The Junior" model uses unidirectional single diaphragm large size capsule. Microphones sound conception is based on vintage tone with some modern add of transparent highs, optimal vocal presence and fundamental low frequency register.
Frequency diagram provides character of “The Junior”, but how the microphone reacts in concrete application depends on a number of factors - room volume, reflections, reverberation, microphone distance and angle from sound source and room walls, microphone external pre-amplifier input impedance and electronics type, microphone cable length and quality, etc. The basis of sound comes from know-how of artist and engineer!
"The Junior" microphone is based on original construction true electrostatic capsule. Large size diaphragm is made of the highest quality film and sputtered with special formula of gold mixture providing fast impulse transient response, minimum sound coloration, and handling high sound pressure levels. Sputtered diaphragm is tensioned on special construction adjustable brass back-plate. At the end of the manufacturing process each capsule is carefully tested for all parameters and measured in an anechoic chamber for optimum of performance.
"The Junior" is unidirectional microphone, usable from an active side of the capsule marked with “Violet Design” logo on microphone body. Cardioid polar pattern reduces ambient studio noise, increases separation from unwanted sound sources and reduces acoustical feedback. Frontal incidence is wide enough to quality record sounds from different angles. Proximity effect (low frequency dependence from sound source distance) is minimal.
Microphones both side open spherical form head-grille is made as acoustic filter of multilayer brass mesh that reduces plosive sounds, breath, pop and wind noises, but keeps frequency response and sound transparency close to unaffected.
Rugged microphone body and original construction internal shock-mount for microphones capsule head effectively reduces stand rumble, infrasonic interference and mechanical shocks. The compact external studio shock-mount is included with every “The Junior” microphone as standard accessory.
The internal solid state preamplifier of the microphone is based on class-A fully discrete electronics circuit, built using the best quality selected components. The circuit is designed under the highest audio standards and provides linear audio frequency range, high dynamics, low self noise, and very low audio distortion of all types. Custom made large size output transformer balances output circuit, separates microphone from external interference and provides some additional “analog” warmth to the sound.
“The Junior” requires quality and stable 48V phantom power. It is available from external microphone preamplifier and mixing console inputs or from separate phantom power supply units, but some units, though rated as 48V sources, may supply inadequate and/or unstable phantom power, which can result in distortion and degraded performance. Please check your phantom power source under real microphone load.
We recommend using of our audiophile quality quad microphone cable with gold plated contact connectors to minimize external interference, cable noise, signal loss and to maximize contact quality. The cables are available as option.
Under the special order "The Junior" microphones are available in matched stereo pairs to provide balanced stereo recordings.
Applications:
“The Junior” microphone is designed for the recording studio all-around needs, capable of capturing vocals, piano, guitars, drums, percussion, strings, wind and other musical instruments and sound sources. The microphone can be successfully used in professional sound reinforcement systems, in broadcast and TV studios, in movie and video industry, project studios, home recording, and many other applications.
- Vocals - “The Junior” is great on vocals recording. Use it 5 to 20 cm from capsule to get best results. There is no need to worry about the microphone overload in case of close using. Use pop filters in studio, or foam windscreens in live applications to reduce plosive sounds, breath, pop and wind noises.
- Piano - “The Junior” gives excellent results on piano. Use a pair or more for stereo recording. There are many methods with close miking, distance miking and combined miking. The result depends highly on room's acoustics. The right microphone placement is the most important factor. The best method is to find it by your own ear - go and listen.
- Acoustic Guitars - “The Junior” is giving excellent results on both - metal string acoustic guitars and classical nylon string acoustic guitar. Right placement is the most important factor again. We recommend beginning with facing the microphone to guitar’s neck, where it joins body, in some 10 cm distance from it. Use a pair or more microphones for stereo recording.
- Electric Guitars - “The Junior” gives excellent results for all kind of electric guitar sound recording, from dynamic and bright clean amp sound, to lead guitar overdrive and distortion, or warm jazzy tones. Place the microphone at 5 to 15 cm from the center of a loudspeaker cone to get more upper frequencies, or move the microphone toward the cone edge to get fuller tone with more mid and low frequencies. We recommend orienting a microphone diaphragm under some angle with a loudspeaker cone to reduce low frequency peaks, especially in case bass guitar recording. Larger distance from the loudspeaker will add more air and room acoustics and soften high frequencies. There are endless methods of combining close miking, distance miking, miking from a backside of an open speaker box, experimenting with different room acoustics, etc.
- Drums - “The Junior’s” fast impulse transient response, crystal clear highs and loud SPL handling makes it excellent for the drums recording. The advisable distance is 5 to 10 cm from a drum rim, but you can try different positions and angles. A bigger distance will add more air, environment and naturalness. A smaller distance will increase the low frequencies and separation from other sound sources. You can use a pair as overhead microphones. There are different methods to record drums - from one pair of stereo microphones for right balanced drum kit in an optimal acoustics room until several microphones on each drum kit unit.
- Percussions - Like the drum recording “The Junior” microphone gives transparent, clean and real results in all kinds of percussions recording. The distance of 30 cm is the best to start. Closer distance will add more details, tone and separation. Larger distance will add room ambience, naturalness and blending with other instruments.
- Bowed Strings - “The Junior” is an excellent choice for recording all kind of bowed string instruments. The distance of 30 to 50 cm above the instrument bridge is preferable for violin and viola. The distance of 10 to 20 cm in front of bridge is right for double bass or cello.
- Brass And Wind - The smooth, natural tone of “The Junior” microphone makes it the best choice to record saxophone and other brass and wind instruments. For the clarinet and the soprano saxophone use the microphone 10 to 30 cm above the horn and lowest pads. For the other saxophones place microphone 5 to 15 cm in front of the lip of the bell. For the flute place the microphone above the middle of the instrument. Use 10 to 50 cm distances for the trumpet, the trombone, the French horn, the tuba and other brass instruments.
Specifications:
- Transducer type: electrostatic
- Operating principle: pressure gradient
- The diaphragms active diameter: 26 mm
- Frequency range: 20 Hz to 20 kHz
- Polar pattern: unidirectional, cardioid
- Output impedance: 50 ohms
- Rated load impedance: 1000 ohms
- Suggested load impedance: > 500 ohms
- Sensitivity at 1000 Hz into 1000 ohms load: 21 mV/Pa
- S/N Ratio CCIR 468-3 weighted: 76,5 dB
- S/N Ratio DIN/IEC 651 A-weighted: 87,5 db-A
- Equivalent noise level DIN/IEC A-weighted: 7.5 dB-A
- Maximum SPL for 0.5% THD at 1000 ohm load: 134 dB
- Dynamic range of the microphone preamplifier: 127.5 db
- Phantom powering voltage on pins 2 & 3 of XLR: +48 V (+/-4 V)
- Current consumption: < 2 mA
- Output connector: 3-pin XLR male, gold plated contacts
- Signal polarity: positive toward pressure on a diaphragm produces positive polarity voltage on XLR pin #2 relatively to pin #3
- Dimensions and weight: 210 mm height, 48 mm diameter, 440 g
