Avantone Pro CR-14

I use this mic to record acoustic violin via https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01E6T56EA/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o01_s01?ie=UTF8&psc=1. This is by no means a professional setup but I'm guessing if you're reading this, you're not a professional either.The reason I take points away is because how difficult it is to get proper positioning of my instrument for the sound to come out clean and full-bodied. My Scarlett 2i2 doesn't quite power it enough to pick up the nuances of the instrument and in most cases, I can barely get any clean signal into my DAW. I don't really blame Avantone for this, it's a ribbon mic after all and so I need to power it better. But as mentioned above, I don't like that this mic requires so much specific angling to get a true sound out of it. When I'm performing a piece to record, the last thing I want to think about is how my instrument is facing the microphone.It's a lukewarm to no recommendation from me.UPDATE: I added a star to this review because I felt it was unfair to blame Avantone for having to position the mic correctly. It's really not that big a deal in hindsight and when the instrument faces the mic or its back, the sound is pretty consistent and quite natural for the setup I have. After a few months of use, I realized that I actually like the sound it produces and so I believe this is, at minimum, a 4-star product.

Great Mic for the price. Sounds great with nice body on the lower mids. It has a more top than other ribbon mics I've heard but make no mistake, it has that warm ribbon sound if that's what you're going for. I also had no problem getting a decent level (without a cloudlifter) using the stock preamps from my audio interface. Although, I should mention that my audio interface has very clean preamps with a decent amount of gain. The shockmount is nice and it comes with a nice wooden case and even plastic road case.The only reason I gave it a four is that you need to spend some time getting the perfect placement with this mic. Since there's more top end than other ribbon mics, it won't tame the highs as well on some of the harsher instruments if you place it a little too close to the source (whereas some other ribbons can be a more forgiving).I often use the CR-14 as room mic with a spot mic on Violin, Cello, Flute, etc.but I do occasionally use it without a spot when I want a more roomy sound or need to tame the highs completely.It's a figure 8 of course so it pickups up a decent amount of room so that should be taken into consideration with is usage.All in all, it's a great mic and I couldn't be happier.

Received it, pulled it out of the case it came in and when I put it right side up I heard nothing but little tiny metal sounding rattling inside the microphone didn't even try to plug it in and see if it works I know that ribbon microphones are sensitive as it is.. but there shouldn't be any dingling rattling sounds coming from the microphone when you move it. it came damaged right out of the box.. as for quality it sucks as for sound sound I'll never know

Love this mic! I use it to record acoustic and vocals. Under $300, I've tried multiple Shure's, Audio Technica's, Blue's, Sennheiser's, Rode's, and this one is definitely my favorite.

The mic came in DOA, thought they checked them out when they arrived in the US...guess this slipped though the cracks. May order another one, gonna mull it over first. Not an Amazon issue, they’re first class.