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CardioidViolet Design Ltd. Flamingo ME

Cardioid Tube Condenser Microphone

The Flamingo ME is Violet’s top-of-the-line tube condenser microphone. The body and electronics are identical to the Flamingo Standard; the difference between these mics (besides the price) is that the ME incorporates a unique capsule design.

Violet Magic Ear capsule with Golden Drops diaphragmCalled the “Magic Ear,” the transducer is not round. Rather, it is shaped somewhat like an ear, or a liver, depending on your perspective.

The ME diaphragm is Mylar, sputtered with Violet’s gold alloy in the company’s proprietary “Golden Drops” formation.

VioletUSA

The Flamingo Magic Ear uses an extra large ear-shaped transducer which provides a unique, resonance-free, warm and full vocal sound. The irregular shape of the capsule removes circular resonances and reflections. As a result, it has a warm, clean, more dense and natural tone without the typical round capsule resonance effect.

Violet Flamingo ME cutaway, by Jonah Westrich
The reviews are excellent.

AppleProAudio

The combination of this custom tube amplification circuitry and this capsule is breath-taking.

ProAudioReview

How surprised I was to discover that I actually love the sound of the Magic Ear, as it sounds shockingly good on virtually everything.

The Violet Design Ltd. Flamingo ME is also known as: Flamingo Magic Ear.

The mic was released in 2007.

Specifications

Frequency Response - CardioidClick Graph to Compare!
Flamingo ME Cardioid Frequency Response Chart
Pickup Patterns Pads & Filters
Cardioid (27 mV/Pa; 20 - 20,000 Hz)
Capsule Dimensions Impedance SPL/Noise
Diaphragm diameter: 26mm
200 Ohms (Low) Max SPL: 134 dB
Self-noise: 7.0 dB(A)
Weight Length Max Diameter Interface(s)
1300g (45.86oz) 307mm (12.09'') 68mm (2.68'')
  • 3-pin XLR male (1)
Power Specifications
  • Includes tube power supply

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