Telefunken C12

If there were ever a microphone that was the epitome of classic, hi-fidelity sound, it would be the Austrian-designed C12. Originally developed by AKG Acoustics in 1953, the C12 is revered for its smooth, airy frequency response. The design of the C12 was unique in its remote capsule polarizing technology. The ability to change the capsule’s polar response variably between cardioid, omnidirectional and figure 8 (and six intermediate patterns between) from the power supply instead of with switches on board the microphone made the C12 the one of most versatile large diaphragm tube microphone of its time. Considered by many to be the finest sounding microphone ever produced, original C12 microphones are still in use in recording studios throughout the world.