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V44S gen2 Stereo Condenser

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V44S gen2 STEREO CONDENSER

We’re excited to introduce the VANGUARD AUDIO LABS V44S gen2 microphone!

The second generation Vanguard V44S is a stereo large-diaphragm multi-pattern FET condenser microphone lovingly re-imagined by our team over the last 12 months. This unique microphone is designed to be a versatile, reliable, professional tool in the vein of highly-sought-after vintage stereo condensers of yesteryear. With a pair of twin coincident custom-voiced multi-pattern capsules, you can utilize X/Y, Mid-Side, Blumlein, and other less conventional stereo microphone techniques in a single microphone. With a gen2 redesigned detented heavy-duty rotation mechanism, premium cryogenically-treated FET circuitry, Neutrik® interconnects, and a VLSM shockmount, the V44S is the first and last stereo microphone you’ll ever need to reach for.

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Overview

gen2 is Here

We’re excited to introduce the VANGUARD AUDIO LABS V44S gen2! 

From day one at Vanguard Audio Labs, we have always sought  ways to improve our products and we always will…that is part of our mission. As a result, we have upgraded key components to audiophile-grade parts, including US-made low-noise resistors. These upgrades have netted us a lower signal-to-noise ratio (even though we already had a superb reputation for low noise mics), and vastly improved sound staging. In addition, we not only upgraded key components, but also made physical design upgrades in several areas, including a redesigned rock-solid rotating mechanism for our V44S dual-capsule stereo mic, allowing the user to precisely set the angle of the two capsules and widening available rotation range to 120º. We even improved the fit and finish of the final product, so not only are they world-class performers, but they look damn good while they’re doing it!

The design team here at Vanguard Audio Labs has worked very long and hard this last year to implement these exciting improvements and we are proud to release these new creations!

Quality

The V44S was designed in the USA, and undergoes final assembly in sunny Southern California. We perform 100% quality control – every single piece of your microphone kit undergoes a series of stringent audio and visual tests here in Southern California before being hand-packed.

Every part of the V44S 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. Stainless steel, aluminum, and zinc are part of the heavy-duty construction. Every Vanguard microphone is backed by our FIVE-YEAR WARRANTY.

Design

The VANGUARD V44S 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 here in Southern California.

We started with twin extra-large 34mm edge-terminated, gold-sputtered 3µm Mylar dual-capsule assemblies and custom-voiced them with a proprietary hand-tuning process, placing each capsule in an open-weave headbasket for a natural sound with low internal reflections. New for the gen2, tbhe top headbasket now rotates up to 120 degrees, with detents every 15 degrees for repeatability of settings.

We then designed a transformerless 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. In our entire lineup of gen2 microphones, we chose to use US-made, low-noise audiophile-grade resistors. This takes the noise floor of the V44S from a very quiet gen1  to a nearly undetectable gen2.

Aesthetically, the precision-machined stainless steel 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 V44S’s serial number is laser-engraved on the lower rear of the microphone.

The V44S was designed by a team of experts with nearly a century of experience and vetted by award-winning engineers and producers.

Performance

We designed the V44S with the character of classic stereo microphones in mind, while also utilizing modern technology & design to meet the demands of today’s recording professionals. Our ultra-thin 3µm edge-terminated capsule diaphragms are extraordinarily sensitive, ensuring that every nuance and detail of the performance is faithfully captured.

Both custom-voiced capsules are independently switchable between cardioid, omnidirectional, and figure-8 pickup patterns, enabling X/Y, Mid-Side, and Blumlein stereo mic’ing within one microphone, as well as less conventional stereo techniques.

One of the biggest frustrations we’ve heard from users of stereo microphones is the flaws of current and past headbasket rotation assemblies. Too often, the current designs are fragile and prone to noisy operation, breakage, and signal loss. We designed a heavy-duty, punched-steel rotation mechanism which detents every 15 degrees for reliable, durable operation.

The included splitter box contains an additional phase-reversed top capsule output, which is perfect for less-than-ideal recording conditions such as concert taping. This allows mid-side recording with no additional mixer patching.

