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JZ Microphones Vintage V47

Cardioid Condenser Microphone

The V47 is the first in a series of “vintage” microphones from JZ. As the name suggests, this microphone was designed to evoke the sound of the Neumann U 47.

The V47 is not a historical recreation. Rather, like a variety of microphones from BLUE, Peluso, 3-Zigma, and other manufacturers, the V47 attempts to create the same tonality as the vintage Neumann microphone without reproducing the capsule, tube, transformer, and circuitry of the original microphone.

To be sure, there are benefits to using modern electronics: the V47’s sensitivity is 22 mV/Pa, with a very low self-noise of 6dBA. The U 47 had similar sensitivity (in Cardioid mode), but much higher self-noise.

JZ’s self-noise test is performed acoustically, with the capsule attached to the amplifier circuit. The V47 is among the quietest microphones we’ve seen.

The V47’s “flask” shape, with built-in swivel mount, facilitates positioning. Because the capsule is internally shockmounted, the mic needs no external shockmount.

The large-diaphragm GDC47 capsule employs JZ’s proprietary “Golden Drops” variable-sputtering technique, in which the Mylar diaphragm material is coated with precisely-located discrete dots of gold alloy. The photo shows a production V47 capsule, which like the Neumann K47 uses a single, shared backplate and center-terminated diaphragms.

Unlike the Neumann U47, the JZ V47 has a fixed cardioid pickup pattern.

The mic’s low self-noise (6dBA) is due in part to its transformerless output circuit.

MIX, 2010

The V47 performed better [than the V67] on kick drum and offered more bottom end when used to record a standup bass. The V47 is a good all-around mic, but the V67 repeatedly took it up a notch.

Resolution, 2011

It’s clear from everything I put in front of these microphones that JZ has done a very good job here. Perhaps most impressive is the fact that they seem to have delivered the musicality, warmth and colour so many people associate with their classic forebears while using modern, clean and very quiet electronic stages. Which must mean that those capsules really are delivering the goods.

The JZ Microphones Vintage V47 is also known as: V47.

The mic was released in 2009.

Specifications

Frequency Response - CardioidClick Graph to Compare!

Pickup Patterns	Pads & Filters
Cardioid (22 mV/Pa; 20 - 20,000 Hz)

Capsule Dimensions	Impedance	SPL/Noise
Diaphragm diameter: 25mm	50 Ohms (Low)	Max SPL: 134 dB Self-noise: 6.0 dB(A)

Weight	Length	Max Diameter	Interface(s)
n/a	155mm (6.10'')	n/a	3-pin XLR male (1)

Power Specifications
Requires phantom power Phantom voltage: 48 ± 4v

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