Description

Meet the Vanguard V1

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 small-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.

What’s Inside

• Vanguard V1 Microphone – packed with high-end componentry including an ultra-quality
  precision-biased JFET, a custom-wound transformer, premium capacitors, and cryogenic
  treatment throughout. A “straight-wire” design philosophy means there’s only four
  components between the capsule and the output.
• Four 22mm Capsules – these interchangeable capsules give you unmatched flexibility –
  cardioid, wide cardioid, hypercardioid, and omnidirectional. Ultra-sensitive 4-micron
  diaphragms, an anti-comb-filtering front design, and precision-machined backplates give
  wide consistency across each capsule.
• VSSM Shockmount – the best pencil shockmount in the ‘verse. Heavy-duty cast zinc
  partners with high-impact ABS to create a shockmount that stays where it’s supposed to.
  Aerospace-grade suspension rings keep the rumble out (no hair scrunchies here!), and a
  windowed design allows you to easily access switches without changing the your mic
  placement.
• Pinewood Storage Case – because your microphones should stay safe in luxury. We’ve
  carved individual capsule pockets into a block of solid pine, and custom-cut foam for your
  mics to stay cozy and secure…whether they’re on the road or in your studio.

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, hypercardioid, wide cardioid 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 16mm 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

• 22mm Cardioid
• 22mm Hypercardioid
• 22mm Wide Cardioid
• 22mm Omnidirectional

*The V34C “LOLLI” large-diaphragm mutli-pattern is available as part of the V1S+LOLLI and
V1+LOLLI kit, or separately purchasable as an addition to your V1. We leave a space in your
pinewood storage box for adding the V34C (or a pair of them!) later if desired. Or you can
just cruise over to the V1+LOLLI page!
When you buy a V1 kit, you also get a VSSM Heavy-Duty Shockmount. We wanted to improve on
the standard “tube” design that was popularized by our chief designer in the late 2000s.
First, we created a windowed design for the shockmount. This allows you to access switches on
your microphone without affecting your carefully-placed positioning.
Second, we source aerospace-grade suspension bands that won’t break, sag, crack, or stretch over
time. The bands can be positioned either vertically/horizontally or diagonally, to tightly hold microphones of varying diameter. The V1 microphone has slight insets machined into the body, so
the suspension bands “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 and finished with a durable
powdercoat. The pivot is injection-molded from high-impact ABS to keep your mic placement locked
in place. 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 below 30mm, so it can be
used with several brands of microphone, including almost any pencil microphone – and even ribbon
microphones.

When not in use, your V1 should be stored in its padded pinewood box.

We offer a four different V1 systems to suit your needs. Check the links below for matched stereo
sets and packages that include the V34C Removable Multi-Pattern Large-Diaphragm Capsule Head
(but we just call her “LOLLI”).

• V1S – Matched stereo pair of V1 kits, plus a stereo bar.
• V1+LOLLI – Add a large-diaphragm multi-pattern capsule to your V1 set.
• V1S+LOLLI – The holy grail of microphone versatility in a matched stereo pair, with 5 sets of
  matched capsules.