 This is the new C12, a clone of one of the world's most renowned microphones, and I think you are probably asking the wrong question about it. Hi folks, I'm Mike and I hope you're well. The AKG C12 is one of the most renowned microphones in history, being a favourite of people like Prince, Alana Smoreset and Tom Petty to name but a few. It's had a few variations over the years and there's also been OEM versions by Siemens and Telefunken. It's also one of the more expensive microphones around but we'll discuss that later. Now the new C12 clone is a lot less expensive but is it any good? Well I've been putting it through its paces on a number of different sources and I'll be playing a demo of that later on in this video. But first of all, let's discuss this term clone. The new C12 does nod its head to the physical characteristics of the AKG C12. And like that microphone, it's also a multi-polar pattern microphone and uses a tube or a valve. But have they cloned the AKG C12 part for part? Well in a word, no. Nude and Australian companies say they have cloned the sonic fingerprint of the AKG C12 at a much lower cost. Now the lower cost is definitely not in question but does it sound like an AKG C12? Is there even the right question to be asking? Well look at that later but first let's take a look at the nude C12 clone. Physically the nude C12 as well, nude, without a logo in sight. And no matter how refined it may sound, it's 24cm of heavy metal. A quick look inside revealed that it's powered by a 12AX7 also known as an ECC83 tube. Now the large case that this mic comes in reveals a nice metal shock mount, a foam windshield and a power supply. So this is going to work with preamps that have no phantom power. This not only supplies the power to the mic but it also allows you to select from the 9 different polar patterns. These patterns make use of the mic's dual headed 33mm capsule. For the nerds amongst you here are the sound specs, but for me it's all about the sound. In order to discover how this microphone sounds I decided to use it on many different sources. Over the course of about one and a half minutes you're going to hear it used on female vocals, male vocals, acoustic guitar, electric guitar amp, a bass guitar amp, a cajon, some drumsticks and a shaker. Oh by the way, Mackenzie's whole black peppercorns are not sponsors of this video. So give it a listen and let me know what you think of its sound in the comments down below. The current price of the AKG C12 on Sweetwater is... $6,659 US dollars. Now if you could get a clone at say half that price or 20% of that price you'd be in bargain territory, right? Well how about 6% of that price? At $439 US dollars that's the territory that the new C12 clone is in. So it definitely competes on price but does it sound like a C12? I mean is that even the right question to be asking? Sure, it's a fair question to ask when a company describes a microphone as a clone. But I want you to ask yourself, given the demo that you've already heard, considering the price point of this microphone, consider its features and the fact that it's also a tube microphone. And do you think this is just a great microphone in its own right? Let me know what you think in the comments down below. For me personally, for that price, $439 US dollars, the multi-patterns a tube microphone, I think this is really a great addition to any home studio. Now I had this microphone plugged into an Audion ASP 800 mic preamp. I've made a video about that preamp right here. It really is a modern day classic in my opinion. You should check that out now.