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Post by Omicron9 on Aug 21, 2023 10:41:27 GMT -6
A V44S has been on my list for a couple of years. When I saw the first post about this version, I was glad I waited. Until I saw the price. The V44S remains on the acquisition list; this one does not. Not casting aspersions on its worth; only that it's well out of my price range.
Personal preference side note: I hope they don't dunk this one in the hideous MXL-ish red paint. If so: $9k mic becomes $100. mic. Visually, I mean. Again, personal preference. What would truly be cool is if they offered all their mics with or without the MXL paint. I know some folks like it. Me, not so much.
-09
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Post by vanguardaudiolabs on Aug 21, 2023 10:49:47 GMT -6
A V44S has been on my list for a couple of years. When I saw the first post about this version, I was glad I waited. Until I saw the price. The V44S remains on the acquisition list; this one does not. Personal preference side note: I hope they don't dunk this one in the hideous MXL-ish red paint. If so: $8k mic becomes $100. mic. Visually, I mean. Again, personal preference. What would truly be cool is if they offered all their mics with or without the MXL paint. I know some folks like it. -09 MXL red? You wound me, sir  we do a high-gloss automotive finish based on a "black cherry" color. The classic car aesthetic. Hopefully not as garish as the clown-nose color you're describing… http://instagram.com/p/CuHgHuwALIZ That said, we're doing raw stainless steel with a grained #4 finish for the V24. See here: http://instagram.com/p/Cr0j9JxPDig |
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Post by vanguardaudiolabs on Aug 21, 2023 10:53:04 GMT -6
hilariously, i'm wearing a Benson Sound Labs tee instead. maybe you should be the CEO, you seem to be more brand-conscious Thanks for the kind words RE: the V44S ward, glad it's treating you well! I found out the other day Aaron Sterling has used it as the room mic for basically everything he's tracked at home since he's gotten it, which means it's been on John Mayer's Sob Rock, etc. so that was a neat feeling. |
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Post by Omicron9 on Aug 21, 2023 10:55:07 GMT -6
A V44S has been on my list for a couple of years. When I saw the first post about this version, I was glad I waited. Until I saw the price. The V44S remains on the acquisition list; this one does not. Personal preference side note: I hope they don't dunk this one in the hideous MXL-ish red paint. If so: $8k mic becomes $100. mic. Visually, I mean. Again, personal preference. What would truly be cool is if they offered all their mics with or without the MXL paint. I know some folks like it. -09 MXL red? You wound me, sir we do a high-gloss automotive finish based on a "black cherry" color. The classic car aesthetic. Hopefully not as garish as the clown-nose color you're describing… http://instagram.com/p/CuHgHuwALIZ That said, we're doing raw stainless steel with a grained #4 finish for the V24. See here: http://instagram.com/p/Cr0j9JxPDig The only clown nose is likely on my own face.  Apologies, Derek; no wound intended. Just a still small voice from the cheap seats. Maybe offering both options could be a consideration for you going forward. Again... cheap seats... disclaimers.... etc..... PS: I couldn't see the pics in your posting. |
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Post by Ward on Aug 21, 2023 11:05:24 GMT -6
hilariously, i'm wearing a Benson Sound Labs tee instead. maybe you should be the CEO, you seem to be more brand-conscious Thanks for the kind words RE: the V44S ward, glad it's treating you well! I found out the other day Aaron Sterling has used it as the room mic for basically everything he's tracked at home since he's gotten it, which means it's been on John Mayer's Sob Rock, etc. so that was a neat feeling. HAHAHAHAHAH!! Tell him the 'Silver Sky' guitar inspired the color of the V24 LOL |
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Post by vanguardaudiolabs on Aug 21, 2023 11:25:07 GMT -6
MXL red? You wound me, sir we do a high-gloss automotive finish based on a "black cherry" color. The classic car aesthetic. Hopefully not as garish as the clown-nose color you're describing… http://instagram.com/p/CuHgHuwALIZ That said, we're doing raw stainless steel with a grained #4 finish for the V24. See here: http://instagram.com/p/Cr0j9JxPDig The only clown nose is likely on my own face. Apologies, Derek; no wound intended. Just a still small voice from the cheap seats. Maybe offering both options could be a consideration for you going forward. Again... cheap seats... disclaimers.... etc..... PS: I couldn't see the pics in your posting. Hi, try these links. For whatever reason the embed is not working. V44S and V24
no worries, we've thought about doing black or steel offerings on the other mics, but haven't had a chance to realize that yet. I can only fry one egg at a time!  |
