I don’t ever really comment on videos but I had to after watching this. As someone in this business, I’ve seen a ton of videos on recording/mixing. Especially when I was starting out. If this was the first video that every newcomer saw, the world of production would be in a much better place. It took me years to get to the mindset that you’re speaking of. For instance, I still have a few pieces of hardware for tracking but I used to have a lot more for 2 reasons, one of which you touched on. 1) I was proud of the fact that I got to a point where I could own these things and 2) I felt that clients walking in and seeing my desk loaded with gear would be impressed and ignore my shortcomings as a producer. If more people spent time actually mixing instead of looking for the magic plugin/hardware to make their mixes sound better they’d be miles ahead. I could go on and on about how many of the points you made are 100% true but I’d be here all day. It’s great to see someone on here not talking nonsense, selling people on stuff they don’t need and making things even more confusing for those starting out. I can only hope that instead of being stubborn like I was, they listen, take this all in and save themselves a ton of time and money. Much respect.
I really appreciate your comment. It took me forever for me to get to that understanding as well. The world of audio is over complicated with brands and names. Everything is a tool and getting in the mindset of using the right tool for the job instead trying to use brands and names definitely took some time but it made me better over all in more fields than one.
Brand is never a bad thing...you can buy a pair of Jordan's...or play basketball in a pair of Payless look alike Jordan's and have your big toe poking out in a week lol.
The microphone doesn't matter as long as it sounds good. Period. - Michael Jackson used an SM57 ($99) on Thriller as well as the SM57a and SM57b on other recordings, Stevie Wonder used a Electro-voice RE20 ($450) on Superstition, Billy Eilish uses an Audio Technica AT2020 ($99), Adel used a Rhode Classic ($1,000). The list goes on & on. - Basically; Sing into the mic. If you like how it sounds - use it! I can't tell you how many times we've set up a bunch of high priced mics in the studio, only to find that the one that sounded best on the singer's voice was an inexpensive mic they'd brought with them (1. Because they knew how to work the mic & 2. Because they'd stumbled on a mic that brought out something special in their voice..character). The basic rule is:--- "It's better to have an amazing performance on a crappy mic than a crappy performance on an amazing mic".
Yeah, I think she does; that was my first “professional” microphone. That was about 11 years ago; if I had focused on my mixing, I could've made a lot of songs off of it.
I think mentors are necessary, because it takes a lot of time and money to mature and then funny enough you end up kind of going a bit backwards because you realize how you left things on the table.
A bit late to the party, but I absolutely love this video. From the message of "it's the sound, not the label or price." of microphones, the one take stream of conscienceless type presentation, to even dropping the microphone. I feel like you are channeling how I would actually be when I am trying to explain to someone. I relate to this video as a presenter and also walked away with some good perspective and knowledge. Thank you for this. You are awesome, keep up the amazing work!
I’m glad you got some good information from this I’m hoping to do another review being that I’ve had it for 5 years now. Oh yeah lol I dropped my vape mod and not the microphone (thankfully)
The worse thing for your ears is a screen :) it’s ok if you end up choosing an SM57 for the vocal sound rather the U47. I once got the most amazing sound for a dulcimer only to discover it was an omni mic in the corner of the studio facing the wall that I was actually listening too. I left it there and that was the recording. I really had to fight the urge to use a closer mic but in the end just continued like that because it sounded so great. Gefell MV691 with Omni capsule through an old Siemens 672 mic pre. Best sound I’ve ever gotten.
The "realest" review I've seen in a long time. Thanks for that man. I've used all of those vintage pieces u mentioned in high dollar studios and I have said the same things u said, "it doesn't matter". I've heard amazing tracks on amateur gear and amateur tracks on amazing gear. All that matters is if it sounds good to YOU. I just heard the Townsend mic yesterday in a friend's studio and I loved it. It's gonna be my next purchase. Your review sealed the deal. That and the fact that Townsend Labs took the time to listen and respond. That to me is awesome. I am now a Townsend Labs convert! Thanks again bruh!
This is ridiculously good. Wish I'd have seen something like this when I was first getting into VO. This advice and exeperience applies to all case uses when finding your microphone or microphones.
Wonder when they release the microphone that lets you sound like Ice T. I would really like to try these mics but they should make a box with all the microphones included. I find it distracting fiddling with the mouse when you are in the mood for recording. I guess you could just record the mic flat and fiddle later. That’s probably the way to go. One other thing that’s bugging me is the life expectancy for a mic depending on software updates. Cool video bro ❤
@@CPSWEDEN I don't think they will or can be phased out by software. Even if they stopped making the software updates, you would still be stuck with the current mic locker. Which isn't a bad thing
@@CGPENT done! If you ever need beats, vocals, a production sparring partner or anything else collaborable sound/video media-related, I'm thee hardest working guy I know, and I'm up for anything :)
This was the most honest and truthful video I've ever seen on the subject. I'm in the market for a new vocal microphone, and my head is spinning from all the choices. Thank you!
TBH, I’m getting weary of the “Emulation” arguments myself. Either gears sounds good or it doesn’t. I absolutely love Warm Audio stuff because after having had the “Expensive” stuff, I get amazing results with their stuff as well as other gear. It’s marketing Strategy I get that too. Cool vid.
Absolutely. This is where the “gear doesn’t matter” thing holds a lot of weight. Simply put, use what makes sense. Use what speaks to you. At this point, nobody cares about what you use or how much it cost or the name brand. If it gets the job done, it’s good!
I wholeheartedly agree. When I was looking at buying this microphone, I was also looking at Neve preamps and channel strips, but then I realized.. why? I have an Apollo 8, I can load any of their preamp emulators and like you said, the Unison preamps are fantastic. I am selling my WA-412 preamps for this reason too. Going lean, with a Scarlett Octopre ADAT to expand my Apollo 8 to 16 inputs. Amazing setup and it doesn't break the bank!
Well said. Very honest. I was mislead by the title of the video. I thought you were going to bash the Sphere L 22, when in fact you biguped it. Thank you for presenting this perspective.
Ha! Loved this take on why the Sphere L22 is a great mic. So true that if you haven't used the mics it's modelling- it doesn't matter 'cause you have no frame of reference so best to just get down to business finding what works for you. Got mine a couple weeks ago and am loving it so far! Paired with my Apollo X4, the possibilities are all I need.
Great video, I've been looking at the lx model for a while. but I could only finde sponsored videos. this was a really honest review, thx for that. Gonna go order one right away!
I agree with you 100%, but I really enjoy my gear and I work hybrid because it’s fun but at the end of the day I could get my sound with my UAD plugins and the L22. I still choose to collect and use my analog gear because I enjoy it, so in a way it’s more of a choice of how you want to work these days. You can use analog gear or you can do it all in the box. Both ways are perfectly valid and can get you to the same place. Vintage gear and way overpaying for hardware because it’s old is where I draw the line, it’s just too cost prohibitive to buy vintage gear these days. 10k for a pultec for example is just nuts......Great video and good luck with your studio, wish you the best!!!
Your points are EXACTLY why I bought a modeling mic. I got SO sick of trying to catch a moving target. I’d buy a mic, like it isolated but it wouldn’t sit in a track. I’d buy a mic and be completely disappointed. So I’d run myself ragged going back and forth buying and returning mics. Enough was enough. My thinking going into this new venture was that I didn’t care if the emulations sounded “accurate”, I only cared if they sounded GOOD and gave me several sounds to work with. Mission accomplished.
Nice review. I think it’s important to add, this mic and the software does things that other mics can’t do. It goes way beyond eq. To be able to change the polar pattern/proximity effect/width after the recording had taken place can be a real lifesaver. If someone is hiring talent to come in and do a track by the hour, your time is better spent getting the material down other than juggling between different mics. This mic is so versatile, there’s no reason you can’t get a sound that will be usable in the mix. I look forward to buying another. Thank you.
That’s definitely one of the great things about this mic because the emulations aren’t eq at all. I can’t remember entirely how exactly they explained it but it’s the front and rear capsule information for each microphone. So when you adjust for brighter or darker tone. It’s the push and pull of the front and rear capsule, very unique approach.
Damn, this hit. I've been in the field for probably 15-16 years (just getting into film as well) and even after so much experience. This simple advice grounded me. The biggest takeaway, "This and UAD plugins will make it to where you don't have to think about your gear and you can focus on creating music". Definitely needed to hear that and as a huge fan of UAD plugin emulations, I'm happy to hear there's a microphone technology that can be just as convenient and useful. Hearing this advance couldn't be better timing. As I was starting to get shaky on whether I should record my latest project with U67 Reissue or U87. Now I can do both, either or neither... and still make the damn song. Thanks man!
I agree with everything you said and agree the vast majority of expensive gear isn’t required. However two additional points…. Good analog gear rarely depreciates, especially if you buy used(beware of fakes). It’s somewhat important to make the artist feel special because they are singing into the same expensive mic that made that hit album on. That doesn’t mean you can’t make a hit album on a handful of cheap gear :)
I can see your point but I guess it's more for people who are inexperienced with maintain ing analog gear. I have a bricasti that requires hardly any maintenance at all and has appreciated by $1000 since I bought it. If I do purchase analog I try buy gear that holds value.
