Phase shift is a by-product when a microphone¹s electronics are manipulated for capsule gain, added equalization, and roll-off or pad switch functions. Phase shift generates mid-range grit and high end spit in modern condenser mics. The drastic reduction of phase shift within the VM1 K.H.E. offers a much higher midrange resolution and a more textured, nuanced sound reproduction in the higher frequencies. This allows the engineer to work pleasurably with the VM1-K.H.E. over long periods of time on a wider variety of sources and with noticeably less listener fatigue.

Simplification of Circuitry:

Dirk Brauner's elegant, simple circuitry in the original VM1 is even further refined in the VM1-K.H.E. The electronic paths for vital functions like impedance conversion (capsule to mic amp) and impedance matching (mic amp to mixing board) were simplified and shortened to the extreme. The VM1-K.H.E. has the most direct path and the least amount of componentry between capsule and output ever achieved in a studio condenser microphone. The result: The VM1-K.H.E. achieves a high level of realism in its sound reproduction through elimination of electronically introduced artifacts.

Signal-to-Noise Ratio:

The power supply of the VM1-K.H.E. has a "Cardioid Only" / "Multi-Pattern" switch. When "Cardioid Only" is selected, a relay inside the microphone disconnects the rear capsule side from the mic's circuit. This feature improves the signal-to-noise ratio by 4dB, and avoids the loss of clarity and increase in noise encountered with remote pattern controlled microphones. With 9 dbA self noise, the VM1-K.H.E. is the quietest tube mic ever manufactured.

Audiophile Componentry:

Electronic components and wiring is of the highest audiophile grade, selected personally by Klaus. No effort or cost were spared in choosing the best parts from the U.S., Europe and Japan. Even the interconnect cable, made in Germany after an Austrian patent, is of the Double-Reussen-Layer design (unequaled RF-rejection) with high resolution audio conductors.

Capsule Design and Tuning:

The complete tonal character of the VM1-K.H.E. is achieved through judicious fine tuning of the capsule's timbre, not through electronic manipulations after the fact. Acoustical phase shift, an inevitable by-product of double-backplate designs, is reduced to minute levels through larger backplate porting and altered backplate dimensions. This method solves sonic problems right at the source, instead of trying to correct them through added electronics. Each capsule, after being fine tuned by ear by Klaus Heyne, receives a front-side designation, for best audio performance in cardioid, and, in cases of pair orders, two similar-sounding capsules are selected from a pool to achieve best possible pair matching.

Head Grille Design:

The grill mesh on a capsule head serves several purposes- to protect the capsule, to reduce "P"-popping and wind noise and to shield against hum. The problem these protections create is comb filtering and deterioration of the capsule's frequency response. The VM1-K.H.E. head grill has been designed to be acoustically very open and still provide full hum protection. To remove unwanted sound coloration, reflections at the grill mesh were lowered and random diffraction increased. No opportunity for improvement at this stage has been overlooked - even the top of the head grill has been domed to avoid standing waves within the grill structure.

Manufacturing, Quality Control and Finetuning:

After hand-manufacturing and rigorous quality control at Brauner's site in Germany, each VM1-K.H.E. microphone was shipped to Klaus Heyne's facility in the USA for an extended burn-in period, after which each mic's capsule was fine tuned and pair matched, where applicable, before the unit was finally delivered to the customer. On request, specific recording applications or a client's request for a specific capsule voicing was accommodated during the finetuning process.

It is apparent that no effort was spared in the VM1 Klaus Heyne Edition to achieve the highest sonic virtue: a strong personality for vocal and instrument recording with effortless dynamics, superb resolution and absence of sonic artifacts, mechanical or electrical.

Places where you can rent a Brauner VM1 Klaus Heyne Edition:

Platinum Audio Rentals, Hollywood
Phone: 323 462-4044
Audio Rents, Los Angeles
Phone: 323-874-1000
Steve Jarvis, Northern California
Phone: 925-787-2092 (cel)
Blackbird Audio Rentals, Nashville, TN
Phone: 615-279-7368