Here at ProAudioLand, we like to give back to our dedicated customers – literally! Whether it’s through our informative tech tips and tutorials over at our Blog section or the multitude of Giveaways and prizes we like to throw from time to time, being a consisted visitor and user of PAL certainly pays back. This month, we’re proud to team up with the guys over at JZ Microphones for what we believe is out best Giveaway yet! No, we’re not talking hundred dollar throwaway prizes here. How about professional grade microphones, one of which retails for over $2000? If that sounds like something you might like, why not head on over to the Giveaway page and enter today! What do you have to lose?

 

About the Giveaway

Starting right now until October 31st, 2013, entrants have a chance at winning either a JZ BH1 (retailing at $2,599.99) or a Vintage 11 (retailing at $799.00) – both of which include a JZ microphones pop filter! Head on over to this link for more information on how to enter.

 

About JZ Microphones

If you’re not too familiar with JZ microphones, don’t worry – you’re certainly not alone. This up and coming company is still fairly new – established 2007 in Riga, Latvia, to be precise – but that doesn’t mean they don’t have years of experience to back up their mics. After twenty years of designing several dozen successful microphones, mic designer Juris Zarins decided to take his experience and passion for design and create his own line of handcrafted recording microphones for the world to enjoy. And just like that, JZ Microphones was born.

The company and their products are distinguished for their combination of open-minded thinking, innovative approach and years’ worth of great experience, leading to a deep understanding of microphone craftsmanship that can rival the best of them.

“We believe sound is an emotional stream connecting all of us as it inspires our greatest works. As the sound lives in its own world and can be very complicated, our objective is to reduce the physical limitations of delivering it to your recording, keeping its complexity and beauty unaltered, for everyone who loves sound as much as we do.” – JZ Microphones

 

The Golden Drop Capsule (GDC)

But how exactly do these microphones separate themselves from the dozens upon dozens of other high-quality designs? Well, a big reason is their proprietary Golden Drop Capsule design which is implemented on nearly every JZ microphone. We all know that the most important component in every mic is the capsule; it essentially transforms sound into an electric signal for use in recording which is pretty important! Golden Drop Capsule technology uses an innovative sputtering technique where a precisely engineered pattern of golden dots is distributed across the diaphragm – a technique created by Juris Zarins himself!

 

The Advantages of Golden Drop Capsule Technology

First off, microphones using GDC tech offer dynamic detail and clarity like few others can. These type of diaphragms boast a smaller mass than similar diaphragms that lack DGC tech. This might not seem like much at first but the reduced mass of GDC diaphragms allows for reduced inertia which then leads to better detection and faster response. And when you have faster detection, you then get significantly more detailed and dynamic sound to your recording. These Golden Drop diaphragms also give more clarity, more precision, less coloration and less distorted frequency response when compared to microphones with similar sized diaphragms.

Alright, now that we know a bit more about the company and what their years of experience brings to the table, let’s take a closer look at both the JZ Black Hole 1 and the JZ Vintage 11!

 

JZ MICROPHONES Vintage 11 Condenser Microphone

The creation of the Vintage 11 is describes as a complete turning point for the company. With its one of a kind design, the VH11 follows the same vintage tradition and quality that runs toe to toe with legendary microphones such as the U47, U67 and C12, just to name a few. The number 11 in its namesake represents the year in which it was created – 2011 to be exact – and was meticulously created by JZ microphones for anyone who loves recording with the highest quality mics possible without having to shell out thousands of dollars in the process. It certainly aims to raise all known studio standards – you simply have to hear it to believe it!

 

Vintage 11 Specifications:

Transducer Type: electrostatic

Operating Principal: Pressure Gradient

Diaphragms Active Diameter: 27 mm

Frequency Range: 20 Hz to 20 kHz

Polar Pattern: cardioid

Output Impedance: 50 ohms

Rated Load Impedance: 1000 ohms

Suggested Load Impedance: >500 ohms

Sensitivity at 1000 Hz into 1000 ohms load: 22 mV/Pa

S/N Ratio CCIR 468-3 weighted: 76.5 dB

S/N Ratio DIN/IEC 651 A-weighted: 87.5 dB-A

Equivalent Noise Level DIN/IEC A-weighted: 6.5 dB-A

Maximum SPL for 0.5% THD at 1000 ohm load: 134 dB

Dynamic Range of the Microphone Preamplifier: 128 dB

Phantom Powering Voltage on pins 2 & 3 of XLR: +48 V (+/-4 V)

Current Consumption: <2 mA

Output Connector: 3-pin XLR male, gold plated contacts

Signal Polarity: Positive toward pressure on a diaphragm produces positive polarity voltage on XLR pin #2 relatively to pin #3

 

JZ MICROPHONES Black Hole 1

Their first official design, JZ Microphones took the feedback of both users and engineers when creating the Black Hole 1. A fantastic vocal mic, the BH1 can pretty much lend itself to any recording application! With unbelievable clarity and definition, this mic has been commended by industry professionals for its smoothness and full transparency.

Featuring a very handy and compact form factor along with an absolutely original design – to put it lightly – the BH1 comes with a proprietary stand holder system, a patented variable sputtering diaphragm that boasts the aforementioned Golden Drop Capsule technology and a specially mixed alloy for coating. The Black Hole comes with three switchable polar patterns (Omni, Cardioid and Figure of 8). This microphone is pretty much guaranteed to pleasantly surprise any and every user!

 

BH1 Specifications:

Transducer type: electrostatic

Operating principal: pressure gradient

Diaphragms active diameter: 2 x 27 mm

Frequency range: 20 Hz to 20 kHz

Polar pattern: Omni / Cardioid / Figure - 8

Output impedance: 50 ohms

Rated load impedance: >250 ohms

Suggested load impedance: 1000 ohms

Sensitivity at 1000 Hz into 1000 ohms load: 18 mV/Pa

S/N Ratio CCIR 468-3 weighted: 75,5 dB

S/N Ratio DIN/IEC 651 A-weighted: 86,5 db-A

Equivalent noise level DIN/IEC A-weighted: 7,5 dB-A

Maximum SPL for 0.5% THD at 1000 ohm load: 134,5 dB

Dynamic range of the microphone preamplifier: 127 db

Phantom powering voltage on pins 2 & 3 of XLR: +48 V (+/-4 V

Current consumption: 1,5 mA

Output connector: 3-pin XLR male, gold plated contacts

Signal polarity: positive toward pressure on a frontal diaphragm produces positive polarity voltage on XLR pin #2 relatively to pin #3

Dimensions: 203 x 51 x 28

 

JZ Microphones JZ PF Universal Pop Filter

And what good is a microphone without a decent pop filter! The JZ PF can pretty much be used with any type of microphone and works great at keeping frequencies unaffected while reducing those pesky pops and blows. The compact shape and unique waveform of the mesh reduces unwanted reverberations, and kills the unwanted pops like no other pop filter on the market for the price. JZ|PF has 45 cm long gooseneck for easy positioning and ergonomic attachment to attach the pop ‑filter to a mic stand fast and easily.