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Post by drsax on Aug 21, 2023 14:09:49 GMT -6
yeah, mine are Teflon capsules. A great sounding mic though. I have been thinking about messing around with it for ambisonoc stuff. Maybe if I ever get some free time, lol. It’s an interesting design with the multi-cable connected to the breakout box with the 4 xlr’s on it. I think the Teflon capsules get a bit underrated because people miss the brass ones. the teflons can sound very good in the right circuit. IMO, the newer absurdly-complex 414 circuits are not necessarily that. At least they did away with those bloody 5-way switches, though, terrible durability on those switches. I replaced quite a few when i was teching independently. That and the shedding box foam gave me a fair bit of business back then! hah! That pesky foam, lol. And Agreed about the Teflon ck12 needing the right circuit. I have a couple Teflon ck12 mics and honestly, they sound great. |
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Post by christophert on Aug 21, 2023 17:05:56 GMT -6
Tried to keep the sonic fingerprint identical from gen1 to gen2. Some (but not all) of the differences, in no particular order: 1) switch to much more expensive US-made low-noise resistors dropped the noise floor even lower by 2-3dB per mic model 2) a more robust PSU transformer gives the tube a bit more room to breathe 3) neutrik group interconnects, including REAN cables 4) stainless steel construction on everything, including the new PSU design 5) fun new PCB easter eggs everywhere. I design the PCBs, so the silkscreen layer gets some fun stuff on it. 6) we standardized all our chassis platforms, so the V4 and V44S got about 20% bigger, and the V13 got about 5% bigger, but they're all in 50mm outer diameter tubing now (the headgrills are 52mm). Part of that was metric rawmat sizing, part of it is using the newer bigger resistors. I'm absolutely THRILLED to have a gen 2 V44s I don't even bother with other room mics now when recording drums. The V44s in Blumlein or even XY out 8' or more in front of the kit picks up everything and makes EVERYTHING sound better. I think you're on to something here, Derek, and expect nothing less than RAVE reviews about the V24! You know it's on my list. The V44s gen2 is a great priced versatile stereo mic, lots of great reviews - very keen on one |
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Post by vanguardaudiolabs on Aug 22, 2023 5:51:43 GMT -6
I'm absolutely THRILLED to have a gen 2 V44s I don't even bother with other room mics now when recording drums. The V44s in Blumlein or even XY out 8' or more in front of the kit picks up everything and makes EVERYTHING sound better. I think you're on to something here, Derek, and expect nothing less than RAVE reviews about the V24! You know it's on my list. The V44s gen2 is a great priced versatile stereo mic, lots of great reviews - very keen on one We were really happy with the reception to the gen2 V44S. I know I’ve said it 18 times on this thread but stereo mics are a niche tool and we didn’t really know what to expect in terms of demand. It’s been a pleasant surprise and it’s super cool how many interesting use cases you all have discovered for them. The Childrens Choir of Great Britain, Abbey Road string sessions, live recordings of classical ensembles…we’ve also found a lot of traction with fingerstyle acoustic guitarists. I was also very pleased that I figured out a way to expand to 120° of rotation without comprising durability. The previous iteration only went to 90°. That extra rotation was probably the most-requested feature for gen1. |
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Post by Ward on Aug 22, 2023 7:47:53 GMT -6
The V44s gen2 is a great priced versatile stereo mic, lots of great reviews - very keen on one We were really happy with the reception to the gen2 V44S. I know I’ve said it 18 times on this thread but stereo mics are a niche tool and we didn’t really know what to expect in terms of demand. It’s been a pleasant surprise and it’s super cool how many interesting use cases you all have discovered for them. The Childrens Choir of Great Britain, Abbey Road string sessions, live recordings of classical ensembles…we’ve also found a lot of traction with fingerstyle acoustic guitarists. I was also very pleased that I figured out a way to expand to 120° of rotation without comprising durability. The previous iteration only went to 90°. That extra rotation was probably the most-requested feature for gen1. indeed an excellent point. 110º has always been my favorite for 'wide stereo' image capture. |
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Post by vanguardaudiolabs on Aug 22, 2023 9:45:53 GMT -6
