Vanguard V4 gen2 Large-Diaphragm Multi-Pattern Condenser.

We’re lucky to be doing what we love – designing and building great, affordable recording tools. Although Vanguard Audio Labs is a new creative venture, our core team has over a century of combined experience in the music industry. Every one of us is an engineer, musician, producer, and lover of all things audio. Early in our careers, each of us has been frustrated by the desire to own better recording tools… but the really great microphones were overwhelmingly expensive. We started Vanguard Audio Labs to help you make music, and to bring your music to life by building superb products that won’t break your bank account.

The Vanguard V4 is a large-diaphragm multi-pattern FET condenser microphone. Lovingly crafted by experts over two years, it is designed to be a versatile, reliable, professional recording tool that breaks the usual “bang-for-your-buck” curve. With Vanguard’s acclaimed edge-terminated ultra-thin custom-voiced capsule, a pad/rolloff option, primo cryogenically-treated components, and the best shock mount in al the land, the V4 is made to be your go-to workhorse microphone at a price that won’t break the bank.

PERFORMANCE

Vanguard designed V4 with certain characteristics of classic FET microphones in mind, while also utilizing modern technology & design to meet the demands of today’s recording professionals. Their ultra-thin 3µm edge-terminated capsule diaphragms are extraordinarily sensitive, ensuring that every nuance and detail of the performance is faithfully captured.

The signal and power paths of the V4 is identical to a single channel of the V44S, but because there was space for an extra PCB and switch, Vanguard couldn’t resist adding a simple pad/rolloff combo switch to the rear, as well as spacing the power conversion circuit as far as possible from the signal path.

After hundreds of hours of listening with world-class engineers in environments ranging from fully-equipped major studios to bootstrapped home setups, this microphone will vastly exceed the performance of other microphones in its price range, and rival the performance of microphones costing several times more.

DESIGN

The VANGUARD V4 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 in Southern California. Vanguard feel that the sensitive nature of microphones requires a high-standards, no-holds-barred test battery.

They started with an extra-large 34 mm edge-terminated, gold-sputtered 3µm Mylar dual-capsule assembly and custom-voice it with a proprietary hand-tuning process. The capsule is mounted in an open-weave headbasket for a natural sound with low internal reflections.

They then designed a transformerless solid-state circuit that matches the unique musical properties of their capsules and loaded it with premium-grade, over-spec components sourced from manufacturers around the world, including Germany, Japan, and the USA. They deep-cycle cryogenically treat critical components in the signal & power paths, including an ultra-high-grade FET that is many times more expensive than the standard transistor you’ll find in most sub-$500 microphones. As one of the most critical components in the signal path, Vanguard tested several premium-grade transistors before choosing this particular model, and the results are significant & audible improvements in audio quality, headroom, distortion, and noise floor vs. standard-grade JFET transistors.

Aesthetically, the precision-machined brass body is coated with Vanguard’s signature Pinot Noir, finished with a deep, lustrous gloss, and accented by polished nickel trim and a precision-cast Vanguard badge. Your V4’s serial number is laser-engraved on the lower rear of the microphone.

The V4 was designed by a team of experts with more than 65 years of experience and vetted by award-winning engineers and producers.

QUALITY

The V4 was designed in the USA, and undergoes final assembly in sunny Southern California. Vanguard 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 V4 was designed to be robust and reliable. Wherever possible, components were over-spec’d. 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. Every Vanguard microphone is backed by our FIVE-YEAR WARRANTY.

ACCESSORIES

When you buy a V4, you also get a VLSM Heavy-Duty shock mount which includes a few nifty features. First is the open front, which allows you to position the microphone as close to the source as necessary. Second, Vanguard install aerospace-grade suspension rings that won’t break, sag, crack, or stretch over time. This shock mount was designed to fit any microphone with M22x1 threading, so you also can use it with a number of microphones from other manufacturers.

When not in use, your V4 should be stored in its padded pinewood box.

Features:

• Custom-voiced, edge-terminated 34 mm dual-capsule assembly with 3µm gold-sputtered Mylar diaphragms
• 3 selectable polar patterns – Cardioid, Figure-8, Omnidirectional
• -10 dB/100 Hz Rolloff
• Electronically-balanced solid-state circuitry loaded with premium-grade components
• Ultra-low-noise JFET design
• Deep-cycle cryogenic treatment of critical signal & power path components
• Heavy-duty brass, aluminum, steel, and zinc construction
• Open-weave headbasket for low internal reflections and “open-air” voicing
• Each V4 comes with its own laser-engraved serial number
• Over-spec components
• Deep-gloss Pinot Noir finish
• Polished nickel trim
• Precision-cast Vanguard badge
• Final Assembly & 100% Quality Control in California, USA
• 5-Year Warranty