The AKG D12 VR Large-Diaphragm Cardioid Dynamic Microphone features an active mode with switchable filtering as well as a normal passive mode. Designed specifically for kick-drum recording applications, the microphone has a thin diaphragm to enhance the low-frequency performance. Without phantom power, the microphone is designed to deliver the natural character of the sound source. With phantom power enabled, one of three switchable active-filter presets can be used to quickly adapt the microphone response to suit the desired kick-drum sound. The filter setting can be controlled, using a switch on the microphone body. In this active mode the output level is also reduced by 10 dB automatically.