Sir, I am only 7 minutes in and this is the smartest Sphere L22 review I have seen. I am a person 2 and you said just what I was thinking and wondering about.
Wow, I needed this. I'm young with like 5 or 6 years of experience. I'd say I'm the number two person. I have no idea what a real LA-2A sounds like but I know the UAD one that I use gets me exactly what I need. I'm interested in this and I already use UAD/Slate (was actually looking into the ML - 1 to see if its any good cuz it's going for 500$ rn) and it's like, why try and stress about getting a sound that is eventually going to be manipulated into something where you might not even hear it. Appreciate the honest reminder. I'm 22 and the experience on the originals would be dope to have, but if the music sounds good, nothing else matters.
Same here man preach, I’ve only been doing this for going on a year and it’s really fascinating to have the real gear where the uad stuff does it well enough, and I only have one microphone and spent money on of things and don’t plan on upgrading unless it’s some 1k mic since I strictly believes the man behind it and performing is what’s gonna matter most. Only thing I am serious about also because I want an actual piece of gear (my first) is the Avalon v5 preamp which am a big fan of its sound and know it’ll be 100% worth it than the plug-in
Jason Goldberg who engineers NBA YoungBoy uses this mic with an Apollo twin and says he couldn’t tell the difference between the L22 and a c800g. Between both of you I’m sold 🤣
I'm big fan of the UA Apollos and own multiple units. I also have switched over to using LUNA as my main DAW. Your points are all incredibly valid and spot on. I would fall into the #2 catagory. I've used some clones 87s and 47s, but other than that none of the actual/original mics that the Sphere models. I have some nice mics, but, for my situation the Sphere would work incredibly well as I am not a true professional and only make a little money through my small studio recording and mixing. Thanks -- really appreciate the real, well informed and honest opinion.
I feel you man. Got my whole kit for guitars and drums and acoustic stuff and brass etc... But I really needed the ONE microphone for vocals. And this is it. Got it a month ago and it's awesome. Only caveat is really latency induced by the plug in so I just feed the front capsul straight back to cans from inside our RME in its internal mixer. Found that even a 4ms delay for vocals can be deranging. And I don't have any UAD and don't use those plug-ins either. Nobody will make the difference in the end anyway, apart from some people spending too much time discussing what it is or isn't and not enough time making music! Props
Using the Apollo helped big time with latency. I literally use it like a preamp and load the plugin on there. I had the same issue with delay before the Apollo.
I've been messing around with home recording for a few years now and couldn't agree with you more. I just recently identified a vocal sound I like and it took a lot of trial and error to get there. Thanks for the video.
That is SO COOL that Townsend Labs responded to this brother that only has 400 subs but great content. i was on the fence between Slate and Townsend, but I'm SOLD because of this video... and I'm SOLD that Townsend replied to him!! LOVE THIS. Going to Zzounds to order this! Hey C.G. what city are you in?
I'm sure it's happened with both the sphere hasn't given me any problems from it tho. The u87 just seemed more sensitive to things like that than expected
I believe there is a fourth reason "person" for this mic. Sometimes a mic can create a nuance for creativity, experimentation and even creating a "vintage sound". Not worth spending so much (or renting) for an effect. This mic would be great to have those sounds.
Great reality check. I have a modelling mic, and am struggling with it because I "expect" a certain similarity, where as, I should work with what it does and create an fx chain that works to bring out it's best.
"Say *'microphone'* again. Say *'microphone'* again, I dare you, I double dare you m0therfvck3r, say *microphone* one more G0ddamn time!" -Samuel L Jackson
At first I was checking in to see what somebody possibly could find wrong with this mic and say something nasty... but instead I heard a excellent review of an incredible mic!.. Well done
I heard demos comparing real to emulation. While I could hear a difference in each emulation, each emulation also did what I wanted from the real thing. I came away wanting a M251 combined with a U47 - you can do that with the Sphere! Can you model your own response profile? That would be awesome, a custom mic.
That would be awesome but I think that's part of the process that allows them to monetize. The type of equipment you would need to accurately model the frequency response would likely cost a fair amount. Then to incorporate that response into the software would be another hurdle in itself. I probably best to leave it to the experts when it comes to that.
I actually bought a Sphear T22 but ended up returning it, not because I didn't like it, but because with this system ultimately I didn't own anything just a collection of software plugins that may or may not be supported a few years down the road. Also, the day the software stops being supported this microphone becomes an expensive paperweight. On the other hand, when I invest in a quality microphone I end up owning a physical asset that will last for years to come. Another benefit of owning a real microphone rather than a bench of plugins is I can use it wherever I want without the need of a laptop, an audio interface and a break out cable!
The sphere is a great sounding microphone all own it's own with plugins. I don't think we have to worry about losing support since UAD has taken over the brand. I’m sure the could put the emulations into a hardware device if the software was going to go away at any point.
@@CGPENT What a killer product that would be. Imagine having a standalone rack mount box that could switch between emulations. You know as much as I love our Applo, I still prefer to use our patch bay and a 19" rack of preamps, and compressors that we've had for years.
Great! I have been recording for many years and I also try to stay away from too much gear and learn how to use the stuff I already own. However, I can imagine this microphone to be a wonderful learning tool for those who want to dive into production, just as guitar plugins as Amplitube and the likes offer an easy access to a lot of different gear making it easy and affordable to learn the key differences and features. After watching this, I decided to stay away from this microphone and put some more work into the gear I already won. Thanks for saving me money!
He's right for the most part. This mic is perfect for those who plan to record other artist and not just themselves. Microphones are not a one size fits all. For instance the AT4050 may sound great for one it may sound terrible on another. Im speaking from experience and its a nightmare to use a microphone that doesn't sound good on a certain vocal. No matter how eq & compression thats applied, it simply doesn't work. The L22 is perfect for this scenario because it models several different mic models. This almost ensures you'll found the perfect mic for any artist. In fact Townshend Labs just released a new update with added mics to the list. If you own a UAD Apollo interface it makes it even better because you'll be able to record though the Unison Mic pres which models several vintage analog channel strips such as SSL, Neve, & Manely. So if you plan to record different artist or even instruments the L22 is a great investment.
Thank you. Your words were much needed as a deterrent for me. I was considering this microphone as an upgrade for when the time comes to do so. I'm a full-time audiobook narrator. I have been researching and trying to compare this with the Neuman TLM 103, as well as the Manley Reference C tube mic. Obviously, the tube is far more expensive, but that is my end goal. My wishlist has now adjusted because of your input. Thank you!
Take it from me, I was very skeptical of this mic, but eventually decided to purchase it and it has turned out to be the most valuable studio investment I have made. An excellent product. I hope you have/have had the same experience.
I just get what’s works for my situation. Sometimes if I’m away from my studio I might just use a sub mic. I got rid of a lot of high end equipment simply because it was no longer relevant to my recording situation.
you forgot one type of person: somebody who has a bunch of mics but doesn't have time to figure out which of those mics are going to work well on a particular source (usually vocal). I like to get my artists in a day early to figure out what mic in my locker is their mic. in cases where I can't, the Townsend is a great way to just record and figure it out later. it might also clue me in on which mics I should pull out of my locker for a test on their next session. I also encourage you to get all the mics profiles you can afford via UAD because they are great. and imho way better than the ones that ship with the mic.
I have always been a big fan of the preamp ... a decent mic on a great pre ... will sound waaaaay better than a killer mic on a cheap low quality pre .... play back monitors and room environment have a significant importance as well ... and at the end of the day it's all in your ears and your skill ... your ears are free, in fact you already have two them ... my 2¢
Surprisingly insightful review, especially given the title. 😉 I might not agree on the "future proof" aspect of it though considering that it's software driven. Townsend Labs is a young single product company and who knows for how long they will be around. Will the software work for you 20, 30, 40 years from now? A regular mic you will be able to just plug in anywhere at anytime and it will do the job. That's much more future proof. But even if it only lasts for 10 years it might be worth the investment if you like the mic. I just would not count on being able to use it throughout the whole career (depending on how old you are).
It still stands out as a great microphone without the software. Also they native software it they also have the UAD plugin. I doubt UAD is going anywhere.
@@CGPENT Sir, fantastic video & you sold me on this mic in this video. If it only last 10 years, it will at least give me no excuses for those years as I’ll now have all the mics and pre’s, compressors/EQ’s to experiment/work with and bonus, I’ll know which mics and chains will work best for me and the sounds I’m trying to achieve. You rock!
@@davidhornbeckmusic7487 I'm glad you decided to buy in. I'm not sure if you know but UAD has aquired the company. So I believe this system will definitely be around for quite some time. I've used as standalone as well and came back to the studio and applied emulations. It's an awesome system and hope UAD continues to improve and add the collection.
