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9 polar patternsViolet Design Ltd. Garnet

Multi-Pattern Condenser Tube Microphone

Violet Design Ltd. Garnet

Description

The Garnet is a multipattern tube mic built around Violet’s K47-derivative capsule, called the VD-47.

Like the Neumann K-47, the VD-47 capsule is a dual-backplate design. The active diaphragm diameter measures 26mm. Presumably the diaphragms are center-terminated (as in the K-47), but we have not confirmed this.

The mic’s preamplifier is a Class A tube circuit. The tube model is unknown. The output is transformer-coupled. The resulting amplifier is a remarkably low noise design for a tube mic, at just 8-9 dBA. In fact this is the quietest tube amplifier circuit we’ve seen.

The external tube power supply has a unique pushbutton control for pattern selection. Nine buttons are provided, for selection of any of the nine available polar patters. The selected pattern is marked with a red LED.

The mic’s frequency response charts show a flat response, ± 1/4 dB, from 40Hz to 11kHz. The HF boost that is common to K67-based condensers is not present, in part because K47 capsules have flatter high-frequency response. The mic’s LF -3dB point is below 20Hz; at the high end, it appears to be just under 20kHz.

The Garnet ships with an elastic shockmount (Violet p/n JSM), the tube power supply (p/n PSU-5), and a 6m mic cable (p/n VTC-06).

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The mic was released in 2009.

Specifications

Pickup Patterns Pads & Filters
Omnidirectional (25 mV/Pa; 20 - 20,000 Hz)
Cardioid (25 mV/Pa; 20 - 20,000 Hz)
Bidirectional (25 mV/Pa; 20 - 20,000 Hz)
Capsule Dimensions Impedance SPL/Noise
Diaphragm diameter: 26mm
 100 Ohms (Low) Max SPL: 130 dB
Self-noise: 8.0 dB(A)
Weight Length Max Diameter Interface(s)
800g (28.22oz) 230mm (9.06'') 50mm (1.97'')
  • 3-pin XLR male (1)
Power Specifications
  • Includes tube power supply

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