recordinghacks

Vanguard Audio Labs V13

Multi-Pattern Tube Condenser Microphone

The Vanguard Audio Labs V13 is a multipattern, large-diaphragm tube condenser microphone.

The capsule is an edge-terminated design with an outside diameter of 34mm.

Like most tube microphones in its price range, the V13 is a 9-pattern microphone, with the polar pattern selectable from the power supply. In its product manual, Vanguard encourages experimentation with the polar patterns e.g.: “one of our favorite polar patterns for vocals is two clicks to the right of cardioid.”

The mic’s output transformer is described as a custom-wound, dual-bobbin, humbucking transformer.

The vacuum tube is a dual-triode — presumably a 12AX7. Vanguard has silk screened its logo on the tube in place of any identifying information. Nevertheless, experimentation is, again, encouraged:

Vanguard Audio Labs

12AX7, 12AT7, and 12AY7 tube types will work with the V13 microphone. Folks who experiment sonically with NOS tubes can feel safe using these tube types.

Indeed, there is a spot for an extra tube in the microphone’s padded case.

Other notable features include a vent machined into the rear of the microphone body for cooling purposes, and a unique aluminum and zinc shock mount designed by Vanguard for more flexibility in mic placement. Where most other shock mounts completely surround the microphone, Vanguard’s mount is very nearly flush with the microphone itself. This “open face” design is so the mic can be placed closer to the vocalist or instrument without a shock mount rail getting in the way.

The microphone ships inside a padded wooden box which is then inside a padded aluminum carrying case. The case also holds the shock mount, included 7-pin braided cable, and power supply.

Permalink: Vanguard Audio Labs V-13

The mic was released in 2016.

Specifications

Pickup Patterns	Pads & Filters
Cardioid (17.78 mV/Pa; 20 - 20,000 Hz)	Pad: -10db (Via Switch) Filter: low cut (Via Switch)

Capsule Dimensions	Impedance	SPL/Noise
Diaphragm diameter: 26.5mm Capsule diameter: 34mm Diaphragm gauge: 3 microns	200 Ohms (Low)	Max SPL: 134 dB Self-noise: 13.0 dB(A)

Weight	Length	Max Diameter	Interface(s)
485g (17.11oz)	208mm (8.19'')	50mm (1.97'')	3-pin XLR male (1)

Power Specifications
Includes tube power supply

Did we get anything wrong on this page? Please let us know!