To me, the UAD Sphere DLX is a decent microphone, because it is easy to set up and handle and best thing I've had so far to record my guitars at home in stereo (I've had Neumann TLM 102 and KM 184 pairs before the Sphere). The next question is what you consider expansive. To me it's a question of preference and priority. My guitars with the related gear are what I would consider expensive, where I invest into. When recording isn't your priority, the Sphere DLX with the Solo and the mic plugins are incredibly versatile tools. Having said that, if I want or need a professional recording, I book a recording engeneer. No matter how expensive my recording gear would be, I will never become as good at recording, as a professional. Thank you for your review.
How would you compare a Focusrite ISA one vs the UAD Unison pres? Do you think it maybe better using the analog pre like the ISA one or like a Bae 1073? I'm currently using a Tlm 103.
You have to decide what analog really means to you. I was a person that in the beginning only wanted analog but it didn’t fit with my mobile needs now I’m all digital and it allows me to be more flexible. UAD is going to give you a lot of flexibility. If you’ve never worked with an analog sound it might be best not to get your ears set on that sound. There is plenty to love about analog but its just more responsibility and less flexibility. The 103 was my first microphone as well and I think having the flexibility is going to help you a lot. Having the Townsend and UAD combined is pretty special you can record the way you do at home on the road.
Fantastic video. I am thinking of buying this mic, I love to hear your personal opinion on my story so I can make the best decision. I am an professional opera singer and do my recordings at home. I have a apollo x4 and most of the UAD pre amp emulations and other good plug ins for vocals and mixing. I bought the Charteroak SA538 I think 20 years ago, it is that old, however, I didn't use it on a daily basis. The challenges I run into using this mic is that my voice sounds diminished, like it is locked up in a box and the power of the voice and also the clarity is not there - it sound completely different from what my real voice is. That means if I want to bring power in and clarity I have to do tons of processing to get the sound a little better, it is kinda frustrating for a 1700 euro mic. I made a vocal booth using professional materials hoping the sound would improve by getting rid of my living room over-acoustic frequencies. No difference on the power of the voice. There the vocal booth is closed with the professional blankets I get even more muddy sound. I recorded close by 3 inches, and 6 inches, 12 inches to see if it is because the mic cannot handle the operatic sound - the farther I stand away the thinner the sound becomes....I have no idea if it is the type mic I bought, or, that 20 years made it warn out although it always diminished my vocals. The DLX, do you think in your opinion and experience with the mic that it would be the solution for me and finally get my voice recorded as it is, or, do you think that the mic without any processing and even without the UAD different mic options, that it would capture my voice a lot better than what I described about the charteroak studio microphone! Mostly opera singers are recorded with 2 mics to get that wider kinda stereo field sound as you hear on classical albums, or Pavarotti's recordings. The DLX plug in does have a stereo option to record with and I wonder if that would mimic the way opera singers are recorded. What do you think? You can hear the vocals sound FREE and not boxed in and weak - I think you know what I mean...I think they probably not do a whole lot of wild processing on opera voices beside maybe some compression and reverb if it is not recorded in a hall - Hope you can shine some light into my recording world 🙂and looking forward for a positive reply hopefully that the DLX will make a big difference for my recordings...Thanks in advance...
I do believe this microphone will work amazingly for you. A vocal booth in a home studio isn’t necessary and often times does sound boxy because you’re putting your voice in a literal box especially for opera. Your voice needs to breathe and have actual space to develop. Treat the room you’re recording in. The only reason to have vocal booth is for isolation.
Thank you so much for your fast reply and advice. I really appreciate it. You brought a smile on my face, there is hope for me still to make good recordings 🙂 Thanks again..- @@CGPENT
Thank you for the shootout; great video. I agree with you. It really does not matter; I've been in the music for almost 50 years, I've had a studio now for over 30 years, and I was looking for a great Mic your video presentation on Townsend gave me what I needed I purchased it. The best thing I did, it Has great software, and it really does Bring it home. I have two Apollo UAD audio interfaces, and, just as you said, it works absolutely flawlessly. I like the mic so much that I purchased another one, so now I have two; I like to buy in pairs just in case you have two people singing together. My Encouragement to all who want to have professional sound without compromise is to buy this Mic. You will truly be blessed, and the sound is crystal clear. Sometimes I run this Mic through my analog mixing board into my digital interface, which sounds crisp and straight to the point. I used it on different instruments, and all the time, it hits the bull's eye. Again thank you very much.
Ok yes thanks. Honestly I can’t hear much of a difference using the Apollo in your other video, seems like I would say it isn’t necessary. Especially once everything is in the mix, I doubt anyone would be able to tell the difference
I have an Avalon 737 & I just bought the L22.. If I run it thru the Avalon then use the sphere plugin inside my UAD console is it going to mess up the mic imitations up?
Honestly, I feel like this should be everyone's first microphone. By all means, buy whatever microphone you want after, but I think this microphone gives a good idea of the different tones of different microphones.
I have a friend who has both and they like both. Me personally I look at how long slate has been out and see their progress and look at how long Townsend has been out and look at their progress.
Hi sir great video,just few questions if you can answer please, How does this mic sound on its own no emulations,if you recording in an untreated room not a bad sounding room actually but not professionally treated is that safe to go with this mic for tracking vocals,and is it a good investment for someone who isn’t as experienced with mics or will it be too much to handle for a newbie I was just thinking to buy a mic then I thought if you spending 800 pounds on a mic why not stretch your budget a bit and get this mic instead and one more thing when I say tracking vocals I am talking full on pro radio ready finished songs that we going to be recording out there your advise from your experience please. Regards
it doesn't matter what stage you are with this microphone. It's definitely one that you can grow with. It sounds amazing on it's own which I feel is the most important part. Don't be intemidated by it I had it since 2017 and can't see myself paying with it anytime soon. It'll save you alot of money in the long run. If your room is untreated I would check out the koatica eyeball
@@CGPENT thanks a lot for your detailed reply much much appreciated,does it compare with a tube mics as someone asked me to take a look on those clones 47 style tube mics done by advance audio or vanguard v13 Bests
Think of it like this, do you want one mic that's only one mic? Or do you want one mic that's multiple mics and much more versatile. If you've never used a tube mic it doesn't matter. Trust me there's something in there that you'll like. You may never grow out of the L22 and now that uad is an actual partner on the software it's future proof.
@@CGPENT thank you ever so much now I know where I am going with that these questions were bothering me and now i can go on and make this investment I wish you grow more and more sir Great guy👍
Hi, very good video|! I haven't Apollo hardware, I have Arturia Audiofuse Studio (it doesn't have internal DSP). Would I make a mistake buying this microphone to connect to my Arturia Audiofuse Studio?
No, the microphone has a native plug-in so it can be used with any hardware I just found that with my workflow UAD worked better for me. I have used the microphone with other interfaces that have given me the results that was looking for.
Appreciate this! I think bottom line for me is, I don't have thousands and thousands of dollars to spend on different microphones to try on my voice to find the ones that work well, so a quality microphone that allows for flexibility of tone with emulation could be a good place to start, even if the emulations aren't perfect. I have both a Rode NT1A and a Warm Audio 87 going into an SSL2+ interface, and I'm just not crazy about the NT1A or WA87 on my voice. I consistently hear way too much 1000-1500 Hz, whether it's my voice or the mics or both, I don't know, but I am just really curious if other microphone models would help with smoothing that area out, even if they're emulated. TL;DR I'm interested in this mic because I'm still searching for a mic that likes me and I can't afford all the real ones to try my voice on. Anyone else?!
This is a good place to start. I had some frequency issues with an actual U87; funny, those same issues are present for me even in the emulations. I tend to like the 251 in general but especially for singers.
@@CGPENT Haha damn, really? Well, I'll think about it some more, but I'm still liking the idea of having options on the fly. Thanks for your reply, and the 251 suggestion ;)
You’ve convinced me to pair this with the Apollo Twin Quad I’m about to buy. I watched every other ‘review’ by others and wasn’t convinced at all. Sure, it does cool stuff, I thought to myself but the other guys weren’t really speaking from a point of reference of someone who had been using the Sphere for longer than a couple of hours. Watched all 30mins of your video and I’m fucken SOLD! Cheers, bro!
What are your thoughts on the Slate VMS ML-1, it’s a more affordable emulator mic? Would you recommend it for ppl looking for their first mic not ready cough up $1500. Or would you direct one else where
Austin A I haven’t used it but I don’t like that it has multiple parts. I have a friend that has both and he loves both so I don’t feel you can go wrong if budget is a factor. What sold me on the Townsend was the way they explained their emulation technique. Slate obviously does not use the same process and I favored that over slate.
I have the behringer umc204hd interface, it comes with the midas preamps. Would that be enough to get the most out of the townsends labs or the new UA Sphere dlx?