After hundreds of hours of listening and testing exhaustive design variations with renowned recording engineers, we can confidently say that this microphone will vastly exceed the performance of other stereo microphones in its price range, and rival the performance of stereo microphones costing several times more.

Features

Capsule & Electronics

  • Twin custom-voiced, edge-terminated 34mm dual-capsule assembly with 3µm gold-sputtered Mylar diaphragms

  • 3 independently selectable polar patterns per capsule

  • Electronically-balanced solid-state circuitry using audiophile-grade parts, sourced from USA, Germany, Japan, France, and more

  • Deep-cycle cryogenic treatment of critical signal & power path components

  • 120º rotatable top capsule with 15º detents

  • Versatile splitter box for mobile & live recording conditions

  • Ultra-low-noise JFET design

  • US-made low-noise audiophile-grade resistors

Construction

  • Heavy-duty brass, aluminum, steel, and zinc construction

  • Robust punched-steel capsule rotation mechanism

  • Open-weave headbasket for low internal reflections and “open-air” voicing

  • Each V44S comes with its own laser-engraved serial number

  • 5-Year Warranty

  • Over-spec componentry

  • Deep-gloss Pinot Noir finish

  • Polished nickel trim

  • Precision-cast Vanguard badge

  • Neutrik® interconnects throughout

  • Final Assembly & 100% Quality Control in California, USA

Aesthetics

  • Exquisite deep-gloss Pinot Noir finish

  • Polished nickel trim

  • Precision-cast Vanguard badge

  • Laser-etched model and serial numbers

Specs

  • Transducer Type: Condenser

  • Capsule Size: 1.34″ / 34mm (dual-capsule)

  • Diaphragm Size: 1.04″ / 26.4mm

  • Capsule Diaphragms Thickness: 3µm

  • Electronics Type: Solid-state, electronically-balanced output

  • Output Impedance: 200Ω

  • Max SPL: appx. 135dB (145dB w/ Pad)

  • Frequency Response: 20Hz-20000Hz

  • Equivalent Noise Level: ≤12dBA (A-weighted)

  • S/N Ratio: ≥82dB (Ref. 1Pa A-weighted)

  • Sensitivity: TBA

  • Output Connector: Neutrik® Male XLR 5-pin, gold-plated

  • Finish: Polished nickel trim / High-gloss Pinot Noir

  • Weight (microphone): 1.5 lbs / 0.68kg

  • Weight (in case): 9.625 lbs / 4.37kg

  • Dimensions (microphone): 10.63″ long, 2.05″ max diameter / 270mm long, 52mm max diameter

  • Dimensions (case): 16.92″L x 12.60″W x 6.02″H / 430mmL x 320mmW x 153mm

  • Voltage Requirement: Phantom Power (+48V ideal)

Accessories

When you buy a V44S, you also get a VLSM Heavy-Duty Shockmount. We wanted to rethink the standard “spider-style” shockmount of old, and designed the VLSM with a few nifty features. First is the open front, which allows you to position the microphone as close to the source as necessary. Second, we install aerospace-grade suspension rings that won’t break, sag, crack, or stretch over time. This shockmount was designed to fit any microphone with M22x1 threading, so you also can use it with a number of microphones from other manufacturers.

The V44S also comes with the our utility splitter box, which allows you to break out the 5-pin microphone cable into conventional 3-pin XLR. The splitter box contains a transformer-isolated phase-inverted top capsule output in addition to the standard top-capsule output, allowing for mid-side operation in less-than-ideal recording conditions with no patching at the mixer. An additional two standard XLR inputs allow you to use other microphones, such as the Vanguard V13, in the same conditions.

When not in use, your V44S should be stored in its padded pinewood box.

The aluminum combo-lock carrying case keeps your V44S microphone, pinewood box, cable, and splitter box in one place.

Included Accessories

  • VLSM Large Shockmount

  • V44S Splitter Box

  • 5-Pin Heavy-Duty Microphone Cable

  • Padded Pinewood Microphone Storage Box

  • Locking Aluminum Carrying Case

Reviews

“This mic has already won me over. I believe there’s a massive amount of options with [the V44S] that are all musical and all REALLY COOL…Vanguard just did it right…Wonderful shockmount, beautifully made, and a plethora of options. I can’t wait to use this on more session. Vanguard, you did it…the V44S is a stealthy, super cool microphone.”

