Is the future of the USB microphone vintage? Probably not, since products stuffed with LEDs are on the rise. But the
look of the old microphones does not lack charm and always attracts people.
That’s probably what Behringer thought, since the German manufacturer has just announced its series of five Vintage Microphones Series USB microphones, all inspired by old models produced from the 1930s.
All for looks?
Lover of authenticity, go your way. Indeed, the five microphones presented in this series may look like products from the old days, but the comparison stops there. All are marketed for streaming use, work in USB-C, and integrate capacitor type capsules, all that is more classic (entry level or even mid-range). The products are almost identical in their characteristics, but still highlight slightly different sound signatures.
The most aesthetically iconic model is the BV635, which places its capsule suspended around springs on a circular structure – an all-metal design typical of radio transmissions of the 1920s and 1940s. The microphone incorporates a 14 mm electret cell (permanently polarized electrostatic cell) with super-cardioid polar pattern, which announces a frequency response of 50 Hz – 17 kHz, and a resolution of 16 bits/48 kHz.
With its design taken from the same era, the BV-BOMB is inspired by a microphone used in the MGM studios. Carried by a spherical shape, it reproduces almost identically the characteristics of the BV635 model: 14 mm electret capsule, response of 50 Hz – 16 kHz, super-cardioid directivity and 16 bit/48 kHz resolution.
Inspired by the 40s and 50s
A little more original, the BV4038 is inspired by a model from the 50s of the “waffle-iron” type (literally with a waffle grill). The recipe remains the same, or almost technically: electret capsule
14 mm, 50 Hz – 17 kHz response, super-cardioid polar pattern and 16-bit/48 kHz resolution.
Derived from a capsule microphone typical of the studios of the 1940s, the BVR84 promises to be one of the most neutral models of the lot.
For the rest, the onboard electronics remains once again the same as that of its colleagues. The microphone features a 14mm electret capsule, features a 50Hz – 16kHz frequency response, super-cardioid polar pattern, and 16-bit/48kHz resolution.
The latest product also inspired by the 1940s, the BV44 displays a design that is undoubtedly less original than the others (in any case more usual), but still the same characteristics. Her
frequency response, however, seems a little higher than the others (more treble than bass).
The official prices have not yet been revealed, but the price of the range obviously starts at $89.
Source: audiofanzine
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