The Flamingo
"The Flamingo" Series are top-of-the-line vacuum-tube studio microphones designed for high-end quality audio recording.
"The Flamingo Standard" (VD67 capsule) uses a side-address, dual-diaphragm electrostatic transducer tuned to provide a classical wide-spectrum vintage tube-microphone sound with extended top end.
"The Flamingo Vintage" (VD47 capsule) is tuned to provide a sweet, warm vocal sound with high-frequency roll-off as associated with the most famous vintage tube microphones.
Images
Description
All models have unidirectional cardioid polar patterns and introduce a new physical design in the industry. The large, acoustically-transparent head construction keeps sound details as close to unaffected as possible. The combination of massive body, internal capsule shockmount, integrated head shockmount and the included compact external shockmount work together to reduce rumble and outside infrasonic interference as well as mechanical shocks.
The internal vacuum tube pre-amplifier is based on class-A fully discrete electronics, built using the best quality components and carefully selected and tested 6267 vacuum tube. All circuits are designed under the highest audio standards and provide linear audio frequency range, very high dynamics, ultra-low self-noise, and very low audio distortion of all types. We use custom wound large size balanced audio transformer at the output to provide maximum of symmetry and separation of the output signal.
"Flamingo" microphone comes with sequential, soft starting power supply unit. At first step after switching on it provides stabilised DC voltage with limited current for tube heater's protection. Only after heating of cathode the stabilised plate and polarisation voltages begin to raise from zero until full nominal of application voltages. The audio output of the microphone is muted until end of above sequential starting process. Sequence is under changing LED indicator control, but digital display shows actual plate voltage.
Rugged microphone construction with multilevel internal shock-mounts - separate for the capsule, head, electronics board and tube itself effectively reduce tube microphonic's, stand rumble, outside infrasonic interference and mechanical shocks. "Flamingo" comes with compact external shockmount for maximum of performance.
Special highest quality multi wire audio/powering cable is included for microphone to power supply unit connection. We recommend to use our audiophile quality microphone cable for further connection from power supply unit output to preamplifier or mixing console input. That cable will minimize external noise, signal loss and maximize contact quality and is available as option.
Under the special order "Flamingo" microphones are available in matched stereo pairs to provide balanced stereo recordings.
"The Flamingo" is intended for the highest level of recording studio applications. It is a superb vocal and instrument microphone, limited in application only by it's large physical size.
Included Accessories:
VSM47-FL - Shockmount
PSU - power supply unit
VTC-06 - tube microphone cable 6m
IEC - grounding mains cable
Specifications
Transducer type | electrostatic |
Operating principle | pressure gradient |
Diaphragm's active diameter | 1"/26 mm |
Frequency range | 20 Hz to 20 kHz |
Polar pattern | Cardioid |
Output impedance | 100 ohms |
Rated load impedance | 1000 ohms |
Suggested load impedance | >> 250 ohms |
Sensitivity at 1000 Hz into 1000 ohms load | 26 mV/PA |
S/N Ratio CCIR 468-3 weighted | 76 dB |
S/N Ratio DIN/IEC 651 A-weighted | 87 dB-A |
Equivalent noise level DIN/IEC A-weighted | 7 dB-A |
Maximum SPL for 0.5% THD at 1000 ohm load | 134 dB |
Dynamic range of the internal preamplifier | 127 dB |
Phantom powering voltage on pins #2 & #3 of XLR | +48 V (+/-4 V) |
Current consumption | <2 mA |
Output connector | XLR-7M |
Dimensions | 8.86 x 7.08"307 x 68 mm 2.2 lb/998 g |
Review
Artists
"The Flamingo (Standard) mic, the big boy, is perfect on vocals. Full of body, and it can really take the level well. I was using it with Renee Fleming, who has an amazing amount of power, and the Flamingo just captured her voice and sent it on through. It's also great for solo violin or any orchestral instrument. And it looks cool, too : ))"
David Kahne
(Sublime, Bangles, Paul McCartney, Renee Fleming, Regina Spektor, Fishbone)
"Their Flamingo Standard mic is one of the most transparent microphones I have ever heard. It made my singer sound like he was in the room singing about 2 feet from me, acoustically."
Randy Kohrs
Artist/Producer/Engineer
"The Violet Flamingo Standard was the mic of choice on a recent session with acclaimed singer/songwriter Greg McDougal. To my ears, it was perhaps the most linear microphone I have ever used. Every syllable, from a near whisper to the strongest passage was reproduced with the truest dynamic. The tube did it's thing unobtrusively. Warmth, without undue coloration. The revelation was the beautiful, natural sounding vocal I got when recording a 12 year old female vocalist. This mic is a must have for anyone serious about vocal production."
Robert Jason
Producer/Songwriter
"The Flamingo is one of the best-sounding vocal mics I have ever heard."
Chris Neville
Downbeat Magazine
Aplications
"The Flamingo" is intended for the highest level of recording studio applications. It is a superb vocal and instrument microphone, limited in application only by it's large physical size.