Manny Nieto
Produce Like A Pro

“I set it up, and before the first day was out, I was a confirmed fan…I was very taken with the V44S [as a drum overhead]: it produced
a seriously chunky sound with lots of midrange heft, and a low end that was weighty without being exaggerated.”

Sam Inglis
SoundOnSound

“We were really excited to find the Vanguard V44s gen2 for drum overheads on the Kelsea Ballerini HeartFirst Tour. The build quality is superb and the shockmount is an absolute tank. The V44s has really given us the stereo ‘whole kit image’ that we were looking for.  It’s very flexible with patterns for stereo mic’ing, and you can really tailor it to whatever your environment is. I’ve even used it out front for crowd mics at FOH and the Blumlein pattern is fantastic. People are always coming up and asking, ‘WHAT’S THAT MIC?’. It’s so nice to have studio quality, in a road friendly build!”

Chris Denier
Front of House Engineer

“I’ve never heard a mid-side setup sound this good before. I’m really, really impressed.”

Ulf Blomberg
Hoborec

“Vanguard has done it again, the new V44S is not only up there with these legends [Neumann SM2 or SM69], it’s the new legend, the new nr. 1.”

José Diogo Neves
msonic Baltic

“The new extreme stereo widths now possible were a big request from gen1 owners, for ORTF recordings that are usually done at 110-degree angles. The V44S gen2 is the only single microphone capable of achieving this super-wide stereo pickup. 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-spacial-immersive formats.  This is a good mic to add to your collection!”

Barry Rudolph
"Mix Magazine" - September 2021 Issue

“The audio mix fell together very easily. Most of the sound of this recording is indeed made up of the stereo pair of condensers [Vanguard V1S] behind the conductor and the stereo room mic [Vanguard V44S].”

James Ivey
Production Expert – “Recording the National Children’s Choir of Great Britain – the Story of a Live Recording Project”

“I borrowed [the V44S] from MAINZ Auckland about a week ago. It super easy to a good sound when recording a choir. I just needed to place it right in the middle of the stage. You get an accurate and detailed stereo image which is easy to locate sounds. You can nicely hear basses of the left and sopranos on right. Was also interesting trying the X – Y (cardioid) and Blumlein (Figure-8) configurations. Blumlein picked up more of the lovely diffusion and reverberation of the room. But I ended up using X – Y, it has superior coverage of the stage, a stronger centre image and slightly clean high frequency response.”

Mike McMinn
Mike McMinn Media

“This stereo microphone is characterized by a very neutral image, clean open mids, defined, firm depths and a very physical, catchy sound. If anything, there is only a minimal tendency to warmth and a strong presence (in the sense of signal presence)…The acoustic guitar and the violin were very vividly and naturally reproduced, so that you can imagine the V44S as a natural-sounding main microphone very well… The V44S is a very honest…A real catch!”

Fritz Fey
Studio Magazin (German)

“[The V44S] has been the GREATEST value purchase in YEARS for my collection. It’s amazing. I sold one of my Neumanns after I got this and haven’t looked back!”

Ryan Hudson
Audio Engineer

“The V44S is stunning. They’ve really though about this, just like the V13 before it. Incredible value for what is a beautifully crafted, really though-about stereo microphone. What is there not to love? A beautiful piece of engineering, and one that I do not want to send back (but I shall be getting another one…that’s how much I like this thing.)”

James Ivey
Pro Tools Expert

VIDEOS

AUDIO

For details about each track, follow the “View Track” link in the SoundCloud player for available notes about preamp, placement, etc., as well as a link to a high-resolution WAV file.

NOTE: The V44S and V4 have identical capsules and signal paths. Feel free to use the tracks for the V4 FET Condenser as a reference for the V44S as well.

Downloads

MANUAL

Download V44S gen2 Multi-Pattern Stereo FET Condenser Microphone MANUAL

PHOTOS

V44SS In Shockmount
V44S Microphone Front
V44S Microphone Back
V44S Power Splitter Box Inputs
V44S Wood Box
V44S Power Splitter Box Outputs
V44S Open Case