---
product_id: 1781998
title: "512C"
brand: "api"
price: "C$107327"
currency: NIO
in_stock: true
reviews_count: 2
url: https://www.desertcart.ni/products/1781998-512c
store_origin: NI
region: Nicaragua
---

# Corded electric power source Professional XLR connectivity Unidirectional polar pattern 512C

**Brand:** api
**Price:** C$107327
**Availability:** ✅ In Stock

## Summary

> 🎤 Own the room with every word — sound like a pro, feel the vibe!

## Quick Answers

- **What is this?** 512C by api
- **How much does it cost?** C$107327 with free shipping
- **Is it available?** Yes, in stock and ready to ship
- **Where can I buy it?** [www.desertcart.ni](https://www.desertcart.ni/products/1781998-512c)

## Best For

- api enthusiasts

## Why This Product

- Trusted api brand quality
- Free international shipping included
- Worldwide delivery with tracking
- 15-day hassle-free returns

## Key Features

- • **Compact & Versatile:** Table array form factor fits perfectly on your desk, ideal for podcasts, meetings, and streaming.
- • **Focused Sound Pickup:** Unidirectional polar pattern isolates your voice, cutting out distracting background noise.
- • **Reliable Power Supply:** Corded electric power source guarantees uninterrupted performance during critical moments.
- • **Seamless Pro Integration:** XLR connector compatibility with mixers and audio interfaces for studio-grade setups.
- • **Crystal-Clear Audio Capture:** 65 dB signal-to-noise ratio ensures your voice stands out with pristine clarity.

## Overview

The 512C is a corded electric microphone featuring a 65 dB signal-to-noise ratio and a unidirectional polar pattern for focused, clear audio capture. Equipped with a professional XLR connector, it seamlessly integrates with mixers and audio interfaces. Its compact table array design makes it perfect for professional streaming, podcasting, and conference calls.

## Description

API 512C Discrete Mic / Line Pre Offering low noise (-129 EIN) and 65 dB of gain, the 512c includes phantom power, and switchable polarity, -20 dB pad and Mic or Instrument/Line selector. Front panel XLR and 1/4 inch connectors combined with rear panel mic access allows for additional flexibility when installed into an API lunchbox, API's 10 position 500V vertical rack, or an API console. The API 512c remains faithful to the circuit designs of API's founder, Saul Walker. Fully featured and still hand assembled, the 512c carefully preserves the original sound character that made it so much a part of the early days of recording. Offering high headroom and a wide variety of inputs and input access points, it is equally at home in the commercial recording studio as it is in the home project studio. The 512c Mic/Line Preamp makes use of the 2520 op-amp and therefore exhibits the reliability, long life, and uniformity which are characteristic of all API products.

## Features

- Corded Electric Power Source: The microphone is powered by a corded electric power source.
- High Signal-to-Noise Ratio: The microphone has a signal-to-noise ratio of 65 decibels for clear audio.
- Unidirectional Polar Pattern: The microphone has a unidirectional polar pattern for picking up sound from a single direction.
- XLR Connector: The microphone has an XLR connector for connecting to a mixer or other audio equipment.
- Single Channel: The microphone is a single channel model for capturing audio in one direction.

## Technical Specifications

| Specification | Value |
|---------------|-------|
| Power Source | Corded Electric |
| Signal-to-Noise Ratio | 65 dB |
| Audible Noise | 65 dB |
| Number of Channels | 1 |
| Polar Pattern | Unidirectional |
| Audio Sensitivity | 65 dB |
| Microphone Form Factor | Table Array |
| Connectivity Technology | XLR |
| Connector Type | XLR |
| Special Features | XLR |
| Compatible Devices | Personal Computer, Laptop, Speaker, Amplifier, Audio Interface |
| Item Dimensions | 11 x 7 x 5 inches |

## Product Details

- **Recommended Uses For Product:** Voice Recording, Speech
- **Brand:** API
- **Model Name:** 512c
- **Connectivity Technology:** XLR
- **Connector Type:** XLR
- **Special Feature:** XLR
- **Compatible Devices:** Personal Computer, Laptop, Speaker, Amplifier, Audio Interface
- **Included Components:** Microphone
- **Polar Pattern:** Unidirectional
- **Audio Sensitivity:** 65 dB

## Images

![512C - Image 1](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/81HhJCl446L.jpg)

## Questions & Answers

**Q: Does this connect to computer using a USB?**
A: No. API 512c connects to API Lunchbox only.

**Q: what happens if you max out the gain knob? could that be bad?**
A: It will distort the preamp, you will not hurt the preamp. You could blow your speakers if you are monitoring. The preamp is used for distortion by many people as an effect.

## Customer Reviews

### ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ One of the best!
*by M***T on June 28, 2022*

I bought one through the retailer here…Vintage King, and also one through Alto. If you’re looking at this you know what it is. Comparing it to any other preamp in this league is apple to oranges. I actually sold mine awhile back, and kept a Neve for a long time. But ended up buying another API512C, as it’s just that good!It’s like this, the API 512c is great for fast transient instruments. Guitar, keyboards, drums ect. It’s great even with DI guitars if you are using a Tech 21 pedal or a guitar box before it. It’s very flavorful and focuses on mid range punch. That’s what all those instruments have in common. It imparts a Sonic signature, when stacked multiple times. Very clear and colorful at the same time. It’s a must have in the studio. However it’s not my first go to on Vocals, but could be still used. I just feel it would do be good on Metal or Punk singer to cut in the mix.This is where a Neve comes in! It’s big, robust and sounds great on vocals. Not a fan of it on DI guitars, but is good on mic guitars. It also has more low mids, and not the fast transient snap the API pre has. So it’s not really one or the other, you want both if possible. In conclusion I’d say if your mainly tracking instruments, this is what you want! If you’re mainly tracking just vocals, while this is still a decent contender. I personally look a The Great River or Neve flavor for a dedicated vocal chain. Also the API has more than enough gain for SM7B, and other usual suspect with no issue. It’ll make your normal SM57/58 sound leagues better than a typical cheap interface preamp.

### ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ The API 525 mic pre is a beast!
*by A***R on May 27, 2016*

Excellent sounding mic pre!

## Frequently Bought Together

- API 512C
- Amazon Basics XLR Male to Female Microphone Cable for Speaker or PA System, All Copper Conductors, 6MM PVC Jacket, 6 Foot, Black
- Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 Studio 3rd Gen USB Audio Interface Bundle for the Songwriter with Condenser Microphone and Headphones for Recording, Streaming and Podcasting

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**Shop now:** [https://www.desertcart.ni/products/1781998-512c](https://www.desertcart.ni/products/1781998-512c)

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*Product available on Desertcart Nicaragua*
*Store origin: NI*
*Last updated: 2026-03-08*