The Townsend Labs Sphere microphone system can replace all the microphones in your cupboard and unless you’re very lucky indeed, quite a few you don’t!
To demonstrate just how flexible the Sphere is 5x-Grammy-Winner Cassidy Turbin (Beck, Keyon Harrold, Childish Gambino) and his brother Jason (aka Cadence Kid) embarked on recording a song mainly using the Sphere L22 microphone. The project highlight’s how Cassidy used the Sphere L22 to record and mix a wide range of instruments.
Here is an exclusive session walkthrough video of their original tune "Spell of Love".
In this video, you’ll see and hear how mic choice doesn’t have to happen before you hit record. You can stay in the moment and make your choices once the take is safely in the session.
Update - 2 Chances To Win A Sphere L22 Microphone System In Halloween Giveaway
The deadline for your submission is October 31st (Halloween) at 11:59 PM PDT. The winners will be announced on November 10th, 2020.
How To Participate
Now it’s your turn to get creative: Nail the perfect mix of the tune, go to town with a spooky remix, re-record the vocals in your own (ghostly?) language, replace parts to create your own ‘Frankenstein’ Halloween version. Get freaky, put a spell on us, and invite your friends to collaborate.
Since most of the tracks were recorded with the Sphere L22, the files will be stereo files to be used with the standard Sphere plug-in or the Sphere 180 stereo version. All files will be labeled accordingly.
In the walkthrough, Cassidy shares what he did and why he did it.
Examples illustrated in the video include:
Guitar - Stratocaster into Roland JC120 with a Tremolo effect and later that Chorus. Using the Sphere in stereo mode, by rotating the mic through 90 degrees and running the audio through the Sphere 180 plugin, Cassidy found the tone he wanted, using a pair of U67 models he got the sense of envelopment he wanted from this classic stereo amplifier.
Horns - A Clarinet and a Trumpet gave some New Orleans flavour. Cassidy’s usual go-to for these instruments using “real” mics is the Coles 4038 ribbon. A model of the 4038 is available for the Sphere but swapping out for U47s brought them forward in the mix without needing EQ.
Drums - With some additional spot mics on the kick and snare the majority of the drum sound comes from a Sphere running in stereo using a pair of U47 models. When used in stereo, the Sphere captures the soundfield in the same way as a pair of back-to-back cardioid mics. This gives a big wide stereo image that favours the sides over the centre, unlike an XY pair where the mutual angle between the mics would typically be 90 degrees, in this case being back to back, its 180 degrees. In the case of drums, this works perfectly when used in combination with spot mics leaving space int the centre for the close mics on the kick and snare. In this example, Cassidy pushes the effect even further using the width control in the Sphere 180 plugin.
Lead Vocals - U47 in Cardioid, well you would, wouldn’t you…
Backing Vocals - Darker ribbons were used here, the RB-77DX Umber model in cardioid. Unusually for a ribbon, the RCA 77DX model offered more than just the figure 8 pattern ribbons usually exhibit, including cardioid.
Percussion - The shakers and tambourine were recorded with a single Sphere in stereo using the 180 plugin. Unusually a pair of MD421 models were chosen. Cassidy likes the tonal contribution these midrangey mics make and the REV button offers a quick way to reverse the stereo image rather than automating both the Balance controls!
Cymbal Stack - The RB-77DX Umber finds a use again on this very bright instrument. To illustrate how the most coveted mic isn’t necessarily the best choice, Cassidy swaps out the 77 for a 251 model. The results aren’t ideal!
Piano - Although we don’t hear them, a pair of Neumann M49s (LD49 models) were used.
Find Out More
Hear isolated audio examples with comparisons between the alternative models and read more about Cassidy Turbin’s use of the Townsend Lab’s Sphere by clicking the button below.