I’m also thinking about getting the old L22 instead of the new DLX. They are similar but the L22 has a -10db pad and -20dB pad as well. And it is also cheaper
@@CGPENT it won't just go up. I believe they will sell whatever stock they have left now and then not restock them again. From now on they will only sell the DLX and the LX. Clock is ticking and I'm still deciding.
@@CGPENT Here's the kicker. I only have budget for either the L22 or an Apollo Twin interface right now. I'm thinking I should get the mic first as it is the first module of the vocal chain so it would have the biggest impact to my sound. On the other hand, the Apollo comes with a bunch of plugins that could also seriously impact my sounds. I hope to get your opinion. Thank you!
Well said! You make a hellava point. I had the Slate and didn't like it. You can't even get this mic right now so those that have it keep it. I'm waiting for it to be available again so I can pull the trigger. One thing I don't understand is if it's a stereo mic how does it receive two signals? Are you using two mic cords with it? Oh ok, it comes with a breakout cable.
You remind me so much of Flesh N Bone from Bone Thugs -- the way you talk, your passion, etc. Have anyone told you that before? Are you guys related? Anyway, I loved this video. Keep it up.
No one's actually told me that before and I can kinda see that. I get alot of my music inspiration from Bone Thugs as well so it makes sense. Glad you liked the video.
@@CGPENT Yeah, Bone Thugs are my favorite group. I'm a very hardcore fan. When I started watching your video, I was tripping out because you guys talk very similar and have the same gesture's, and you guys sort of sound the sound but different enough to sound distinct, I'm sure. I bet Bone fans, and even Bone Thugs, would trip out if they saw this video. Anyway, you seen pretty knowledgeable and I love your passion. I will subscribe and look forward to more videos from you. I recently got the LS22 last week and can't wait to play around with it. 🙂
It's the Townsend Labs Sphere L22 Precision Microphone Modeling System. I will test it out soon and let you know. Funny thing is, I have so much unopened gear that I bought a while ago, but haven't had time to play any of it. I even got the BIG Six Summing Mixer. It's been sitting here in the box for over 5 months now. It's gonna feel like Christmas one day when I finally get to play with everything. Haha
I agree that my mix makes my sound I have a Gemini 5 but I been wanting to use different mics to feel the difference but don’t want to make the investment. Do you still think the Townsend is a shortcut to try out what different mics would sound like? I just got an x4 will the mic emulator on my Gemini still give me what im looking for instead of having to buy the Townsend?
This is basically a plugin. There is nothing wrong with plugins, I personally think the plugins are not necessarily a replacement for the analog great, but an addition because plugins can do much, much more than analog gear, so in short plugins are magnificent. But plugins cannot do everything, and this microphone thing is one of those things.
Hey man You mentioned about having an AUD interface being good for this mic are you saying that because they work with each other or just because of the quality of the interface.. I’m about to purchase an Apogee Symphony interface for my pc just because I don’t have a Mac for the AUDs. I’ve heard many good things about the apogee interfaces let me know if that would be a good interface if you could!
@@CGPENT what about the apogee interfaces have you heard good things about them? I have a pc with type C input but not thunderbolt so I can’t get an AUD interface
@@RichardVex UAD should still work as long as it's type C. Apogee makes great interfaces but I haven't had a lot of experience with them. To me UAD is the most logical route to go since it's now part of the brand.
How do you find your Sennheiser headphone represents a mix? I’m looking into a headphone for hearing what plugins are doing and tonal differences and maybe some light mixing outside of my monitors . Is it the 600 or 650? Iv been looking at how some people say the 600 is flatter and brighter , with the 650 having a bit of a low mid bump and more stereo image BUT vocals and things down the middle sound a little farther away and not as present as the 600. I thought about the 650 with Sonarworks for fixing the eq curve and then being able to reference with the sonar works off aswell. BUT I wonder if it represents better what the monitors show with stereo image and upfront center sounds . Even if the 600 has a smaller soundstage that would be good for referencing crappy headphones and sound systems people may use so not sure which would be better since I do have monitors. Thanks for the video
Hey There I love my hd650s because of the open back so I don’t really get fatigued. The more you mix on them the better your mixes will come out. I haven’t tried the 600s but for just being able to sit and mix for extended period of time is worth it. I haven’t done a mix at all for some time because I’ve been dealing film but I do trust them and just like anything else you have to learn how they represent frequencies and your style of mixing.
I use the Hilo’s headphone amp, I’m not sure what your budget is. I’m not well versed in head phone amps so I can’t really give you many options. The amp I know and trust is the one in my Hilo. But I’ve also used the apogee groove. Different mixes definitely.
Try MonoPrice Stage Right headphones. I used Sennheiser HD280 Pros for 6 years. Went through 6 pair at 100 bucks a pop. The Stage Right headphones from MonoPrice are 30 bucks, and they sound better than the Sennheisers. Great build too. Sturdy, and they have 53mm drivers, and are as flat as you need them to be. I mixed a whole industry album through a pair of mine for a friend of mine who was in a well known 90's rap group.
I don’t ever really comment on videos but I had to after watching this. As someone in this business, I’ve seen a ton of videos on recording/mixing. Especially when I was starting out. If this was the first video that every newcomer saw, the world of production would be in a much better place. It took me years to get to the mindset that you’re speaking of. For instance, I still have a few pieces of hardware for tracking but I used to have a lot more for 2 reasons, one of which you touched on. 1) I was proud of the fact that I got to a point where I could own these things and 2) I felt that clients walking in and seeing my desk loaded with gear would be impressed and ignore my shortcomings as a producer. If more people spent time actually mixing instead of looking for the magic plugin/hardware to make their mixes sound better they’d be miles ahead. I could go on and on about how many of the points you made are 100% true but I’d be here all day. It’s great to see someone on here not talking nonsense, selling people on stuff they don’t need and making things even more confusing for those starting out. I can only hope that instead of being stubborn like I was, they listen, take this all in and save themselves a ton of time and money. Much respect.
I really appreciate your comment. It took me forever for me to get to that understanding as well. The world of audio is over complicated with brands and names. Everything is a tool and getting in the mindset of using the right tool for the job instead trying to use brands and names definitely took some time but it made me better over all in more fields than one.
Brand is never a bad thing...you can buy a pair of Jordan's...or play basketball in a pair of Payless look alike Jordan's and have your big toe poking out in a week lol.
Use your ears not your gear…This comment was beautiful
Great comment!
This is one hell of a review. You sold me on it. Townsend Labs needs to see this.
George Gatewood III Thank you so much. I’m sure they have. Hope they see this comment.
@@CGPENT yup, we've seen it. Thanks George and C.G.!
@@Townsendlabs serious company does it research and pay attention to its customers! Love to y'all, waiting for more vintage mic on my L22
@@roes369 Thanks! We agree with you on that. Glad to see happy customers.
@@ctown000 yes sir!
The microphone doesn't matter as long as it sounds good. Period. - Michael Jackson used an SM57 ($99) on Thriller as well as the SM57a and SM57b on other recordings, Stevie Wonder used a Electro-voice RE20 ($450) on Superstition, Billy Eilish uses an Audio Technica AT2020 ($99), Adel used a Rhode Classic ($1,000). The list goes on & on. - Basically; Sing into the mic. If you like how it sounds - use it!
I can't tell you how many times we've set up a bunch of high priced mics in the studio, only to find that the one that sounded best on the singer's voice was an inexpensive mic they'd brought with them (1. Because they knew how to work the mic & 2. Because they'd stumbled on a mic that brought out something special in their voice..character).
The basic rule is:--- "It's better to have an amazing performance on a crappy mic than a crappy performance on an amazing mic".
Agreed. It took me years learn this
Billie uses a Telefunken Elam 251
Yeah, I think she does; that was my first “professional” microphone. That was about 11 years ago; if I had focused on my mixing, I could've made a lot of songs off of it.
@@CGPENT Same here. LOL. It seems to be an unteachable lesson though.
I think mentors are necessary, because it takes a lot of time and money to mature and then funny enough you end up kind of going a bit backwards because you realize how you left things on the table.
A bit late to the party, but I absolutely love this video. From the message of "it's the sound, not the label or price." of microphones, the one take stream of conscienceless type presentation, to even dropping the microphone. I feel like you are channeling how I would actually be when I am trying to explain to someone. I relate to this video as a presenter and also walked away with some good perspective and knowledge. Thank you for this. You are awesome, keep up the amazing work!
I’m glad you got some good information from this I’m hoping to do another review being that I’ve had it for 5 years now. Oh yeah lol I dropped my vape mod and not the microphone (thankfully)
Man, I've been searching for a long time for the normal non-marketing opinion of this microphone. Thanks!
The worse thing for your ears is a screen :) it’s ok if you end up choosing an SM57 for the vocal sound rather the U47. I once got the most amazing sound for a dulcimer only to discover it was an omni mic in the corner of the studio facing the wall that I was actually listening too. I left it there and that was the recording. I really had to fight the urge to use a closer mic but in the end just continued like that because it sounded so great. Gefell MV691 with Omni capsule through an old Siemens 672 mic pre. Best sound I’ve ever gotten.
