BV-1

Multi-Pattern Large Capsule Valve Microphone

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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

Producer / engineer : Steve Earle, Lucinda Williams, Ray Davies, Nanci Griffith, Billy Joe Shaver, Ron Sexsmith, Jack Ingram, Reckless Kelly, Todd Snyder and many other great artists.

AVANT ELECTRONICS is honored that Ray was so excited about the BV-1 mic and we thank him for his enthusiasm,  suggestions, and countless hours of rigorous studio sessions as he put it through the paces.

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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-Butter-Cream 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…

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Watch for the September 14, 2010 release of Robert Plant's new record BAND OF JOY....

Produced by Buddy Miller....ALL Roberts vocals were recorded with the AVANTONE BV-1 Microphone!

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“…a few days ago when I got my brand new AVANTONE BV-1 tube mic-- the flagship offering from these extremely capable people  …I was able to experience the full glory of plugging it in and hearing …OH MY FREAKING GOD!  There's definitely some kind of eerie magic at work, because when you hear yourself, you just burst into song, almost involuntarily... they should bottle these mics and sell them! …it's a bizarre sensation, but this mic makes you want to hear yourself, it lulls you into a sonically enticing place... this can't be legal, in some states...”

Joel Patterson : Engineer/Producer  (Gearslutz posting)

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"... today i set up five mics in my studio - i was curious and excited to see how my new BV - 1 would compare to mics i'd been making records with for years - i won't mention any names, but i will say the mics in the "shoot out" included a couple of vintage classics that everyone in Nashville considers standard "go tos'" for vocals - i had an engineer friend of mind run the exercise and keep me in the dark so i wouldn't get  "drawn off sides"  - at the end of the day the BV 1 was left standing with one other mic favorite as the two i'll be using for vocals in the coming months - i was particularly impressed with the evenness of frequencies and solid reproduction (no hype), especially on up tempo singing, where the mid range in my voice tends to "read" a little unpleasant to my ear - good at any price and certainly a must have for the money - great job guys - "

Kix Brooks - Brooks and Dunn 

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"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… I think the BV-1 kit is a tremendous value and a great sounding addition to any studio mic locker. I hate to give it up!"

Barry Rudolph : (Grammy winning Engineer/Producer)

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The AVANTONE “B-Series” BV-1 Microphone offers premium sonic performance and flexibility at a stunningly affordable price.

The beautiful BV-1 has a “Retro/Butter-Cream” finish with polished Nickel trim that exudes elegance that is equaled by the audio performance.

A low-noise, hand selected 6072A tube is used as well as premium grade capacitors and resistors in order to provide the professional engineer an incredible microphone.

The edge-terminated, custom designed & voiced 34mm / 3 micron dual capsule assembly offers exceptional sensitivity with a very open, rich texture . Plenty of smooth, airy top end without being “edgy” or harsh.

A custom design “USA MADE” CineMag output transformer was developed  because of its rich, yet linear output.

Design, Final Assembly, and QC testing  done with care in Sunny Southern California, USA !

Finally…. A Beautiful, affordable “boutique mic “ that rivals the performance of a vintage mic!

   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 & Faux  Alligator Trim - Retro Styled, plush-lined  Carrying Case

Transformer Made in USA by:

Cable from GOTHAM AUDIO

USA Made connectors from:

 


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"


REVIEWS:

  by Rob Tavaglione
StudioAuditions.com by Joel Patterson
by Eli Crews
 NEW TOYS     by Barry Rudolph

RECORDING MAGAZINE  by Paul Vnuk Jr

by Paul White
 


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5 Year Warranty
Copyright © 2009 AVANT ELECTRONICS - All Rights Reserved  
All design, technical specifications and pricing are subject to change without notice. E&OE