We were really happy with the reception to the gen2 V44S. I know I’ve said it 18 times on this thread but stereo mics are a niche tool and we didn’t really know what to expect in terms of demand. It’s been a pleasant surprise and it’s super cool how many interesting use cases you all have discovered for them. The Childrens Choir of Great Britain, Abbey Road string sessions, live recordings of classical ensembles…we’ve also found a lot of traction with fingerstyle acoustic guitarists. I was also very pleased that I figured out a way to expand to 120° of rotation without comprising durability. The previous iteration only went to 90°. That extra rotation was probably the most-requested feature for gen1. indeed an excellent point. 110º has always been my favorite for 'wide stereo' image capture. Steve Genewick turned me on to Blumlein instead of XY in a good room. the stereo separation becomes much more apparent. He preferred the C24s in blumlein when he was at Capitol. |
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Post by drbill on Aug 22, 2023 12:07:51 GMT -6
A great mic or pair in blumlein is something special in a great room. My favorite mic for that being either M49's or a great (appropriate) ribbon. I still have not had a lot of opportunity to use my (I believe gen 1) V44S. The last few years have not allowed for recording drums which is why I bought it. Soon though.... May need to think about trading it in for a gen 2 though.... |
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Post by vanguardaudiolabs on Aug 22, 2023 12:37:29 GMT -6
A great mic or pair in blumlein is something special in a great room. My favorite mic for that being either M49's or a great (appropriate) ribbon. I still have not had a lot of opportunity to use my (I believe gen 1) V44S. The last few years have not allowed for recording drums which is why I bought it. Soon though.... May need to think about trading it in for a gen 2 though.... The gen1 is a great mic, and that's what Aaron Sterling is using. Easy way to tell is how far out the capsule goes - if it's 90º, it's a gen1. if it's 120º, it's a gen2 Some people have done some really clever stuff on drums with the V44S besides room and OH, like a stereo crotch mic! |
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Post by vanguardaudiolabs on Aug 22, 2023 12:44:44 GMT -6
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Post by paulcheeba on Aug 22, 2023 13:40:07 GMT -6
A great mic or pair in blumlein is something special in a great room. My favorite mic for that being either M49's or a great (appropriate) ribbon. I still have not had a lot of opportunity to use my (I believe gen 1) V44S. The last few years have not allowed for recording drums which is why I bought it. Soon though.... May need to think about trading it in for a gen 2 though.... I had my AEA 44’s in Blumlein with M49’s on the outside of the room and they create the most heaven sent reverb I’ve heard in my little church. Coils make it sound huge. |
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Post by paulcheeba on Aug 22, 2023 13:41:08 GMT -6
A great mic or pair in blumlein is something special in a great room. My favorite mic for that being either M49's or a great (appropriate) ribbon. I still have not had a lot of opportunity to use my (I believe gen 1) V44S. The last few years have not allowed for recording drums which is why I bought it. Soon though.... May need to think about trading it in for a gen 2 though.... I had my AEA 44’s in Blumlein with M49’s on the outside of the room and they create the most heaven sent reverb I’ve heard in my little church. Coils make it sound huge. |
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Post by drbill on Aug 22, 2023 13:43:22 GMT -6
A great mic or pair in blumlein is something special in a great room. My favorite mic for that being either M49's or a great (appropriate) ribbon. I still have not had a lot of opportunity to use my (I believe gen 1) V44S. The last few years have not allowed for recording drums which is why I bought it. Soon though.... May need to think about trading it in for a gen 2 though.... I had my AEA 44’s in Blumlein with M49’s on the outside of the room and they create the most heaven sent reverb I’ve heard in my little church. Coils make it sound huge. Nice Paul. A pair of M49's in blumlein @ Conway out in front of a big band is one of my most glorious memories. Spectacular. I bet your setup sounds really sweet!! The coils (70's I presume) would make that killer. |
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Post by andersmv on Aug 22, 2023 14:02:44 GMT -6
Since I've only got one Coil CA-70 and one CA-286 here, I've been playing around with the Vanguard V24 in M/S. Good God, that combo is great. Again, hearing a C12 through the Coil's is making me rethink my dislike for the C12 style of mics. Hopefully I'll have something cool to share tonight or tomorrow.
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Post by andersmv on Aug 23, 2023 0:51:17 GMT -6
Sneak peak! I realized I didn’t have any piano clips with the V24 and got a little carried away today…
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Post by mics on Aug 23, 2023 1:12:20 GMT -6
Nice!!!! Quite pretty and delicate. I like the way the air doesn’t overcrowd the presence.
