RECORDING May 2024 - 14
REVIEW
Vanguard Audio Labs V24
A stereo tube mic of the highest order
REVIEW BY PAUL VNUK JR.
T
he V24 from Vanguard
Audio Labs is a dual-capsule
stereo
tube
condenser
microphone based on, but not
strictly a clone of, perhaps the most
famous (and ultra-rare) stereo tube
mic of all time, the AKG C 24.
On the Vanguard
Based in Montclair, CA, Vanguard
Audio Labs is known for its V-Series of
microphones featuring impressive sound,
a first-rate build quality and a stunning
high-gloss, deep burgundy, " Pinot Noir "
finish. Ranging in price from $499 to
$1,299, Vanguard mics also sit on the
affordable side of the scale.
In designing the V24, Vanguard took
a no-holds-barred, price-be-damned approach
to crafting what, in their own
words, is " the crème de la crème of stereo
microphones. "
The mic's foundations can also be
found in the Vanguard V44s gen 2 stereo
FET condenser (reviewed in May 2019)-
an impressive stereo mic in its own right.
The Inspiration
The AKG C24 was released in 1959
with a pair of vertically stacked CK12
capsules, each with nine independent polar
pattern options. The top capsule could
be rotated 180 degrees to accommodate
numerous stereo miking configurations. It
was essentially a stereo C12, in regard
to the capsule and pattern implementation,
but the tube moved to a cathodebias
circuit like an ELA M 251 (a CK12based
mic made by AKG for Telefunken).
With fewer than 800 made in total,
finding a working condition C24 will set
you back upwards of $25,000 or more.
14 RECORDING May 2024
Enter the V24
The Vanguard Audio Labs V24 is not
intended to be a C24 clone. The goal
was to use the C24 design as a starting
point and then update, modernize, and
improve the design and components.
The V24 starts with a stock 10.63 " x
2.05 " Vanguard V44s chassis, which is
stripped of its wine-inspired finish. The
raw stainless steel body is hand polished
with a #4 grained finish before
being rebadged and laser engraved.
The mic's internal bracing and the swiveling
capsule turret--a modification of
the V44S platform--are machined locally
in California.
12 x 2
Inside, you will find a pair of matching
CK12-style capsules with 1.04 "
diaphragms made for Vanguard by
BeesNeez in Australia. These capsules
live behind an open-weave grille design
(like the V44S), which offers what Vanguard
calls an " open-air " voicing with
minimal reflections.
For a tube, Vanguard supplies a NOS
GE 5-star 6072, along with a second,
extra cryogenically treated modern
Electroharmonix 12AY7/6072.
Additionally, you will find audiophile-grade
components such as PRP
resistors and more-most of which
are cryogenically treated to increase
stability, longevity and lower the noisefloor.
The circuit flows into a pair of
Cinemag T14 transformers based on
the Hauf T14 transformer used in the
original C12, C24 and 251. According
to Vanguard, the larger core of the
Cinemag T14 offers an improved and
extended low-end response compared
to the C12, C24 and 251. Vanguard
also updated the circuit design to help
eliminate
the -25dB crosstalk
original C24.
Two Voices
On the mic's body, you will find a pair
of 2-position low-pass filter switches-
one for each capsule. This low-pass filter
allows you to engage or disengage the
capacitor-based high-end filtering initially
used on a 251 to tone down the sparkly
C12 top end. This means the V24
offers a choice of both a C12 or 251
flavor per capsule.
Spin Me Round
The rotating turret mechanism on the
original C24 was finicky at best and
often prone to failure. The V24 uses a
precision machined punched-steel mechanism
with a smooth glide and firmly
locking steps. The mechanism offers seven
detented positions (15 degrees each)
with a maximum 120-degree throw.