The "realest" review I've seen in a long time. Thanks for that man. I've used all of those vintage pieces u mentioned in high dollar studios and I have said the same things u said, "it doesn't matter". I've heard amazing tracks on amateur gear and amateur tracks on amazing gear. All that matters is if it sounds good to YOU. I just heard the Townsend mic yesterday in a friend's studio and I loved it. It's gonna be my next purchase. Your review sealed the deal. That and the fact that Townsend Labs took the time to listen and respond. That to me is awesome. I am now a Townsend Labs convert! Thanks again bruh!
I can’t own another microphone after the Townsend Labs L22 it has me spoiled.
This is ridiculously good. Wish I'd have seen something like this when I was first getting into VO. This advice and exeperience applies to all case uses when finding your microphone or microphones.
Thank you
The fact alone that this mic gives options makes it a worthy consideration in itself. I’m saving up for one.
They are truly amazing update video coming soon
To summarise: its an amazing system with endless benefits no matter who you are.
Exactly
Wonder when they release the microphone that lets you sound like Ice T. I would really like to try these mics but they should make a box with all the microphones included. I find it distracting fiddling with the mouse when you are in the mood for recording. I guess you could just record the mic flat and fiddle later. That’s probably the way to go. One other thing that’s bugging me is the life expectancy for a mic depending on software updates.
Cool video bro ❤
@@CPSWEDEN I don't think they will or can be phased out by software. Even if they stopped making the software updates, you would still be stuck with the current mic locker. Which isn't a bad thing
Thank you for this video. Subbed because your the only person I've seen talking about this and being real. Respect man
Thank You🙌🏾
Just received mine, and the first listen got me really stoked to record more! Thanks for the review!
Glad I could help. I have a really cool video coming up so make sure you subscribe.
@@CGPENT done! If you ever need beats, vocals, a production sparring partner or anything else collaborable sound/video media-related, I'm thee hardest working guy I know, and I'm up for anything :)
This was the most honest and truthful video I've ever seen on the subject. I'm in the market for a new vocal microphone, and my head is spinning from all the choices. Thank you!
TBH, I’m getting weary of the “Emulation” arguments myself. Either gears sounds good or it doesn’t. I absolutely love Warm Audio stuff because after having had the “Expensive” stuff, I get amazing results with their stuff as well as other gear. It’s marketing Strategy I get that too. Cool vid.
christlovemins yeah definitely marketing
Absolutely. This is where the “gear doesn’t matter” thing holds a lot of weight. Simply put, use what makes sense. Use what speaks to you. At this point, nobody cares about what you use or how much it cost or the name brand. If it gets the job done, it’s good!
I wholeheartedly agree. When I was looking at buying this microphone, I was also looking at Neve preamps and channel strips, but then I realized.. why? I have an Apollo 8, I can load any of their preamp emulators and like you said, the Unison preamps are fantastic. I am selling my WA-412 preamps for this reason too. Going lean, with a Scarlett Octopre ADAT to expand my Apollo 8 to 16 inputs. Amazing setup and it doesn't break the bank!
I’m still running a skeleton setup with no complaints
Well said. Very honest. I was mislead by the title of the video. I thought you were going to bash the Sphere L 22, when in fact you biguped it. Thank you for presenting this perspective.
It definitely a great mic phone. Been using it since it hit the market.
Man… can’t thank you enough for this review.. much respect!
@@ricardohylton857 no problem
Ha! Loved this take on why the Sphere L22 is a great mic. So true that if you haven't used the mics it's modelling- it doesn't matter 'cause you have no frame of reference so best to just get down to business finding what works for you. Got mine a couple weeks ago and am loving it so far! Paired with my Apollo X4, the possibilities are all I need.
Great video, I've been looking at the lx model for a while. but I could only finde sponsored videos. this was a really honest review, thx for that.
Gonna go order one right away!
I have an update video coming soon on all of them L22, DLX, and LX
I agree with you 100%, but I really enjoy my gear and I work hybrid because it’s fun but at the end of the day I could get my sound with my UAD plugins and the L22. I still choose to collect and use my analog gear because I enjoy it, so in a way it’s more of a choice of how you want to work these days. You can use analog gear or you can do it all in the box. Both ways are perfectly valid and can get you to the same place. Vintage gear and way overpaying for hardware because it’s old is where I draw the line, it’s just too cost prohibitive to buy vintage gear these days. 10k for a pultec for example is just nuts......Great video and good luck with your studio, wish you the best!!!
Your points are EXACTLY why I bought a modeling mic. I got SO sick of trying to catch a moving target. I’d buy a mic, like it isolated but it wouldn’t sit in a track. I’d buy a mic and be completely disappointed. So I’d run myself ragged going back and forth buying and returning mics. Enough was enough. My thinking going into this new venture was that I didn’t care if the emulations sounded “accurate”, I only cared if they sounded GOOD and gave me several sounds to work with. Mission accomplished.
Nice review. I think it’s important to add, this mic and the software does things that other mics can’t do. It goes way beyond eq. To be able to change the polar pattern/proximity effect/width after the recording had taken place can be a real lifesaver. If someone is hiring talent to come in and do a track by the hour, your time is better spent getting the material down other than juggling between different mics. This mic is so versatile, there’s no reason you can’t get a sound that will be usable in the mix. I look forward to buying another. Thank you.
That’s definitely one of the great things about this mic because the emulations aren’t eq at all. I can’t remember entirely how exactly they explained it but it’s the front and rear capsule information for each microphone. So when you adjust for brighter or darker tone. It’s the push and pull of the front and rear capsule, very unique approach.
Damn, this hit. I've been in the field for probably 15-16 years (just getting into film as well) and even after so much experience. This simple advice grounded me. The biggest takeaway, "This and UAD plugins will make it to where you don't have to think about your gear and you can focus on creating music". Definitely needed to hear that and as a huge fan of UAD plugin emulations, I'm happy to hear there's a microphone technology that can be just as convenient and useful.
Hearing this advance couldn't be better timing. As I was starting to get shaky on whether I should record my latest project with U67 Reissue or U87. Now I can do both, either or neither... and still make the damn song. Thanks man!
No problem man. We get lost in the hype sometimes that setup will simplify your life tremendously.
been using mine for 3 days now and that 67 works great for my voice. Not sure what a u67 sounds like but i love what this does for my needs.
bruce Chace I have a friend that actually owns one and he loves it.
C.G. Productions and Entertainment™ phew! I got a little sweaty for a second.
I agree with everything you said and agree the vast majority of expensive gear isn’t required. However two additional points…. Good analog gear rarely depreciates, especially if you buy used(beware of fakes). It’s somewhat important to make the artist feel special because they are singing into the same expensive mic that made that hit album on. That doesn’t mean you can’t make a hit album on a handful of cheap gear :)
I can see your point but I guess it's more for people who are inexperienced with maintain ing analog gear. I have a bricasti that requires hardly any maintenance at all and has appreciated by $1000 since I bought it. If I do purchase analog I try buy gear that holds value.
great review - just bought my first piece of outboard gear - the SSL Fusion and this mic is on my list for later on in the year - great review thanks!
Ooooo that fusion is where it's at I've wanted one for a while now.
Sir, I am only 7 minutes in and this is the smartest Sphere L22 review I have seen. I am a person 2 and you said just what I was thinking and wondering about.
I’m glad I could help. This is an amazing microphone and it’s the most versatile one I’ve ever used. It has a sound I can trust to be consistent.
Wow, I needed this. I'm young with like 5 or 6 years of experience. I'd say I'm the number two person. I have no idea what a real LA-2A sounds like but I know the UAD one that I use gets me exactly what I need. I'm interested in this and I already use UAD/Slate (was actually looking into the ML - 1 to see if its any good cuz it's going for 500$ rn) and it's like, why try and stress about getting a sound that is eventually going to be manipulated into something where you might not even hear it. Appreciate the honest reminder. I'm 22 and the experience on the originals would be dope to have, but if the music sounds good, nothing else matters.
Same here man preach, I’ve only been doing this for going on a year and it’s really fascinating to have the real gear where the uad stuff does it well enough, and I only have one microphone and spent money on of things and don’t plan on upgrading unless it’s some 1k mic since I strictly believes the man behind it and performing is what’s gonna matter most. Only thing I am serious about also because I want an actual piece of gear (my first) is the Avalon v5 preamp which am a big fan of its sound and know it’ll be 100% worth it than the plug-in
Jason Goldberg who engineers NBA YoungBoy uses this mic with an Apollo twin and says he couldn’t tell the difference between the L22 and a c800g. Between both of you I’m sold 🤣
I'm big fan of the UA Apollos and own multiple units. I also have switched over to using LUNA as my main DAW. Your points are all incredibly valid and spot on. I would fall into the #2 catagory. I've used some clones 87s and 47s, but other than that none of the actual/original mics that the Sphere models. I have some nice mics, but, for my situation the Sphere would work incredibly well as I am not a true professional and only make a little money through my small studio recording and mixing. Thanks -- really appreciate the real, well informed and honest opinion.
