Vanguard Audio Labs V1+LOLLI Multi-Capsule Pencil Condenser Microphone Kit

Manufacturer's Description

The Vanguard V1+LOLLI is a multi-capsule FET pencil condenser microphone. Five total custom-voiced capsules – large- and small-diaphragm, and with 6 pickup patterns – allow for a cornucopia of tonal variations for virtually any sound source or recording situation. With premium cryogenically-treated FET componentry, an unparalleled selection of capsules, and a true heavy-duty shockmount, the V1+LOLLI is the most versatile mic’ing system you’ll find.

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.

V34C “LOLLI” Removable Multi-Pattern Large-Diaphragm Capsule Head – our patent-pending interchangeable large-diaphragm multi-pattern head. Our custom-voiced 34mm edge-terminated 3-micron diaphragm dual-capsule assembly housed in a precision-machined aircraft-grade aluminum body. Switchable between omni and cardioid…and aesthetically gorgeous to boot.

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+LOLLI 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+LOLLI kit was created to be the most flexible and adaptable microphone in your locker. The four small capsules allow tonal variety on any number of sources, but we found them to be exceptionally well-suited for close-to-medium-range mic’ing of acoustic guitar, percussion, piano, and stringed instruments. (The wide cardioid capsule in particular deserves special mention here as our favorite, but each capsule has sources and situations in which it excels.)

The V34C “LOLLI” capsule adds another level to your toolkit by coupling the smooth, lush sound of our custom-voiced V13 capsule with the precision and detail of the V1 microphone. The LOLLI excels in almost any recording situation, with vocals being of particular note.

After hundreds of hours of listening and testing exhaustive design variations with world-class engineers, we can confidently say that this microphone will exceed the performance of other pencil condenser microphones in its price range, and rival or exceed the performance of microphones costing several times more.

Design

The VANGUARD V1+LOLLI 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. We spent more than three years designing, developing and refining the V1+LOLLI.

Our small-diaphragm capsules begin with a 16mm 4µm gold-sputtered Mylar diaphragm, carefully positioned in front of a precision-machined, custom-voiced backplate. We engineered the housing to bring the diaphragm as close as possible to the front of the capsule housing, preventing comb filtering.

The V34C “LOLLI” Capsule houses an extra-large 34mm edge-terminated, gold-sputtered 3µm Mylar dual-capsule assembly which is custom-voiced with a proprietary hand-tuning process. It is placed in a shockmount saddle nestled in a retro-aesthetic chassis CNC-machined from solid aircraft-grade aluminum billets. Open-weave mesh, a carefully radiused interior, and precision-machined venting prevent standing reflections and allow for an “open-air” voicing. We engineered the V34C LOLLI head to spin 360 degrees while mounted on the V1, allowing for quick Y-axis positioning adjustments with no futzing around with mic stands.

The capsule is coupled to a transformer-balanced solid-state circuit that matches the unique musical properties of our capsules and is loaded with premium-grade, over-spec components sourced from manufacturers all over the world. We cryogenically treat critical components in the signal & power paths, including an ultra-high-grade hand-biased JFET. The circuit is designed with an “In = Out” philosophy, with only four components present in the signal path.

Aesthetically speaking, we think a microphone should look at least half as good as it sounds. The precision-machined brass body is coated with our signature Pinot Noir hue, finished with a deep, lustrous gloss, and accented by polished nickel trim and a precision-cast Vanguard badge. Your microphone’s serial number is laser-engraved on the lower rear of the microphone.

Quality

The V1+LOLLI was designed in the USA, and undergoes final assembly in sunny Southern California. We perform 100% quality control – every single piece of your V1+LOLLI kit undergoes a series of stringent audio and visual tests here in Southern California before being hand-packed. We precision-bias each high-grade JFET by hand on a calibrated analog oscilloscope (a Tektronix 465B).

Every part of the V1+LOLLI was designed to be robust and reliable. Wherever possible, the circuitry is over-spec’ed. Deep-cycle cryogenic treatment improves the lifespan and performance of critical electronic components. Brass, steel, aircraft-grade aluminum and zinc are part of the heavy-duty construction.

Features

Capsule & Electronics

• 4 small-diaphragm 22mm capsule assemblies – cardioid, hypercardioid, omnidirectional, wide cardioid
• Large-diaphragm V34C “Lolli” multi-pattern capsule assembly
• Transformer-balanced solid-state circuit
• Ultra low-noise high-quality hand-biased 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

Aesthetics

• Exquisite deep-gloss Pinot Noir finish
• Polished nickel trim
• Precision-cast Vanguard badge
• Laser-etched model and serial numbers

Accessories

• 22mm removable capsule – Cardioid
• 22mm removable capsule – Hypercardioid
• 22mm removable capsule – Omnidirectional
• 22mm removable capsule – Wide Cardioid
• V34C “Lolli” removable multi-pattern capsule assembly
• VSSM small shockmount
• Padded pinewood microphone storage box

Specifications

• Transducer Type: Condenser
• Capsule Size (V34C) : 1.34″ / 34mm (dual-capsule)
• Diaphragm Size (V34C): 1.04″ / 26.4mm
• Capsule Diaphragms Thickness (v34C): 3µm
• Capsule Size (Small-Diaphragm): 0.87″/22mm
• Diaphragm Size (Small-Diaphragm): 0.78″ / 16mm
• Capsule Diaphragm Thickness (Small-Diaphragm): 4µm
• Electronics Type: Solid-state, transformer-balanced output
• Output Impedance: 200Ω
• Max SPL: 136dBA (0.5% THD @ 1000Hz)
• Frequency Response: 20Hz-20kHz
• Equivalent Noise Level: <15dBA
• S/N Ratio: TBA
• Sensitivity: TBA
• Output Connector: Male XLR 3-pin, gold-plated
• High-Pass/Rolloff Switch: N/A
• Attenuation/Pad Switch: N/A
• Finish: Polished nickel trim / High-gloss Pinot Noir
• Weight (microphone): TBA
• Weight (in case): TBA
• Dimensions (microphone): TBA
• Dimensions (case): TBA
• Voltage Requirement: Phantom Power (+48V ideal)