of
the
RECORDING May 2024
Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of RECORDING May 2024
Fade In
Fast Forward
LEWITT RAY
Vanguard Audio Labs V24
Crafting Modern Vocals
SPL Channel One Mk3 and Track One Mk3
RECORDING’s Field Notes: Recording Vocals
Ohma World Ribbon Microphone
API TCS-II Channel Strip
Studio 101: Delay-Based Effects, Part 1
TELEFUNKEN Elektroakustik Alchemy Series TF17 FET
Soundware Showcase: Toontrack Session Organ EKX
Flock Audio PATCH VT + PATCH APP DX V1.1.0 + DX BRIDGE
Plugin Outlet: oeksound Bloom
Earthworks DM6
Soundware Showcase: Baby Audio Atoms
RØDE NT1 Signature Series Condenser Mic
Korg Keystage
Inside the Studio with Mark Hornsby
Readers’ Tracks
Monheim Crème Tube Condenser Microphone
Fade Out
RECORDING May 2024 - Intro
RECORDING May 2024 - Cover1
RECORDING May 2024 - Cover2
RECORDING May 2024 - 1
RECORDING May 2024 - 2
RECORDING May 2024 - 3
RECORDING May 2024 - Fade In
RECORDING May 2024 - 5
RECORDING May 2024 - 6
RECORDING May 2024 - 7
RECORDING May 2024 - Fast Forward
RECORDING May 2024 - 9
RECORDING May 2024 - LEWITT RAY
RECORDING May 2024 - 11
RECORDING May 2024 - 12
RECORDING May 2024 - 13
RECORDING May 2024 - Vanguard Audio Labs V24
RECORDING May 2024 - 15
RECORDING May 2024 - 16
RECORDING May 2024 - 17
RECORDING May 2024 - Crafting Modern Vocals
RECORDING May 2024 - 19
RECORDING May 2024 - 20
RECORDING May 2024 - 21
RECORDING May 2024 - SPL Channel One Mk3 and Track One Mk3
RECORDING May 2024 - 23
RECORDING May 2024 - 24
RECORDING May 2024 - 25
RECORDING May 2024 - RECORDING’s Field Notes: Recording Vocals
RECORDING May 2024 - 27
RECORDING May 2024 - 28
RECORDING May 2024 - 29
RECORDING May 2024 - Ohma World Ribbon Microphone
RECORDING May 2024 - 31
RECORDING May 2024 - 32
RECORDING May 2024 - 33
RECORDING May 2024 - API TCS-II Channel Strip
RECORDING May 2024 - 35
RECORDING May 2024 - Studio 101: Delay-Based Effects, Part 1
RECORDING May 2024 - 37
RECORDING May 2024 - 38
RECORDING May 2024 - 39
RECORDING May 2024 - TELEFUNKEN Elektroakustik Alchemy Series TF17 FET
RECORDING May 2024 - 41
RECORDING May 2024 - Soundware Showcase: Toontrack Session Organ EKX
RECORDING May 2024 - 43
RECORDING May 2024 - Flock Audio PATCH VT + PATCH APP DX V1.1.0 + DX BRIDGE
RECORDING May 2024 - 45
RECORDING May 2024 - Plugin Outlet: oeksound Bloom
RECORDING May 2024 - 47
RECORDING May 2024 - Earthworks DM6
RECORDING May 2024 - 49
RECORDING May 2024 - Soundware Showcase: Baby Audio Atoms
RECORDING May 2024 - 51
RECORDING May 2024 - RØDE NT1 Signature Series Condenser Mic
RECORDING May 2024 - 53
RECORDING May 2024 - Korg Keystage
RECORDING May 2024 - 55
RECORDING May 2024 - Inside the Studio with Mark Hornsby
RECORDING May 2024 - 57
RECORDING May 2024 - 58
RECORDING May 2024 - 59
RECORDING May 2024 - 60
RECORDING May 2024 - 61
RECORDING May 2024 - 62
RECORDING May 2024 - 63
RECORDING May 2024 - 64
RECORDING May 2024 - 65
RECORDING May 2024 - Readers’ Tracks
RECORDING May 2024 - 67
RECORDING May 2024 - Monheim Crème Tube Condenser Microphone
RECORDING May 2024 - 69
RECORDING May 2024 - 70
RECORDING May 2024 - 71
RECORDING May 2024 - Fade Out
RECORDING May 2024 - Cover3
RECORDING May 2024 - Cover4
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