No problem I know it’s been a while since I’ve uploaded but this channel is about to be flooded with this type of content.
I feel you man. Got my whole kit for guitars and drums and acoustic stuff and brass etc... But I really needed the ONE microphone for vocals. And this is it. Got it a month ago and it's awesome. Only caveat is really latency induced by the plug in so I just feed the front capsul straight back to cans from inside our RME in its internal mixer. Found that even a 4ms delay for vocals can be deranging. And I don't have any UAD and don't use those plug-ins either. Nobody will make the difference in the end anyway, apart from some people spending too much time discussing what it is or isn't and not enough time making music!
Props
Using the Apollo helped big time with latency. I literally use it like a preamp and load the plugin on there. I had the same issue with delay before the Apollo.
@@CGPENT do you have the preamp emulation too?
Yeah I use UADs mixer to load the preamp and the Townsend plugins. and then run line in into my Hilo.
I've been messing around with home recording for a few years now and couldn't agree with you more. I just recently identified a vocal sound I like and it took a lot of trial and error to get there. Thanks for the video.
I already own an L22, and this was really a good listen and made perfect sense. Thanks for sharing...
That is SO COOL that Townsend Labs responded to this brother that only has 400 subs but great content. i was on the fence between Slate and Townsend, but I'm SOLD because of this video... and I'm SOLD that Townsend replied to him!! LOVE THIS. Going to Zzounds to order this! Hey C.G. what city are you in?
Tucson, AZ
how do you record a mono channel using the DLX ? It's very difficult to pan guitars that are recorded in stereo!!!
You pan both channels to the middle
so your clients spit into your U87 but not the sphere? or you’re saying this mic is more durable?
I'm sure it's happened with both the sphere hasn't given me any problems from it tho. The u87 just seemed more sensitive to things like that than expected
FYI: Your gear kit link leads nowhere ! Can you let me know when it’s working again? Thanks
D
I believe there is a fourth reason "person" for this mic. Sometimes a mic can create a nuance for creativity, experimentation and even creating a "vintage sound". Not worth spending so much (or renting) for an effect. This mic would be great to have those sounds.
Great reality check. I have a modelling mic, and am struggling with it because I "expect" a certain similarity, where as, I should work with what it does and create an fx chain that works to bring out it's best.
Exactly
Also......it's always the person in front of the microphone that is the most important factor
Thank you for your time and your help. Great video.
no problem. hopefully i can get time next year to do more videos.
"Say *'microphone'* again. Say *'microphone'* again, I dare you, I double dare you m0therfvck3r, say *microphone* one more G0ddamn time!"
-Samuel L Jackson
😂🤣😂 I’ve gotta post this to my FB. This is too good just made my day. #microphone 🎙😎
I think your comment was flagged for profanity you might wanna symbolize it up to make it visible
@@CGPENT I made it 1337 .. lol
Thank you for such an insightful review. Very down to earth and easy for any one (regardless of skill level) to understand.
Thank you
This is the realist interview i have might have ever seen on youtube.
I appreciate it man.
I like how honest and straightforward you are. Keep it up man, you're a rare breed. Much props.
Thanks
At first I was checking in to see what somebody possibly could find wrong with this mic and say something nasty... but instead I heard a excellent review of an incredible mic!.. Well done
John Porter thank you
I heard demos comparing real to emulation. While I could hear a difference in each emulation, each emulation also did what I wanted from the real thing. I came away wanting a M251 combined with a U47 - you can do that with the Sphere! Can you model your own response profile? That would be awesome, a custom mic.
That would be awesome but I think that's part of the process that allows them to monetize. The type of equipment you would need to accurately model the frequency response would likely cost a fair amount. Then to incorporate that response into the software would be another hurdle in itself. I probably best to leave it to the experts when it comes to that.
You got rgat right brother
After moved to UAD sold bunch of hardware
And find myself browsing Sweetwater
And just nah dont need any more gear .
Dope video!🙌🏼 Bro any idea why the 3 sphere uad mic collections are not listed in PT uad drop down list?? I only see them in uad console 🤦♂️
That's weird try searching for it or reload your plugins.
I actually bought a Sphear T22 but ended up returning it, not because I didn't like it, but because with this system ultimately I didn't own anything just a collection of software plugins that may or may not be supported a few years down the road. Also, the day the software stops being supported this microphone becomes an expensive paperweight. On the other hand, when I invest in a quality microphone I end up owning a physical asset that will last for years to come. Another benefit of owning a real microphone rather than a bench of plugins is I can use it wherever I want without the need of a laptop, an audio interface and a break out cable!
The sphere is a great sounding microphone all own it's own with plugins. I don't think we have to worry about losing support since UAD has taken over the brand. I’m sure the could put the emulations into a hardware device if the software was going to go away at any point.
@@CGPENT What a killer product that would be. Imagine having a standalone rack mount box that could switch between emulations. You know as much as I love our Applo, I still prefer to use our patch bay and a 19" rack of preamps, and compressors that we've had for years.
Yeah an Octo DSP stand alone emulator would be absolutely insane. Here take my 💸💸💸 😂🤣😂
The best mic I’ve ever had period,your loss
Great! I have been recording for many years and I also try to stay away from too much gear and learn how to use the stuff I already own. However, I can imagine this microphone to be a wonderful learning tool for those who want to dive into production, just as guitar plugins as Amplitube and the likes offer an easy access to a lot of different gear making it easy and affordable to learn the key differences and features. After watching this, I decided to stay away from this microphone and put some more work into the gear I already won. Thanks for saving me money!
Wow what a great video! Absolute truth with regards to choosing a mic that fits a specific voice REGARDLESS of price or hype. Beauty!
He's right for the most part. This mic is perfect for those who plan to record other artist and not just themselves. Microphones are not a one size fits all. For instance the AT4050 may sound great for one it may sound terrible on another. Im speaking from experience and its a nightmare to use a microphone that doesn't sound good on a certain vocal. No matter how eq & compression thats applied, it simply doesn't work. The L22 is perfect for this scenario because it models several different mic models. This almost ensures you'll found the perfect mic for any artist. In fact Townshend Labs just released a new update with added mics to the list. If you own a UAD Apollo interface it makes it even better because you'll be able to record though the Unison Mic pres which models several vintage analog channel strips such as SSL, Neve, & Manely. So if you plan to record different artist or even instruments the L22 is a great investment.
Would this match up well with a SSL2+?
@@jrockofages5413
Yes…
@@RodneyD thank you. Thank you. Torn between this and Lauten Audio Atlantis
Dope review bro it’s next on my list to pair with my x6 do you have a ig?
Yeah my IG is @cgp_ent
Hell yea bro, I’m getting one to pair with my x8p
thank you bro for this amazing video. I still don't know if I need it or not, but I enjoyed this video so much ❤
Thank you. Your words were much needed as a deterrent for me. I was considering this microphone as an upgrade for when the time comes to do so. I'm a full-time audiobook narrator. I have been researching and trying to compare this with the Neuman TLM 103, as well as the Manley Reference C tube mic. Obviously, the tube is far more expensive, but that is my end goal. My wishlist has now adjusted because of your input. Thank you!
Take it from me, I was very skeptical of this mic, but eventually decided to purchase it and it has turned out to be the most valuable studio investment I have made. An excellent product. I hope you have/have had the same experience.
Thank you! Needed to hear this!
Great take, I appreciate this perspective.
I saw bricasti verb and hilo lynx behind you haha. But you are down to earth and very realistic.
I just get what’s works for my situation. Sometimes if I’m away from my studio I might just use a sub mic. I got rid of a lot of high end equipment simply because it was no longer relevant to my recording situation.
So true! Perspective is so important. Great honest delivery, too!
Glad you enjoyed it!
This mic is shockingly good on acoustic guitars when using the mic as a stereo mic. Well done.
You are right ! Thank you ! Good Luck !
you forgot one type of person: somebody who has a bunch of mics but doesn't have time to figure out which of those mics are going to work well on a particular source (usually vocal). I like to get my artists in a day early to figure out what mic in my locker is their mic. in cases where I can't, the Townsend is a great way to just record and figure it out later. it might also clue me in on which mics I should pull out of my locker for a test on their next session. I also encourage you to get all the mics profiles you can afford via UAD because they are great. and imho way better than the ones that ship with the mic.
Facts. I do believe I've purchased the uad mics as well
I have always been a big fan of the preamp ... a decent mic on a great pre ... will sound waaaaay better than a killer mic on a cheap low quality pre .... play back monitors and room environment have a significant importance as well ... and at the end of the day it's all in your ears and your skill ... your ears are free, in fact you already have two them ... my 2¢
@@suite6creative Feel like the environment is the pinnacle of a great sound. Your ears hear what they hear in any environment
@@CGPENT truth ...
