Vanguard V1 Pencil Condenser Microphone Kit

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.

FEATURES

• Capsule & Electronics
• 4 small-diaphragm 22mm capsule assemblies – cardioid, wide cardioid, hypercardioid, omnidirectional
• Transformer-balanced solid-state circuit
• Ultra low-noise high-quality JFET and other premium-grade components
• Deep-cycle cryogenic treatment of critical signal & power path components
• Transformer-balanced output – custom-wound humbucking dual-bobbin transformer
• Works via 48V phantom power

• Construction
• Heavy-duty brass, aircraft-grade aluminum, steel, and zinc construction
• Each V1 comes with its own laser-engraved serial number
• Over-spec componentry
• Deep-gloss Pinot Noir finish
• Polished nickel trim
• Precision-cast Vanguard badge
• Final Assembly & 100% Quality Control in California, USA
• 5-Year Warranty

• Accessories Included
• 22mm removable capsule – Cardioid
• 22mm removable capsule – Hypercardioid
• 22mm removable capsule – Omnidirectional
• 22mm removable capsule - Wide Cardioid
• VSSM small shockmount
• Removable windscreen
• Padded pinewood microphone storage box
• Locking aluminum carrying case (stereo kit only)
• Stereo microphone bar (stereo kit only)

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. Four 22mm capsules – cardioid, wide cardioid, hypercardioid, and omnidirectional – not only have different pickup patterns, but different voicings as well, allowing for a variety of instruments and scenarios.

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.

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 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 – 4µm diaphragm
• small-diaphragm 22mm Hypercardioid – 4µm diaphragm
• small-diaphragm 22mm Omnidirectional – 4µm diaphragm
• small-diaphragm 22mm Wide Cardioid - 4µm diaphragm

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.