Avantone Pro

Avantone Pro began in 2003 as Avant Electronics, founded in Upland, California by Sue and Ken Avant, with Sue as CEO and Ken as chief product designer. Its first products were the passive MixCube monitors and microphone accessories, officially introduced at Summer NAMM in 2006. The MixCube is an updated version of the Auratone 5C, a passive speaker with a single 5-inch driver that was found in most major studios in the 1970s; active versions and a black finish came later.

In 2010 Sue Avant stepped down and the name briefly changed to Avantone Audio, and in June 2011 it officially became Avantone Pro under Glen Heffner, with headquarters moved to New York; accounts differ on who led it afterward. The CV-12 is a large-diaphragm tube condenser with nine polar patterns, a brass body and dual 32 mm gold-sputtered capsules, widely praised for its value.

Most recently Avantone Pro launched the GTR-100, a two-channel Class A/B power amp for guitarists who use modelers, with up to 100 watts per channel at 8 ohms, XLR thru outputs and a switchable 4-band EQ; retail prices vary by seller. Guitar Radar follows the GTR-100 and new products for modeler users.