Large-diaphragm microphones like Avantone CV-12 Vs Aston Spirit are suitable for people who want a warm sound. These microphones are also versatile, but they are most famous for vocals. They sound good and pretty affordable but not the same as each other. If you wonder which microphone to purchase, let’s see what they can offer below.
In this comparison, we are going to talk about:
- What is Large Diaphragm Microphones
- What are Avantone CV-12 and Aston Spirit
- How are the Build Qualities of Avantone CV-12 and Aston Spirit
- How are the Setups of Avantone CV-12 and Aston Spirit
- How are the Sound Characters of Avantone CV-12 and Aston Spirit
- What are the Features of Avantone CV-12 and Aston Spirit
- How is the Performance of Avantone CV-12 and Aston Spirit
- Avantone CV-12 Vs Aston Spirit
Large Diaphragm Microphones
A microphone is the first step of audio recording because it captures your sound, be it voice, instruments, or other sounds that you want to amplify or process. This equipment also plays a role in affecting the sound quality and how it colorized your sound. A large and small diaphragm microphone is often used in a studio for recording purposes. The large-diaphragm microphones have capsules measuring 32-34 mm in diameter with an actual membrane size between 22-27 mm.
On the other hand, the small diaphragm microphones are a half-inch or less in diameter. You can easily see these specs from their manual or the unit itself because large-diaphragm microphones will be more significant in general. The most common question about this type of mic is whether a large diaphragm is better. The mic is better when capturing the depth of very low-frequency sound. Some people will argue with this, but they are often subjectively better to capture the low frequency and give your overall sound a warm nuance.
They usually make your voice more pleasant to listen to by giving it a warm tone. It is also versatile, so you can use it for vocals and instruments to make them sound more vibrant, rich, and attractive. Besides vocals, you can use the microphone to record guitar or bass amps, drums, acoustic guitars, and big brass instruments. You may need both small and large-diaphragm microphones to match the application in the studio because they are best for different goals.
| Avantone CV-12 | Aston Spirit | |
|---|---|---|
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| Product Dimensions | 17 x 13 x 6 inches | 10 x 5 x 4 inches |
| Shipping Weight | 2.73 pounds | 1.764 pounds |
| Shop now at Amazon | click here | click here |
About Avantone CV-12 and Aston Spirit
If your main goal is to capture a big sound or prefer your vocal and voice to sound warm to the listeners, the large-diaphragm microphones will be a great option. Depending on the brand and model, the cost will vary among options, and this type of microphone is not a guarantee to make you sound better because we have different voices. It is best to recognize your voice and try different microphones to see which complements it best, especially when it comes to vocals.
For those who want a large-diaphragm microphone but have a limited budget to spend, the Avantone CV-12 and Aston Spirit will be two ideal options to consider. Both microphones currently cost $500 and less, so we think more people will be able to afford them. Large-diaphragm microphones tend to be expensive, so it is wise to consider how much you want to spend first. One of them is the Taylor Swift mic; the Avantone CV-12 is a complete package for vocals and instruments.
The British microphone Aston Spirit is also a popular option in the budget range, and it is currently cheaper than CV-12. This microphone offers some valuable features that you can find on the other model, and sound-wise it is also excellent. In our opinion, the difference between Avantone CV-12 and Aston Spirit is their sound because CV-12 is a traditional large diaphragm with classic characteristics. It is similar to the famous AKG C12, but the real-world experience varies depending on your voice.
We have heard the CV-12 performs beautifully for male and female vocals, but if your natural voice is already mid-forward, this mic may enforce it, causing some unpleasant effects. The Spirit is probably more versatile for varying users’ voices, especially for vocals. It is more well-distributed, so no one area is overpowering the rest. But, for versatility, the Avantone CV-12 and Aston Spirit are both good for vocals and your amps or instruments. Read also: Avantone CV-12 Vs TLM 102 here.
Avantone CV-12 and Aston Spirit Build Quality
Before checking what the Avantone CV-12 and Aston Spirit can offer, let’s see what the purchase gives you. First, for the CV-12, this microphone comes in a hard stainless case that contains every piece of equipment inside. The microphone is sealed inside a wooden case which is great for storing or traveling purposes. The box also includes a long 7-pin cable to the mic and power supply. The power supply is built with steel housing and where you can find some of the features.