Respect. The realest! Thank you, so much!🙂🙏🏿
Can the sphere plugin be used as an insert on pro tools with raw vocals?
Yes but I would not record through the plugin as it can introduce latency.
Best Review I have seen on this mic and your pov applies to many things music. A+++
Surprisingly insightful review, especially given the title. 😉
I might not agree on the "future proof" aspect of it though considering that it's software driven. Townsend Labs is a young single product company and who knows for how long they will be around. Will the software work for you 20, 30, 40 years from now?
A regular mic you will be able to just plug in anywhere at anytime and it will do the job. That's much more future proof.
But even if it only lasts for 10 years it might be worth the investment if you like the mic. I just would not count on being able to use it throughout the whole career (depending on how old you are).
It still stands out as a great microphone without the software. Also they native software it they also have the UAD plugin. I doubt UAD is going anywhere.
@@CGPENT Sir, fantastic video & you sold me on this mic in this video.
If it only last 10 years, it will at least give me no excuses for those years as I’ll now have all the mics and pre’s, compressors/EQ’s to experiment/work with and bonus, I’ll know which mics and chains will work best for me and the sounds I’m trying to achieve.
You rock!
@@davidhornbeckmusic7487 I'm glad you decided to buy in. I'm not sure if you know but UAD has aquired the company. So I believe this system will definitely be around for quite some time. I've used as standalone as well and came back to the studio and applied emulations. It's an awesome system and hope UAD continues to improve and add the collection.
To me, the UAD Sphere DLX is a decent microphone, because it is easy to set up and handle and best thing I've had so far to record my guitars at home in stereo (I've had Neumann TLM 102 and KM 184 pairs before the Sphere). The next question is what you consider expansive. To me it's a question of preference and priority. My guitars with the related gear are what I would consider expensive, where I invest into. When recording isn't your priority, the Sphere DLX with the Solo and the mic plugins are incredibly versatile tools. Having said that, if I want or need a professional recording, I book a recording engeneer. No matter how expensive my recording gear would be, I will never become as good at recording, as a professional. Thank you for your review.
This mic future proofs you. I couldn’t agree more. This mic plus an Apollo twin is a winning combination
How would you compare a Focusrite ISA one vs the UAD Unison pres? Do you think it maybe better using the analog pre like the ISA one or like a Bae 1073? I'm currently using a Tlm 103.
You have to decide what analog really means to you. I was a person that in the beginning only wanted analog but it didn’t fit with my mobile needs now I’m all digital and it allows me to be more flexible. UAD is going to give you a lot of flexibility. If you’ve never worked with an analog sound it might be best not to get your ears set on that sound. There is plenty to love about analog but its just more responsibility and less flexibility. The 103 was my first microphone as well and I think having the flexibility is going to help you a lot. Having the Townsend and UAD combined is pretty special you can record the way you do at home on the road.
Fantastic video. I am thinking of buying this mic, I love to hear your personal opinion on my story so I can make the best decision. I am an professional opera singer and do my recordings at home. I have a apollo x4 and most of the UAD pre amp emulations and other good plug ins for vocals and mixing. I bought the Charteroak SA538 I think 20 years ago, it is that old, however, I didn't use it on a daily basis. The challenges I run into using this mic is that my voice sounds diminished, like it is locked up in a box and the power of the voice and also the clarity is not there - it sound completely different from what my real voice is. That means if I want to bring power in and clarity I have to do tons of processing to get the sound a little better, it is kinda frustrating for a 1700 euro mic. I made a vocal booth using professional materials hoping the sound would improve by getting rid of my living room over-acoustic frequencies. No difference on the power of the voice. There the vocal booth is closed with the professional blankets I get even more muddy sound. I recorded close by 3 inches, and 6 inches, 12 inches to see if it is because the mic cannot handle the operatic sound - the farther I stand away the thinner the sound becomes....I have no idea if it is the type mic I bought, or, that 20 years made it warn out although it always diminished my vocals. The DLX, do you think in your opinion and experience with the mic that it would be the solution for me and finally get my voice recorded as it is, or, do you think that the mic without any processing and even without the UAD different mic options, that it would capture my voice a lot better than what I described about the charteroak studio microphone! Mostly opera singers are recorded with 2 mics to get that wider kinda stereo field sound as you hear on classical albums, or Pavarotti's recordings. The DLX plug in does have a stereo option to record with and I wonder if that would mimic the way opera singers are recorded. What do you think? You can hear the vocals sound FREE and not boxed in and weak - I think you know what I mean...I think they probably not do a whole lot of wild processing on opera voices beside maybe some compression and reverb if it is not recorded in a hall - Hope you can shine some light into my recording world 🙂and looking forward for a positive reply hopefully that the DLX will make a big difference for my recordings...Thanks in advance...
I do believe this microphone will work amazingly for you. A vocal booth in a home studio isn’t necessary and often times does sound boxy because you’re putting your voice in a literal box especially for opera. Your voice needs to breathe and have actual space to develop. Treat the room you’re recording in. The only reason to have vocal booth is for isolation.
Thank you so much for your fast reply and advice. I really appreciate it. You brought a smile on my face, there is hope for me still to make good recordings 🙂 Thanks again..- @@CGPENT
@joshrainbow-IceTenor no problem
Thank you for the shootout; great video. I agree with you. It really does not matter; I've been in the music for almost 50 years, I've had a studio now for over 30 years, and I was looking for a great Mic your video presentation on Townsend gave me what I needed I purchased it. The best thing I did, it Has great software, and it really does Bring it home. I have two Apollo UAD audio interfaces, and, just as you said, it works absolutely flawlessly. I like the mic so much that I purchased another one, so now I have two; I like to buy in pairs just in case you have two people singing together. My Encouragement to all who want to have professional sound without compromise is to buy this Mic. You will truly be blessed, and the sound is crystal clear. Sometimes I run this Mic through my analog mixing board into my digital interface, which sounds crisp and straight to the point. I used it on different instruments, and all the time, it hits the bull's eye. Again thank you very much.
To me it puts alot into prospective especially when you have people who are just starting out. This is the mic to get. Thank you for your comment.
thanks!
Would you say the preamps on a focusrite USB 6 would work with the DLX?
@@navinamusic as long as you have 2 inputs it will work.
Ok yes thanks. Honestly I can’t hear much of a difference using the Apollo in your other video, seems like I would say it isn’t necessary. Especially once everything is in the mix, I doubt anyone would be able to tell the difference
@navinamusic I feel that’s true for most cases I tend to focus more the environment but the better the environment the more you hear.
I have an Avalon 737 & I just bought the L22.. If I run it thru the Avalon then use the sphere plugin inside my UAD console is it going to mess up the mic imitations up?
Solid video, and I usually don’t sit through a half hour of a guy talking. Really thinking about this mic
Honestly, I feel like this should be everyone's first microphone. By all means, buy whatever microphone you want after, but I think this microphone gives a good idea of the different tones of different microphones.
Have you had a chance to check out the slate VMS system? How do you think they compare?
I have a friend who has both and they like both. Me personally I look at how long slate has been out and see their progress and look at how long Townsend has been out and look at their progress.
Hi sir great video,just few questions if you can answer please,
How does this mic sound on its own no emulations,if you recording in an untreated room not a bad sounding room actually but not professionally treated is that safe to go with this mic for tracking vocals,and is it a good investment for someone who isn’t as experienced with mics or will it be too much to handle for a newbie I was just thinking to buy a mic then I thought if you spending 800 pounds on a mic why not stretch your budget a bit and get this mic instead and one more thing when I say tracking vocals I am talking full on pro radio ready finished songs that we going to be recording out there your advise from your experience please.
Regards
it doesn't matter what stage you are with this microphone. It's definitely one that you can grow with. It sounds amazing on it's own which I feel is the most important part. Don't be intemidated by it I had it since 2017 and can't see myself paying with it anytime soon. It'll save you alot of money in the long run. If your room is untreated I would check out the koatica eyeball
@@CGPENT thanks a lot for your detailed reply much much appreciated,does it compare with a tube mics as someone asked me to take a look on those clones 47 style tube mics done by advance audio or vanguard v13
Bests
Think of it like this, do you want one mic that's only one mic? Or do you want one mic that's multiple mics and much more versatile. If you've never used a tube mic it doesn't matter. Trust me there's something in there that you'll like. You may never grow out of the L22 and now that uad is an actual partner on the software it's future proof.
@@CGPENT thank you ever so much now I know where I am going with that these questions were bothering me and now i can go on and make this investment
I wish you grow more and more sir
Great guy👍
You won't be disappointed. Definitely a product that I can stand behind.
Hi, very good video|!
I haven't Apollo hardware, I have Arturia Audiofuse Studio (it doesn't have internal DSP).
Would I make a mistake buying this microphone to connect to my Arturia Audiofuse Studio?
No, the microphone has a native plug-in so it can be used with any hardware I just found that with my workflow UAD worked better for me. I have used the microphone with other interfaces that have given me the results that was looking for.
