VIOLET GRAND PEARL

The $669 Grand Pearl is a unique bird: a mid-sized diaphragm condenser, originally designed for live use. Although I admit I'm skeptical of the Grand Pearl™s ability to not close its head during rigorous on-stage use or not sustain damage to its narrowly attached capsule housing sphere while engaged in performance ” I do like it for pleasant coloration in the studio. It has a nice, full sound that is far from flat, but quite useful paired with appropriate sources. I tried the Grand Pearl at a loud rock band rehearsal where it received ample gain before feedback, with a sound more full than forward. In the studio, it was compatible on both male and female vocals, although it wasn't as exciting sounding as its Amethyst Vintage sibling or my other favorite vocal mics. I did use the Grand Pearl on a particularly throaty tenor sax; it gave me the right stuff by not distorting orgivingly subtle musician movement, and keeping the top end smooth and musical. The Grand Pearl should be a winner for live sound engineers who work with primarily acoustic acts; its fullness, detail and feedback rejection will allow many applications. Louder stages will find success with the Grand Pearl when used on backup vocals, horns and percussion. But studios will surely provide even more potential uses than stages for the unique applications of the Grand Pearl.

Rob Tavaglione