BV-1
Multi-Pattern Large Capsule Valve Microphone
The AVANTONE “Buttercream (B-series)” mics from AVANT ELECTRONICS are designed to offer premium professional performance. They will meet or surpass the performance and specifications of much higher priced mics. As all ways... we strive to offer true value at every price point and invite sonic comparisons to higher priced mics.
The AVANTONE BV-1 is truly a gorgeous looking and sounding microphone. The design, character and performance is comparable to some of the finest vintage tube mics of the 1950’s & 1960’s…but at a fraction of their cost!
Our rugged BV-1 microphone body and capsule assembly are precision machined of BRASS.
Aesthetically, it features an elegant Retro-ButterCream finish, accented with polished nickel trim and grill.
The transformer coupled tube circuitry offers a modern-day, affordable solution to the desire to capture the character of famous European and American vintage designs.
Rear vents aid in stabilizing internal temperature to help secure tube longevity
Any studio can proudly offer the BV-1 as a primary Vocal mic…It exudes class visually as well as sonically.
Manufactured using premium grade resistors and capacitors along with precision machined brass structural components that yield a very solid feel, superb sonic integrity and rugged reliability.
The versatile BV-1 mic is able to produce professional results with an open, warm, pleasing sonic character.
The included Custom Retro Shockmount is superb in allowing a precise positioning of the mic while inhibiting the transfer of unwanted vibrations up into the mic.
9-Pattern Tube Microphone w/ 34mm gold sputtered thin Mylar capsule assembly
-10dB pad & 80 Hz LF roll off switches
Uses Include
Vocals, Acoustic guitar, mandolin, drum overheads, percussion, piano mic, etc…
Set Includes
- AVANTONE BV-1 Multi-Pattern Valve Microphone
- Padded/Plush Lined Wooden Microphone Box
- Vintage Style Power Supply with 9 selectable patterns
- Custom Nickel plated Pop Filter (Detachable)
- Custom "Retro - Style" Shock Mount
- 5/8”- 3/8” stand adapter insert
- 15’ Gotham GAC-7 Custom Mic Cable with Premium Nickel Switchcraft XLR connectors
- Packaged in a Tweed / Alligator Trim - Retro Styled, plush-lined Carrying Case
Foreword by Ray Kennedy Grammy Award Winning Producer / Engineer / Writer / Musician / Artist
I am very pleased to have the opportunity to personally offer a few introductory words about the AVANTONE BV-1 microphone. I was fortunate to hear it in its final pre-release stage and get some real studio recording time with it. As a producer/engineer who has many great classic and vintage microphones in my personal arsenal, it is a rare surprise to be impressed with a new fresh mic out of the box. This is indeed the case with the BV-1!
The ritual of unpacking and setting up the ingenious bottle design BV-1 demonstrates a remarkable measure of quality in the way it looks and feels. The build and materials are of the highest grade … From the 1950’s style tweed / alligator case, to the heavy duty Gotham Audio cables, the stout power supply, the robust shock-mount, and the coolest pop screen ever...this mic is an engineering masterpiece.
As I flipped the switch for initial listening I was eager to hear the sonic quality of this elegant mic…The sound is so rich and full with incredible fat, yet tight, low end, smooth throughout the entire midrange spectrum and extremely pleasing in detail and clarity in the high frequencies. Vocals sound so real and alive like the singer is sitting on the console during playback. I am blown away with the boldness of the sound …so deep, transparent, and silky-smooth on top. In short…the BV-1 is spectacular!
Summary
The BV-1 is an all around multipurpose microphone, which has no limitations for the kind of sound that it can capture on any voice or instrument. If you have a great source sound you need a great microphone to capture the magic and that, no doubt, would be the AVANTONE BV-1. It will be part of my recording equation from now on so therefore I am adding a pair of these beauties to my microphone arsenal… I believe the BV-1’s won’t be stored in the case but living on mic stands always ready to power up and capture some great instruments and voices…This mic is a "Bottle of Badass!”
Ray Kennedy
| Output Impedance: | <200 Ohms / transformer isolated |
| Maximum SPL : | 134dB (0.5% THD @1000Hz) 144dB with pad engaged |
| Frequency Response: | 25Hz-20KHz |
| Equivalent noise level : | 18dB (A-weighted IEC 268-4) |
| S/N Ratio: | 78dB (Ref. 1Pa A-weighted) |
| Sensitivity: | -35dBV |
| Output Connector: | Male XLR 7 pin |
| Included Accessories: | Power Supply, Padded Wooden Mic Box, Shockmount, Custom Designed Tweed road case , Removable metal pop filter, 15’ Gotham GAC-7 Tube Mic Cable |
| Tube Type: | Select Low-Noise Russian 6072A |
| High-Pass Switch | 80 Hz 6dB/octave Switch |
| Attenuation Switch | -10dB Switch |
| Finish: | Polished Nickel trim / Glossy Butter-Cream Body |
| Weight (BV-1 Mic Only): | 1.3 kgs / 46 oz. |
| Weight (in case): | 25 Lbs (11.15 kgs) |
| Dimensions (Microphone): | 10" (250mm) Long x 2.5” (63mm) wide BODY / 75mm (3”) GRILL |
| Dimensions of Product Case: | 23" x 7.5" x 17" |
Review by Barry Rudolph
The new BV-1 tube condenser is the "top of the line" for California-based Avant Electronics. The "lollipop" style mic has a 34-mm diameter gold-sputtered Mylar dual capsule with a 3-micron thick diaphragm encased in a separate head assembly above the mic's bottle body.
The "butter cream" colored nickel body cover slides off to show a 6072A tube and a premium CineMag output transformer inside. The mic has both -10dB attenuator and 80Hz roll-off toggle switches mounted on the body right under the head. The matching color power supply has a nine-position pattern switch for selecting polar patterns ranging from omnidirectional to cardioid to figure-of-eight.
Avantone BV-1 Multi-pattern Tube Condenser Microphone The included kit is impressive as well. You get a stout, shock mount basket and a removable metal pop screen made with a micro-screen for superb protection against wind and plosives from close-singing vocalists. Gotham Audio supplies the beefy multi-core connecting cable. Made in Switzerland, it features vintage-style XLR multi-pin connectors made by Switchcraft.
The mic, power supply, all cables, shock mount and pop filter all fit into an all-wooden and luxurious, retro-style tweed and faux alligator trim suit case lined with purple plush. It's very snazzy! The mic gets it own plush-lined wooden box that goes into this travel case.
I tried the BV-1 at three different studios. For vocals I liked it better than the studio's Siemens-badged Neumann U47 because the BV-1 was smoother in the high frequencies; the vintage Neumann was almost sibilant by comparison. Compared to a Neumann M-149 (again in cardioid pattern) at another studio, the BV-1 had less bottom end and again a smoother top. It sounded good on both vocals and as a percussion overhead mic.