The September 2021 issue of Mix Magazine is out, which includes Barry Rudolph’s review of our new V44S gen2 Stereo FET Condenser. Barry has an impressive and extensive career, having worked on over 30 gold and platinum RIAA sales awards-winning records and has participated in the recording of three Grammy winners. He has engineered and mixed with artists like Rod Stewart, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Hall and Oates, Pat Benetar, Enrique Iglesias, Mick Jagger, Selena, Jon Bon Jovi, The Beach Boys, Natalie Cole, and many more.
Barry tested the gen2 V44S in a variety of patterns like X-Y, Mid/Side and Blumlein on a Steinway grand piano as well as some dramatic voiceover in Mid/Side.
After testing the V44S gen2 on the Steinway grand piano, Barry noted:
“…when I rotated the capsules to the full 120-degree position, the stereo image widened noticeably yet maintained mono-compatibility. I’m going to be revisiting X-Y stereo much more!”
When it came to testing the V44S on vocals, Barry said:
“The V44S sounded excellent on vocals – not overly bright or overly warm. For Pop piano sounds you may require EQ, but for lead vocals and voiceovers, it offers a blank palette – you can take it anywhere. I liked Mid-Side stereo for this because in post-production, since I had recorded three tracks, the size, width and level of the ambience pickup could be easily dialed to taste – or not used at all.”
His final thoughts?
“The Vanguard Labs V44s gen2 is a good all around workhorse of a stereo condenser microphone that will see more use for new, original recordings/productions made for the Atmos-spatial-immersive formats. This is a good mic to add to your collection!”
Many thanks to Barry for the great review, we’re glad you loved our gen2 V44S!
