12 Gauge Microphones – Red12

When you got hit by a bullet, it’s time to say goodbye.

Not this time. A new addition to the gearworld comes from the US. Like already posted here on blog.georgenecola.com, I ordered a pair. Now after several tests I am sure I made the right choice.

Technicalities:
The microphone capsule is built into a bullet-shell. Maybe one of the most massive housings ever. As a following of a discussion on gearslutz, the microphone capsule is wired unbalanced to the XLR-jacks. As a result there could be a problem with certain microphone preamps. I didn’t experienced any problems at all with 4 different preamp models (daking, shadow hills mono gama, api 512c, symetrix).

Sound:
Having the costs in mind (70 bucks + shipping) my expectations were quite low.  What I used it on, was for recording drum room sounds, ambient vocals sound and guitars. Heavy electric distorted guitars.
It behaved well on drum rooms. The mic was not that much noisy (I usually slam and crush drum room signals with a chandler compressor) and it had an even balance of lows and highs. On electric guitars the mic clipped easily. I believe that’s due to the capsule (which might be a phillips capsule like in the earthworks microphones?). No problem I moved it some feet away from the speakers and recorded some ambience. Nice topend for a such a cheap mic, the mids were relaxed and the lowend was a bit boomy but in reality that might be my room + omni mic (I do not record much stuff with omnis).

Ambience vocal-recording turned out well. The particular female singer seemed to be well blent from the 12gauge to the close mic.

Conclusion:
Not much to say. Buy it. Now.
Great mic, hand made in the US by Brad Martin, great sound, great price point. If you like to hunt something, you can impress your hunter friends, if not, it’s a good idea to avoid the police if you walk around with your freshly bought microphones. 😉