Universal Audio have announced the release of two new mics based on the Townsend Labs Sphere system. We have the details:
It’s 18 months since Universal Audio bought Townsend Labs, makers of the L22 Sphere modelling microphone system. While other brands offer mic modelling systems, we don’t think anyone does it better than Townsend Labs so we have waited with interest to see what UA were going to do with this great product. In the intervening time UA have released a range of mics with the SM7B-alike SD1 dynamic, the SP-1 pencil condenser and a trio of vintage-inspired, large diaphragm condensers from Bock but the Sphere L22 remained unchanged without even a rebadging. Some wondered whether, like so many excellent small brands who are acquired by larger brands, the Townsend Labs Sphere was going to be neglected or even abandoned.
Sphere DLX and Sphere LX
That question has been answered with the release of the Universal Audio Sphere DLX ($1499) and Sphere LX ($999) Modeling Microphones. The Sphere DLX looks very much like the re-badged Sphere L22 we were expecting, with all the features of the original such as stereo recording using the Sphere 180 software, off-axis correction, proximity effect and filtering, and comes with some new models courtesy of a software update, 38 Models in total.
The Sphere LX is all new and is a more affordable version of the DLX with a slightly reduced feature set. It still features the dual-capsule modelling of the Townsend original, dual capsule modelling is crucial to the realism of the Sphere’s modelling as it allows the accurate re-creation of the off-axis coloration of the modelled mics which is so important to their character. It offers the same off-axis correction, proximity effect and filtering but doesn’t support the stereo recording mode and 20 mic models, making it an ideal choice for people tracking sources like vocals.