflect NEW condition. Tracking began Apr 2, 2026.
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Description
Step into the realm of legendary sound with the AKG C12, a masterfully crafted condenser microphone that pays homage to its iconic predecessor from the 1950s. Revered by sound engineers worldwide, the C12 has been reborn in the form of the C12 VR, marrying vintage charm with modern innovation. Handcrafted in Vienna, this microphone is a masterpiece of engineering, designed to capture every nuance of your performance with breathtaking clarity.
The C12 VR boasts nine selectable polar patterns, including cardioid, omnidirectional, and figure-8, offering a world of possibilities for studio recording. From solo vocalists to full-band sessions, the C12 adapts seamlessly, making it a versatile addition to any recording setup. Equipped with the original 6072A vacuum tube and an updated edge-terminated CK12 capsule, it promises a pristine signal path with minimal noise and distortion.
Recording loud sources? No problem. The C12 VR handles high SPLs with ease, thanks to its 10/20dB pad and 100/130Hz highpass filter, ensuring your sessions remain uninterrupted. Complete with an external power supply, spider shockmount, and a robust aluminum flight case, the C12 VR is ready for any studio challenge.
Key Features:
- 9 selectable polar patterns for optimal recording flexibility
- Original 6072A vacuum tube and updated CK12 capsule
- High SPL handling with 10/20dB pad
- Dual-position highpass filter (100Hz, 130Hz)
- Includes aluminum flight case, remote power supply, and shockmount
Product specs
| Brand | AKG |
| Model | C 12 Large Diaphragm Multipattern Tube Condenser Microphone |
| Finish | Silver |
| Year | 1950s |
| Made In | Austria |
| Categories | Microphones |
| Electronics | Analog, Tube |
| Microphone Type | Large-Diaphragm Condenser |
| Polar Pattern | Multipattern |
| Wired/Wireless | Wired |
FAQs
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What is the primary application of the AKG C12 microphone?
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The AKG C12 is primarily used in professional studio environments for recording vocals and a wide range of instruments, offering high-quality sound reproduction and versatility.
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What type of polar pattern does the AKG C12 offer?
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The AKG C12 features a multipattern polar pattern, allowing users to select from various directional characteristics to suit different recording scenarios.
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Is the AKG C12 a tube microphone?
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Yes, the AKG C12 is an analog tube microphone, which contributes to its warm and rich sonic character, highly valued in professional recordings.
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How does the AKG C12 compare to the AKG C12 VR?
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The AKG C12 VR is a modern replica of the original C12, maintaining the capsule sound and vacuum tube design, but with optimized self-noise and components for contemporary standards.
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What accessories are included with the AKG C12 microphone?
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The AKG C12 comes with a N12VR power supply, H15/T elastic shockmount suspension, 10m cable, W42 foam windscreen, and a professional aluminum carrying case.
Videos
Produce Like A Pro
The Magic of Tube Microphones! - Marc Daniel Nelson
The Magic of Tube Microphones! - Marc Daniel Nelson
Produce Like A Pro
Mic Shootout - Neumann U67, Neumann U47, AKG C12, Telefunken ELA M 251
Orange Room
AKG C12 Classic Microphone | VintageKing.com
Vintage King
AKG C12 Microphone Demonstation
Musos Corner
AKG C12 At Chicago Recording Company: From The CRC Vault
gearwire
The BEST microphone ever? 🤔 (...it's an old AKG C12 and it sounds AWESOME!!!)
MIX66
Reviews
Owner Insights
We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about AKG C12.
Comparisons
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The C12 is noted for having a distant sound with less low and high frequencies compared to the TLM103, which is described as brighter and clearer.
Source -
The C12VR is outperformed by vintage C12a and modern 414 TL II mics, especially in low-end quality.
Source -
The Avantone CV-12 is a suggested alternative for those seeking a C12 lookalike, priced around $319 for B-stock.
Source
Use cases and applications
User experience
Setup and maintenance
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Utilizing thicker panels and bass trapping in a larger room is suggested over using a reflection filter for better acoustic treatment.
Source
Features and functionality
Mods and upgrades
Value and pricing
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The Warbler MKIII by 3U Audio is highlighted as a C12-like microphone at an attractive price of $275 USD with free shipping.
