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VMS ML-1A is a deliberately neutral large diaphragm condenser microphone, built as the front end of the Virtual Microphone System. Rather than having its own voice, it is designed to be as uncoloured as possible so modelling software can shape it into other microphones convincingly.
A microphone designed to have no character, on purpose.
Meet Virtual Microphone System 2 The world's best modeling microphone got a major upgrade. An industry-shaker when it was first released, the original ML-1 microphone offered the ability to flawlessly emultate the color and tone of over 25 handpicked vintage microphones, covering everything from modern studio staples to classic ribbon mics. Now, the brand-new ML-1A and newly designed Virtual Microphone System plugin takes that same functionality and makes it even more powerful. The ML-1A The ML-1A is a large-diaphragm condenser microphone that's best suited for capturing everything from vocals to live instruments to drum kits and every other use case in between. The ML-1A packs all its punch into a sleeker, smaller shell than that of its predecessor, with a dark grey metallic body and redesigned grille. Beyond the noteworthy aesthetic differences, the main feature change on the ML-1A is the new three-position 0dB/-10 dB /-20 dB pad switch. Up to 145dB SPL can be captured with the-20dB pad engaged. The ML-1A also has lower self-noise to provide the user with an even cleaner recording experience. Virtual Microphone System The virutal mic model user experience has also been significantly improved, with all the mic models now housed together in one self-contained plugin. Compared to the microphone modules in VMR for the ML-1 mic, the new VMS plugin provides the following additional features: · Microphone Model Morphing · New Proximity slider · Low-frequency roll-off selector · Mono-to-stereo widener to spread vocals across the stereo spectrum And if that wasn't enough, the ML-1A comes bundled with the brand-new Radio France Signature mic pack. To help celebrate our company's French roots, we modeled ten incredible microphones from the inventory at the legendary Radio France network HQ. From studio staples to an 'indestructable' mic and the biggest ribbon mic ever made, the mics in this pack are designed to make the human voice sound great.
At a Glance
| Brand | Slate Digital |
|---|---|
| Model | VMS ML-1A |
| Product type | Microphone |
| Series | Large-Diaphragm Condenser Microphone |
| Warranty | Slate Digital limited warranty |
Why Would I Want a Microphone With No Character?
Because modelling cannot remove character that is already there. A model can shape a neutral capture into a 47 or a 251, but it cannot undo the colour of a microphone that already sounds like something specific.
Does It Work Without the Software?
It functions as a large diaphragm condenser on its own, and a neutral one. But the reason to buy it is the modelling system, and using it standalone gives up most of the point.
How Is This Different From Buying the Actual Microphones?
Cost and space. One microphone plus software covers a model library that would otherwise be many five-figure microphones. What you give up is the physical circuit behaviour of the originals.
Why Slate Digital
Slate Digital built its reputation on modelling analogue hardware in software, and the Virtual Microphone System took that approach into hardware. The ML-1 is a deliberately neutral large-diaphragm condenser designed as a blank canvas, paired with modelling software that shapes it into the classic microphones the model library covers. It is a different proposition from a microphone with a fixed voice.