Appreciate this! I think bottom line for me is, I don't have thousands and thousands of dollars to spend on different microphones to try on my voice to find the ones that work well, so a quality microphone that allows for flexibility of tone with emulation could be a good place to start, even if the emulations aren't perfect. I have both a Rode NT1A and a Warm Audio 87 going into an SSL2+ interface, and I'm just not crazy about the NT1A or WA87 on my voice. I consistently hear way too much 1000-1500 Hz, whether it's my voice or the mics or both, I don't know, but I am just really curious if other microphone models would help with smoothing that area out, even if they're emulated.
TL;DR I'm interested in this mic because I'm still searching for a mic that likes me and I can't afford all the real ones to try my voice on. Anyone else?!
This is a good place to start. I had some frequency issues with an actual U87; funny, those same issues are present for me even in the emulations. I tend to like the 251 in general but especially for singers.
@@CGPENT Haha damn, really? Well, I'll think about it some more, but I'm still liking the idea of having options on the fly. Thanks for your reply, and the 251 suggestion ;)
Will this mic work well with a Soundcraft signature 22 multitrack
If you like the sound of the preamps it fine just understand the audio will be colored with that sounds went you start layer the mic emulations.
I should mention that I do use an Apollo and only consider the Sphere L22 because of it.
In my personal opinion that’s the best match for this microphone.
You’ve convinced me to pair this with the Apollo Twin Quad I’m about to buy.
I watched every other ‘review’ by others and wasn’t convinced at all. Sure, it does cool stuff, I thought to myself but the other guys weren’t really speaking from a point of reference of someone who had been using the Sphere for longer than a couple of hours.
Watched all 30mins of your video and I’m fucken SOLD!
Cheers, bro!
I’ve been using this combo for nearly 3 years now no complaints
Great video. Thank you!
You're Welcome
What are your thoughts on the Slate VMS ML-1, it’s a more affordable emulator mic? Would you recommend it for ppl looking for their first mic not ready cough up $1500. Or would you direct one else where
Austin A I haven’t used it but I don’t like that it has multiple parts. I have a friend that has both and he loves both so I don’t feel you can go wrong if budget is a factor. What sold me on the Townsend was the way they explained their emulation technique. Slate obviously does not use the same process and I favored that over slate.
I have the behringer umc204hd interface, it comes with the midas preamps.
Would that be enough to get the most out of the townsends labs or the new UA Sphere dlx?
I highly recommend the Apollo. The unison pre amps are going to give you the most flexibility.
I’m also thinking about getting the old L22 instead of the new DLX. They are similar but the L22 has a -10db pad and -20dB pad as well.
And it is also cheaper
@@ducngo3077 might be a good choice. I think it value of the old L22 might go up be next year
@@CGPENT it won't just go up. I believe they will sell whatever stock they have left now and then not restock them again. From now on they will only sell the DLX and the LX. Clock is ticking and I'm still deciding.
@@CGPENT Here's the kicker. I only have budget for either the L22 or an Apollo Twin interface right now. I'm thinking I should get the mic first as it is the first module of the vocal chain so it would have the biggest impact to my sound. On the other hand, the Apollo comes with a bunch of plugins that could also seriously impact my sounds. I hope to get your opinion. Thank you!
Does it also work with Fl Studio with the UAD Plugin ?
I'm not sure I don't see why not but they also have a native plugin that you can use as well.
How is the software plugin on the CPU (computers DSP)? does it use a lot of DSP?
It's not too bad and you have options of native or uad plug-in
@@CGPENT Sweet, so you can runs on UAD DSP hardware?
I need to get me an Apollo or something, when I have the money.
Well said! You make a hellava point. I had the Slate and didn't like it. You can't even get this mic right now so those that have it keep it. I'm waiting for it to be available again so I can pull the trigger. One thing I don't understand is if it's a stereo mic how does it receive two signals? Are you using two mic cords with it? Oh ok, it comes with a breakout cable.
Jason Pittman it comes with the dual cable so you’ll need two inputs for it. I actually had a longer custom cable made for it.
What was the name of the film you did dialogue for?
C-Bar2
dude just saw this video, now this a real advice💯💯💯
Wonderful review. Keep 'em coming. No nonsense, straight up. REALLY informative. Thank you :-)
Steve Day thank you good sir
You remind me so much of Flesh N Bone from Bone Thugs -- the way you talk, your passion, etc. Have anyone told you that before? Are you guys related? Anyway, I loved this video. Keep it up.
No one's actually told me that before and I can kinda see that. I get alot of my music inspiration from Bone Thugs as well so it makes sense. Glad you liked the video.
@@CGPENT Yeah, Bone Thugs are my favorite group. I'm a very hardcore fan. When I started watching your video, I was tripping out because you guys talk very similar and have the same gesture's, and you guys sort of sound the sound but different enough to sound distinct, I'm sure. I bet Bone fans, and even Bone Thugs, would trip out if they saw this video. Anyway, you seen pretty knowledgeable and I love your passion. I will subscribe and look forward to more videos from you. I recently got the LS22 last week and can't wait to play around with it. 🙂
@@paragraphics7403 it that the smaller one? Let me know how it goes kinda interested in that as well.
It's the Townsend Labs Sphere L22 Precision Microphone Modeling System. I will test it out soon and let you know. Funny thing is, I have so much unopened gear that I bought a while ago, but haven't had time to play any of it. I even got the BIG Six Summing Mixer. It's been sitting here in the box for over 5 months now. It's gonna feel like Christmas one day when I finally get to play with everything. Haha
Lol that's a good point to be at. When I was younger there was no chance anything would sit in a box😂 now it like "I'll get to it when I can" hahaha
I was secptic at first. But I like this Video. I have the Townsend and its worked absolute WONDERS
I agree that my mix makes my sound I have a Gemini 5 but I been wanting to use different mics to feel the difference but don’t want to make the investment. Do you still think the Townsend is a shortcut to try out what different mics would sound like? I just got an x4 will the mic emulator on my Gemini still give me what im looking for instead of having to buy the Townsend?
The Townsend is a new microphone all in its own. The emulations from my experience are pretty spot on.
Great video!
This is basically a plugin. There is nothing wrong with plugins, I personally think the plugins are not necessarily a replacement for the analog great, but an addition because plugins can do much, much more than analog gear, so in short plugins are magnificent.
But plugins cannot do everything, and this microphone thing is one of those things.
Hey man You mentioned about having an AUD interface being good for this mic are you saying that because they work with each other or just because of the quality of the interface.. I’m about to purchase an Apogee Symphony interface for my pc just because I don’t have a Mac for the AUDs. I’ve heard many good things about the apogee interfaces let me know if that would be a good interface if you could!
well there even more of a reason now Townsend is now a part of UAD. But what I felt before is because if the unison preamps.
@@CGPENT what about the apogee interfaces have you heard good things about them? I have a pc with type C input but not thunderbolt so I can’t get an AUD interface
@@RichardVex UAD should still work as long as it's type C. Apogee makes great interfaces but I haven't had a lot of experience with them. To me UAD is the most logical route to go since it's now part of the brand.
How do you find your Sennheiser headphone represents a mix? I’m looking into a headphone for hearing what plugins are doing and tonal differences and maybe some light mixing outside of my monitors .
Is it the 600 or 650? Iv been looking at how some people say the 600 is flatter and brighter , with the 650 having a bit of a low mid bump and more stereo image BUT vocals and things down the middle sound a little farther away and not as present as the 600.
I thought about the 650 with Sonarworks for fixing the eq curve and then being able to reference with the sonar works off aswell. BUT I wonder if it represents better what the monitors show with stereo image and upfront center sounds .
Even if the 600 has a smaller soundstage that would be good for referencing crappy headphones and sound systems people may use so not sure which would be better since I do have monitors.
Thanks for the video
Hey There I love my hd650s because of the open back so I don’t really get fatigued. The more you mix on them the better your mixes will come out. I haven’t tried the 600s but for just being able to sit and mix for extended period of time is worth it. I haven’t done a mix at all for some time because I’ve been dealing film but I do trust them and just like anything else you have to learn how they represent frequencies and your style of mixing.
Cool thanks bro, recommend any headphone amp for em?
🙏🏽
I use the Hilo’s headphone amp, I’m not sure what your budget is. I’m not well versed in head phone amps so I can’t really give you many options. The amp I know and trust is the one in my Hilo. But I’ve also used the apogee groove. Different mixes definitely.
Thanks brother I’ll check em out
Try MonoPrice Stage Right headphones. I used Sennheiser HD280 Pros for 6 years. Went through 6 pair at 100 bucks a pop. The Stage Right headphones from MonoPrice are 30 bucks, and they sound better than the Sennheisers. Great build too. Sturdy, and they have 53mm drivers, and are as flat as you need them to be. I mixed a whole industry album through a pair of mine for a friend of mine who was in a well known 90's rap group.