Source
5.0 out of 5
Based on 0 Reviews and 2 Ratings
Artist usage
Add artist
In this YouTube video, Jason Kui is using a AKG C12 as confirmed in the video's description.
Patrick Hyland, in an interview with Reverb, confirmed the use of an AKG C12 microphone for recording vocals on Mitski's album "Puberty 2." Hyland stated:
I can say an interesting thing is that the vocals are like 50/50 between a vintage C12 and an SM7, which is about as different as you can get. I honestly don’t know which is which when I listen to the record.
Used for The Appetition, as can be seen in this Red Bull video at 0:08, 6:58, 10:00 and 11:43.
Used for his feature on Pete Rock's "Strange Fruit", as can be seen in Soul Survivor's documentary at 9:42.
One of three mics used for her feature on Pete Rock's "Soul Survivor", as is visible in Soul Survivor's documentary at 21:41.
A pair was used for the piano on Donald Fagen's Morph the Cat, as stated by mix engineer Elliott Scheiner in this August 2006 Sound on Sound interview.
According to Elliott Scheiner, the following mics were used on the Morph The Cat recording sessions.
- Kick drum: AKG D112.
- Snare: SM57 (only on top).
- Hi-hat: Neumann KM81 or 84.
- Toms: Audio-Technica ATM25.
- Overheads: Neumann U67.
- Room mics: Electrovoice RE20.
- Electric guitar: Shure SM57 right on speaker cone.
- Piano: 2x AKG C12 mics, about 12 inches from the strings.
- Trumpet and trombone: Coles ribbon.
- Tenor sax: Neumann U67.
- Baritone sax: Neumann FET47.
Visible in the bottom photo, which documents the recording sessions for Art Pepper Meets the Rythym Section. Pepper can be seen playing into a C12.
The use of the microphone is confirmed by this article from ProSoundWeb.
Legendary engineer Roy DuNann recorded the original 1957 sessions at Contemporary’s studio in Los Angeles. DuNann used AKG C-12 and Neumann U 47 condenser microphones, which fed an Ampex 350 2-track tape recorder running at 15 ips.
Used for overheads on XOXO, as stated by engineer Nick Tveitbakk in this October 28, 2020 Mix Online interview.
On O’Reagan’s drums, Tveitbakk kept things simple. “I don’t like to do a ton of drum tracks, so I’m busing kick and snares together. I use Beyer m88s on those. Overheads are a pair of [AKG] C12s, and I had a C24 for the room. The Pachyderm live room is one of my favorites for drums.”
Album Usage
The AKG C12 has been featured on the following albums:
Good Vibrations
Brian Wilson (2021)
The Appetition
Raekwon (2020)
Xoxo
Jayhawks (2020)
The Beatles
The Beatles (2018)
Pure Comedy
J Tillman & Father John Misty (2017)
Stronger
NGHTMRE & A-F-R-O (2016)
Black Thoughts Vol. 2
Tyga (2014)
Philip Glass: Music In 12 Parts
Philip Glass Ensemble & Philip Glass (2013)
m b v
My Bloody Valentine (2013)
Live At The Palladium
Harry James and His Orchestra (2009)
In Rainbows
Radiohead (2007)
Morph the Cat
Donald Fagen (2006)
Lupe Fiasco's Food & Liquor
Lupe Fiasco (2006)
Toxic
Britney Spears (2004)
In The Zone
Britney Spears (2003)
Details
Frou Frou (2002)
Jagged Little Pill
Alanis Morissette (1995)
Amor Amarillo
Gustavo Cerati (1993)
Wish
The Cure (1992)
Dynamo (Remastered)
Soda Stereo (1992)
Colores Santos
Gustavo Cerati & Daniel Melero (1992)
Into The Great Wide Open
Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers (1991)
Ritual De Lo Habitual
Jane's Addiction (1990)
We Are The World
U.S.A. for Africa (1985)
Let's Get It On
Marvin Gaye (1973)
September Of My Years (Expanded Edition)
Frank Sinatra (1965)
Art Pepper Meets The Rhythm Section
Art Pepper (1957)
Genre Usage
Based on how artists on Equipboard use this gear, it is most commonly found in the following genres.
Used With
Based on how musicians on Equipboard use AKG C12, it is most commonly used with the following gear.
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