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Post by vanguardaudiolabs on Aug 23, 2023 7:27:51 GMT -6
Sneak peak! I realized I didn’t have any piano clips with the V24 and got a little carried away today… Thanks a million Matt. Share with the audience what the stereo technique, pattern, and signal chain might be? The stereo separation on the piano is great, although my planar cans may have something to do with that. I'll have to run upstairs and grab my Ultrasones and see how it sounds through those. (I don't actually know the details, I prefer to let engineers run free with whatever reviews and tests they'd like. Best way to gauge a mic is in the real world.) |
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Post by andersmv on Aug 23, 2023 7:42:55 GMT -6
Piano was just X/Y with them in cardioid. You can see placement in the video, I wanted this a little warmer with a punchy low end, so faced right down at the sound board where the low and high strings intersect. The V24 was in the normal C12 mode going through a HendyAmps Warhol. Vocal went through the Coil CA-70 with the V24 in the 251 setting and cardioid. I was a little hesitant to try and do any vocals myself with this mic. I’ve traditionally sounded extremely sibilant and bad through C12 mics, a lot of that is just poor technique. Doubled down on the thicker Coil preamp as well as the high end roll off on the mic to be safe, it worked out really well.
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Post by vanguardaudiolabs on Aug 24, 2023 9:41:42 GMT -6
Piano was just X/Y with them in cardioid. You can see placement in the video, I wanted this a little warmer with a punchy low end, so faced right down at the sound board where the low and high strings intersect. The V24 was in the normal C12 mode going through a HendyAmps Warhol. Vocal went through the Coil CA-70 with the V24 in the 251 setting and cardioid. I was a little hesitant to try and do any vocals myself with this mic. I’ve traditionally sounded extremely sibilant and bad through C12 mics, a lot of that is just poor technique. Doubled down on the thicker Coil preamp as well as the high end roll off on the mic to be safe, it worked out really well. wide cardioid is my happy place on the V13 for the leaning toward the more natural-sounding high end of omni, but on the V24 I quite like the cardioid setting as the starter point. |
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Post by vanguardaudiolabs on Aug 25, 2023 8:26:47 GMT -6
FYI today's the day they go on preorder at 10am PST. Preorder deposit is refundable.
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Post by andersmv on Aug 28, 2023 9:22:06 GMT -6
I'm going to copy and paste what I wrote on the purple site. I'm finally done with all of these, what a crazy few weeks... Below is my full review of the V24. We coordinated with Coil Audio as well since I had their two preamps here to review, so I'll include the Part 2 video I did on the Coil Audio preamps as there's a lot of crossover.
If you liked the samples from the Bluegrass band, I've got a link in the video description for the full session files if you really want to dive deep. V24 aside, I would encourage everyone to watch the Coil Audio series as their preamps are amazing.
Between the Coils and V24, it was a pretty impressive signal chain. Really easy to get good sound, very quickly with minimal mixing involved. Obviously I don't have a vintage C24 or C12 here, so we'll have to wait for someone else to chime in at some point as to how these stand up to the vintage ones. All I'll say is that the V24 is a damn good mic, and after years of avoiding C12's has made me "C12 curious" . I doubt he'll do it any time soon as the design and build process was such a huge undertaking and pain in the ass, but I plan on saving a nice chunk of money an bugging him relentlessly to build me a mono C12. A boy can dream!
In the meantime, this is obviously an expensive piece of kit and the handful that are made are going to end up in some very niche places. Most of us are going to continue to scratch out heads trying to figure out why a company with ~$1K mic offerings was foolish enough to try and do this. I've seen all the criticisms and relate with a lot of them. This wasn't made for me, it wasn't made for most of us really. This was probably a dumb marketing move overall. I don't think Vanguard cares about that though, Derek did this because he always wanted to. I have no right speaking for their company, but from the discussions I've had with them, this was a passion project more than anything just to do it. It's not some cash grab to throw a few hundred dollars worth of parts in a cheap chinese body and see if they could pull one over on the trust fund, law firm home studio crowd. This isn't a statement to break into the boutique microphone market. They did something really cool, really difficult, and this is the result. It's a damn good microphone, but it's not for me. They've already sold a few, so it's obviously spoken to some people. I've enjoyed having it here, and for whatever it's worth I'll attest that it's extremely well built, sounds amazing and feels the part. I don't have the sluttiest studio here, but I've had plenty of opportunities to use vintage C12's and a C24 a handful of times. This mic rocks, i wish it was more affordable, but it's not. That's the world we live in right now trying to pull something off like this. I'm glad I was lucky enough to use it for two weeks, because I'm probably not going to see something like this again.
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we do a high-gloss automotive finish based on a "black cherry" color. The classic car aesthetic. Hopefully not as garish as the clown-nose color you're describing… 
Apologies, Derek; no wound intended. Just a still small voice from the cheap seats. Maybe offering both options could be a consideration for you going forward. Again... cheap seats... disclaimers.... etc.....
