The Vanguard V1 is a multi-capsule FET pencil condenser microphone. Lovingly crafted by experts over several years, it is designed to be a versatile, reliable, professional tool for any recording engineer, studio, producer, or artist. 4 total custom-voiced capsules – in both small- and large-diaphragm formats, and with multiple pickup patterns – allow for a cornucopia of tonal variations for virtually any sound source or recording situation. With a “straight-wire” circuit design, premium cryogenically-treated FET componentry, an unparalleled selection of capsules, and a heavy-duty VSSM shockmount, the V1 will be your new studio workhorse.
Performance
We designed the V1 with the character and versatility of iconic pencil condensers in mind, while also utilizing modern technology & design to meet the demands of today’s recording professionals.
The V1 kit was created to be an incredibly flexible and adaptable microphone system. Three 22mm capsules – cardioid, hypercardioid, and omnidirectional – not only have different pickup patterns, but different voicings as well, allowing for a variety of instruments and scenarios. Additionally, we include our PATENT-PENDING V34C “Lolli” multi-pattern large-diaphragm capsule assembly. The Lolli houses a 34mm custom-voiced dual-capsule assembly with 3 pickup patterns, making the V1 even more handy.
After hundreds of hours of listening and testing exhaustive design variations with world-class engineers, we can confidently say that this microphone will vastly exceed the performance of other pencil condenser microphones in its price range, and rival the performance of microphones costing several times more.
Design
The VANGUARD V1 is very different from other microphones in its price range. It is designed and precision-built in limited quantities to “no-compromise” standards, with final assembly and 100% testing taking place here in Southern California.
Our small-diaphragm capsules begin with a 20mm 4µm gold-sputtered Mylar diaphragm, carefully positioned in front of a precision-machined, custom-voiced backplate and phase shift assembly. The specially-designed housing brings the diaphragm as close as possible to the front of the assembly to prevent comb filtering.
The V34C Lolli houses an extra-large 34mm edge-terminated, gold-sputtered 3µm Mylar dual-capsule assembly which is custom-voiced with a proprietary hand-tuning process. We then place it in a shockmount saddle nestled in a retro-aesthetic chassis, which is CNC-machined from solid aircraft-grade aluminum billets. Open-weave mesh, carefully radiused interior, and precision-machined venting prevent standing reflections and allow for an “open-air” voicing. We engineered the V34C Lolli head to spin 360 degrees while mounted on the V1, allowing for quick Y-axis positioning adjustments with no futzing around with mic stands.
We then designed a transformer-coupled solid-state circuit that matches the unique musical properties of our capsules and loaded it with premium-grade, over-spec components sourced from manufacturers around the world. We cryogenically treated critical components in the signal & power paths, including an ultra-high-grade FET with incredibly low noise. The circuit is designed with an “In = Out” philosophy, with very few components present in the signal path. As a result, the microphone’s lower output allows for your preamp character to shape the final tone of your tracking.
Aesthetically, the precision-machined brass body is coated with our signature Pinot Noir, finished with a deep, lustrous gloss, and accented by polished nickel trim and a precision-cast Vanguard badge. Your V1’s serial number is laser-engraved on the lower rear of the microphone. The V34C housing harkens back to the classic broadcast microphones of yesteryear, and both grills can be aligned either vertically or horizontally simply by removing two screws.
The V1 was designed by a team of experts with more than 65 years of experience and vetted by award-winning engineers and producers.
Quality
The V1 was designed in the USA, and undergoes final assembly in sunny Southern California. We perform 100% quality control – every single piece of your V1 kit undergoes a series of stringent audio and visual tests here in Southern California before being hand-packed.
Every part of the V1 was designed to be robust and reliable. Wherever possible, components were over-specced. The deep-cycle cryogenic treatment improves the lifespan and performance of critical electronic components. Brass, steel, aluminum, and zinc are part of the heavy-duty construction. You want your recording tools to be reliable, durable, and rugged, and so do we! Every Vanguard microphone is backed by our FIVE-YEAR WARRANTY.
Accessories:
We’ve already mentioned the capsules, but let’s list them here:
- small-diaphragm 22mm Cardioid
- small-diaphragm 22mm Hypercardioid
- small-diaphragm 22mm Omnidirectional
- large-diaphragm V34C “Lolli” 34mm Multi-Pattern
When you buy a V1, you also get a VSSM Heavy-Duty Shockmount. We wanted to rethink the standard “tube” design that was popularized by our chief designer in the late 2000s. First is the windowed design of the shockmount, which allows you to access switches on microphones without affecting positioning. Second, we install aerospace-grade suspension rings that won’t break, sag, crack, or stretch over time. The rings can be positioned either vertically/horizontally or diagonally, to tightly hold microphones of varying diameter. The V1 has slight insets machined into the body, so the rings “lock in” easily to the microphone for a more secure hold. The main body and knob are precision-cast from a high-grade zinc alloy, while the pivot is cast from high-impact ABS to maintain a better grip (your shockmount shouldn’t require a little blue pill). The pivot is also inset with both 5/8″-24 and 3/8″-16 threads to be compatible with any microphone stand. This shockmount was designed to fit any microphone with a diameter under 30mm, so it can be used with several brands of microphone, including almost any pencil microphone and even high-end “tube-style” ribbon microphones.
Finally, we included a windscreen for outdoor recording situations.
When not in use, your V1 should be stored in its padded pinewood box.
The stereo V1S kit comes with two V1 microphone kits with all the aforementioned trimmings, plus a stereo microphone bar and a combo-lock aluminum carrying case.