IN-DEPTH REVIEW
Hear the NUDE C12 across a real recording workflow
Mike Enjo of Creative Sauce puts the microphone through a practical review.
NUDE C12 Variable-Pattern Tube Microphone
Rich tube character. Detailed sound. Variable pattern control.
The NUDE C12 Variable-Pattern Tube Microphone pairs a dual-sided 33 mm capsule with ECC83/12AX7 tube circuitry, transformer-isolated output and remote polar-pattern control from omni through figure-8.
Low Cost, Superb Sonic Quality Microphones.
NUDE C12 Variable-Pattern Tube Microphone
Sale price$600.00 USD
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THE BIG TUBE MICROPHONE
Warm without losing the detail.
The NUDE C12 Variable-Pattern Tube Microphone brings rich tube character, precise detail and flexible pickup control to vocals, instruments and room recording.
Its sound is warm and full with a clear, open top end. A dual-sided 33 mm centre-terminated capsule feeds an ECC83/12AX7 tube stage and transformer-isolated output.
The dedicated power supply provides remote variable polar-pattern control from omni through intermediate positions to figure-8, giving you practical control over room ambience, proximity effect and unwanted spill.
Use it on vocals, acoustic instruments, piano, guitar amplifiers, drum and ensemble room duties, and other sources where a detailed tube condenser and variable pickup pattern are useful. Its high SPL capability also makes it suitable for close placement on louder sources when used with appropriate gain staging.
Warm, detailed tube sound with the flexibility to change with the session.
WE LOVE LISTENING
Headphones On — How It Sounds
No grand claims. Just recordings. Put on headphones and listen for the weight through the lows and mids, the open top end and the way the tube microphone carries a vocal inside a mix.
VOCAL PERFORMANCE
Hear the C12 on a full vocal production
Stansbury performs a cover of Adele’s ‘Hello’ using the NUDE C12.
DRUM OVERHEAD RECORDING
Hear the NUDE C12 on drum overheads
A real-world drum overhead recording featuring the NUDE C12.
RECORDING APPLICATIONS
Perfect For
A tube microphone does not have to be a one-job vocal specialist. Change the pattern, move the microphone and let the room become part of the decision.
Vocals + voice-over
Warm body, natural presence and high-end sparkle, with pattern control to shape room tone and proximity.
Hear the vocalAcoustic guitar
Owner reports highlight a silky top end and strong results when the C12 is used as part of M/S acoustic-guitar setups.
Guitar amplifiers
Published headroom above 136 dB SPL makes close placement on loud amplifiers a practical option.
Double bass
Tube weight and an open top end can keep the instrument full while preserving articulation.
Drum overheads + mono kit
A useful way to capture the whole kit with body, transient detail and a little tube character.
Room + ensemble
Remote variable pattern control lets you decide how much room joins the source without moving to another microphone.
Close acoustic instruments
Use the pattern control to balance direct sound, proximity and spill on strings and other detailed sources.
Hear the reviewStereo + M/S work
Figure-8 capability makes the C12 useful in stereo techniques when paired with the right second microphone.
THE ENGINEERING, WITHOUT THE HOMEWORK
Four Numbers That Matter
Four specifications that explain the C12’s range and behaviour without turning the page into a data sheet.
Dual-sided capsule
A centre-terminated, dual-sided large-diaphragm capsule at the heart of the microphone.
Gold-sputtered Mylar
Published diaphragm thickness for the dual-sided capsule.
Maximum SPL
Published headroom for loud sources including close guitar-amplifier work.
Published frequency range
17 Hz–22 kHz ±3 dB, combining low-frequency extension with an open upper range.
GO DEEPER
Specifications & Frequency Response
View the full technical specifications
- Polar pattern
- Variable on PSU: omni through to figure-8, with intermediate positions
- Capsule
- Dual-sided 33 mm centre-terminated, gold-sputtered Mylar; 6.5 µm
- Tube
- ECC83 / 12AX7; military-grade Mullard long-plate type
- Frequency response
- 17 Hz–22 kHz ±3 dB
- Sensitivity
- -40 dBu ref. 1 V/Pa
- Output impedance
- 250 Ω at 1 kHz nominal; transformer-isolated
- Maximum SPL
- >136 dB at 0.5% THD, 1 kHz
- Equivalent noise level
- <15 dBA
- Signal-to-noise ratio
- 80 dB ref. 1 Pa
- Connection
- Proprietary 7-pin XLR to PSU; balanced 3-pin XLR audio output from PSU
- Power
- Dedicated power supply; phantom power not required
View the frequency response chart
Published frequency response: 17 Hz–22 kHz ±3 dB.
EVERYTHING IN THE BOX
Ready for the First Session
The NUDE C12 arrives as a complete tube-microphone system: microphone, dedicated PSU, 10 m 7-pin XLR cable, metal suspension mount, foam pop filter, IEC lead and protective aluminium flight case.
NUDE C12 microphone
The variable-pattern tube condenser at the centre of the system.
Aluminium flight case
Foam-cut storage for the complete system, including the 10 m 7-pin XLR cable, metal suspension mount, foam pop filter and IEC lead.
Dedicated power supply
Powers the microphone and provides remote variable polar-pattern control.
FROM NUDE OWNERS
A Tube Microphone Already at Work in Real Studios
Perspectives from engineers, producers and owners using the NUDE C12 on vocals, instruments and full sessions.
The high-end sheen it can bring to the table is very appealing… on M/S acoustic guitar it was so good there was an audible yelp of joy.
Through a simple, fat transformer-type preamp it was sublime — big controlled bottom, silky open highs and a lovely midrange.
Super silky highs without harshness, with rich, warm mids. Very impressive.
It exceeded expectations — silky highs, crisp, and a perfect vocal mic.
Used it on a vocalist for a jazz sextet and it was incredible.
It is smooth and silky while still cutting through the mix. Very impressive.
GOOD TO KNOW
NUDE C12 FAQs
The practical questions that come up before the first session.
Does the NUDE C12 need phantom power?
No. The NUDE C12 is powered by its dedicated external power supply. Phantom power is not required.
Where do I change the polar pattern?
The polar pattern is adjusted remotely on the supplied power supply, moving from omni through intermediate positions to figure-8.
What recording sources suit the NUDE C12?
The NUDE C12 is suitable for vocals, voice-over, acoustic instruments, piano, guitar amplifiers, drum rooms, ensembles and general room recording. Its variable polar patterns help control the balance between the source and the surrounding space.
Can I use it on loud sources?
Yes. The published maximum SPL is greater than 136 dB at 0.5% THD, 1 kHz, making close work on loud amplifiers and other high-level sources practical.
Is it suitable for vocals and voice-over?
Yes. Vocals are one of its strongest applications: a warm, natural body with an open top end, plus variable pattern control to change the balance of direct voice, proximity and room.
What tube does the NUDE C12 use?
The published design uses an ECC83 / 12AX7 tube, specified as a military-grade Mullard long-plate type.
READY WHEN YOU ARE
Put a Big Tube Voice at the Centre of Your Mic Locker
Variable patterns, high SPL capability and the warm, open character that makes a tube condenser useful long after the vocal session ends.
$600.00
In stock and ready to order