On the other hand, Aston Spirit comes in a regular cardboard box. The box contains the mic, shock mount, and pop filter. The quality of these accessories is questionable because first, the shock mount is not clamping the mic tightly, and second, the pop filter is fragile, so it may not last very long. The build quality for the actual microphones is fantastic, they are made of all-metal construction, and there is no flex or any concerning parts.
Avantone CV-12 and Aston Spirit Setup
Both Avantone CV-12 and Aston Spirit are condenser microphones, so the first thing you may want to have is phantom power. The CV-12 is already packing a power supply with the purchase, which is more convenient if you don’t have the equipment yet. Still, since most of us are working with computers today, it is probably necessary to have an audio interface. The Spirit is not sold with the power supply, so we will need another piece of equipment to provide it.
Avantone CV-12 and Aston Spirit Sound Characters
Now for the most important part, let’s see how the Avantone CV-12 and Aston Spirit sound and whether they are similar or not. In general, they do not sound like each other. We get the CV-12 traditional sound, especially on the low to mid-range. Most people call it a warm microphone with a darker nuance to it. It is probably best for male vocals, but the highs are also open and pleasant. However, the mic seems to be heavy on the mid-range, making it not as versatile depending on your voice.
For the vocal recording purpose, CV-12 is too mid-forward and can produce nasally sounds. This is not an issue with Aston Spirit because the mic is more balanced. It is more well-distributed with a slight warmth on the low end. It is arguably not as warm as the CV-12 and makes it more versatile for a wide range of vocals. Its low end is rich, mid-range is excellent, and highs are open and light. The highs are not too forward, so it is overly bright.
On the instruments, we find that Avantone CV-12 and Aston Spirit can be amazing for electric and acoustic guitars. Especially on the acoustic, their air frequency is fantastic, and we can see these microphones as a favorite choice for recording acoustic guitars. They are light, detailed, and give your playing a desired presence. We are not very sure about other instruments, but some people like how they capture percussions.
Avantone CV-12 and Aston Spirit Features
Next, we also want to talk about the features that you can find on the Avantone CV-12 and Aston Spirit. The CV-12 comes with a power supply, so we don’t have to buy separate equipment, but the port or connector is a bit shaky, so it may not last long. This power supply also houses a polar patterns selector for the microphone. Besides cardioid, you can use this microphone in omnidirectional and figure 8 settings depending on the application.
There is also an 80Hz high pass filter and a -10dB pad switch built-in the microphone. As for the Aston Spirit, this microphone also offers additional features, but you can access it directly from the unit. This microphone has cardioid, figure 8, and omnidirectional polar patterns. It also has a pad between -10, -20, or 0dB and the same 80Hz high pass filter.
Avantone CV-12 and Aston Spirit Performance
Lastly, for the overall performance of Avantone CV-12 and Aston Spirit, they are enjoyable. They will work better in a treated room like any microphones, and the best thing is that they are very quiet. The included shock mount, while not the best, works very well to eliminate vibration and disturbance from the mount. The noise rejection is better on the Aston Spirit, especially in the figure 8 pattern, because both sides are almost not picking up anything while you can still hear noticeable sound from the CV-12.
Avantone CV-12 Vs Aston Spirit
Both Avantone CV-12 and Aston Spirit are good microphones, and we can recommend them to anyone looking for a large-diaphragm microphone. The most crucial difference is their sound character, which is better on the Aston Spirit. This microphone sounds more balanced with a slight warmth and brightness. It will complement most people’s voices while also great for miking amps and acoustic guitars. The CV-12 can be too mid-forward, which is unsuitable for some voices, but it is also warmer than Spirit and equally great for guitars.
Conclusion
The decision is yours because we may have a different voice that needs different suitable mics. We recommend Aston Spirit here because it is cheaper and because it is more versatile for various types of voices, especially if you dislike your mid-range. It is more balanced with a pleasant low and air frequency response.