Universal Audio Introduces Hemisphere Mic Modeling Plug-in and SC-1 Standard Condenser Microphone

October 19 2023, 02:10
In February 2022, Universal Audio surprised the audio industry with the simultaneous unveiling of a complete range of microphones. The announcement came just a few months past since the acquisition of microphone modeling pioneer Townsend Labs, and it was clear that the Californian company was determined to lead in the microphone modeling space. Now Universal Audio expands that strategy with the introduction of a new Studio Condenser generic microphone, the SC-1, and the Hemisphere plug-in that allows users to select from a collection of classic microphones from Neumann, Telefunken, AKG, Sony, and more.
 

The Universal Audio SC-1 Standard Condenser Microphone, expands the existing microphone lineup that the company designed to complement the original Townsend Sphere L22 - the one that originated the whole microphone modeling craze. The Universal Audio microphones already include the SD-1 Standard Dynamic microphone for streamers and podcasters, the SP-1 pencil condenser microphone pair, and three classic studio UA Bock Series Microphones designed by David Bock.

This expansion comes at an important time, when the company also launches the Hemisphere Mic Modeling software, coinciding with the announcement of the SC-1 Standard Condenser Microphone, and supporting all products in the Standard Series (the white microphones), including the SD-1 dynamic and the SP-1 pencil pair. Users of those microphones receive a free update to the Hemisphere Mic Collection plug-in, giving these mics the ability to emulate a wide range of classic microphones from the past 50 years.
 

Using the same Townsend Labs technology as the UA Sphere modeling microphones, the Hemisphere Mic Collection plug-in gives creators the authentic sound of dozens of classic mics, in realtime when using the Universal Audio Apollo interfaces, or natively within a digital audio workstation (DAW) software. The Hemisphere plug-in allows users to easily audition mics, tweak proximity effect, filters, and axis controls, even after recording. Any of those "virtual microphone chains" can be recorded in realtime with near-zero latency using Apollo interfaces. 

This means that users are able to experiment how a sound in the studio goes "through" any of the iconic dynamic, ribbon, and condenser microphones. Considering that the SC-1 Standard Condenser Microphone retails for $499 (MAP USD) and the software is included, home and project studios are able to record tracks without actually owning the classic - and considerably expensive - microphones. For actual recording studios with drawers full of those classic microphones, this means that after the sound comparison in the emulation, the recording can be done with the actual microphone that delivered the preferred results. To the surprise of many, the original classic microphone will not sound not even as good as the emulation - very likely as a result of many decades of spitting on the gold-spluttered capsule, and/or storage in high humidity conditions, among other factors.
 

The SC-1 Standard Condenser Microphone is a professional large-diaphragm studio condenser tailor made for vocals, guitars, and acoustic instruments of all types. Its key features include extended dynamic range, ultra-flat frequency response from 20Hz to 20kHz, and low self noise. With the Hemisphere mic modeling plug-in it delivers the "best-case" sounds of the world's most famous studio condenser microphones, which can be recorded with the SC-1's ultra-linear circuit and extended dynamic range. The SC-1 Standard Condenser Microphone will be shipping worldwide before the end of 2023, and the Hemisphere plug-in is available now upon product registration. Hemisphere for UAD and Apollo Realtime is available early November 2023.
www.uaudio.com
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About Joao Martins
Since 2013, Joao Martins leads audioXpress as editor-in-chief of the US-based magazine and website, the leading audio electronics, audio product development and design publication, working also as international editor for Voice Coil, the leading periodical for... Read more

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