BeesNeez Tribute 5 Microphone (C12)

The BeesNeez Tribute 5 is our faithful tribute to the AKG* C12 Microphone that was introduced to the recording community in 1953. The C12 is rightly considered by many to be amongst the best microphones ever created and is thus worthy of a tribute. Over the decades, countless hits have been recorded with this wonderful microphone. Whether or not you’ve heard the original, you are going to fall in love with the Tribute 5 (C12) tribute. It is built for a lifetime and is made entirely in our Australian factory.

The transformer in the Tribute 5 is a 13:1 tape wound mumetal toroidal transformer. The advantage of this transformer for this type of microphone is that we were able to reduce turn count and increase wire size, thus reducing DCR [DC resistance], while maintaining correct impedance conversion. The benefits of using a toroidal transformer are many, though with benefits come difficulties. If a toroidal transformer is made well, its specifications are simply unbeatable, as the entire core is encased by the windings leaving no area open for leakage. However, the core must be large enough to ensure it doesn’t saturate too early. Our core size, though quite large, still makes a reasonably compact toroidal transformer that is perfect for this microphone. Its characteristics are very smooth with no frequency ring or non-linear response within the listening curve. We use pure copper to wind these toroidals and each one is painstakingly wound by our BeesNeez staff in our BeesNeez factory.

The capsule in the Tribute 5 is the BeesNeez CK12, like the original AKG CK12, this multi-chambered capsule is without doubt the most complicated capsule available and the accuracy that is achieved is only possible with the best possible machining and care.

The tube in the Tribute 5 is the 6072A NOS.

Sonic Characteristics

The C12 is remembered for it’s three dimensional sound characteristics and its very special high frequency capture. These sonic traits are very difficult to reproduce, because of the complex engineering behind the C12 microphone capsule, the CK12. Like the C12, our Tribute 5 has a wonderful 3 dimensional sound and great high-end response, largely due to our faithful re-creation of the BeesNeez CK12 microphone capsule.

Build Quality

The Tribute 5 body tube is made from a single piece of cold-formed 380 grade brass tube. We love using the 380 grade brass tube in this particular microphone because the high copper content in the 380 tube provides excellent rejection and shielding. After machining the body, it is sent to a local powder coater for completion. The head grille is cut from bronze cast and machined to a mirror finish. The mesh windows are then removed during the same process before the head grille is sent off for medical-grade nickel plating. The base, like the body tube, is made from 380 grade brass. However, this time it’s a solid brass round that we cut and form in our very own 8-axis turning center. Our proprietary swivel mount connector features a gold-pinned Bakelite socket. Our pins are turned rather than pressed. The advantage here is a lifetime of connection without degradation.

What’s Included:

▶  Tribute 5 Condenser Microphone
▶  Swivel Mount Connector and Lead
▶  BeesNeez Tribute Series Power Supply
▶  Wooden Box

Specifications