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The new Ocean Way Microphone Collection plugin for the revolutionary Townsend Labs Sphere L22 microphone and UA Audio Interfaces expands the capabilities of the Sphere microphone system with 12 gorgeous emulations of the “best of the best” vintage mics from Allen Sides’ world-renowned mic locker at Ocean Way Studios.

By connecting the Townsend Labs’ Sphere L22 to the mic preamps on any UA Audio Interface, you can instantly audition and record with a huge variety of studio mic sounds, in real time.

Thoughts?

Comments

Tony Carpenter Tue, 01/23/2018 - 02:14

These have actually been available a while now. Some shootouts on YouTube already I am sure. But anyhow, my thoughts are, if they are as good as the UAD plugin, which includes mics used in Ocean Ways Studio plug-in, that I have, they're very well done I am sure. Steven Slate has made quite a name for himself with a similar endeavour of course. Love them or hate them, computerised modeling is here, and it's growing all the time.

What I always find really funny, is the big names with TONS of analog outboard gear then demoing this stuff, and how they're using it now. Not seeing a depletion yet in all that OB gear they have though LOL.

Tony

pcrecord Tue, 01/23/2018 - 03:07

I think it is yet another product made to appeal to amateurs and boost sells. To make the small feel big !
One step of the recording process I'm not wanting to cheap out is the tracking phase, room, instrument, mics, placement and preamps.
2 things feel wrong about this :
What about the preamp ? Slate understood that and there is one in his setup.
Also room acoustics will screw up the results for many users.

One good thing about this is that someone with just one mic can avoid the downside of recording multitracks with the same mic by changing the emulation but it's 1499$ most small home studios can't grab that amount for their whole setup.

Send me one Townsend labs, I test it a thousand ways !! ;)

Tony Carpenter Tue, 01/23/2018 - 03:25

pcrecord Marco, you missed the part where you need an Apollo with its preamps :). It’s not a cheap and cheerful solution in any way shape or form. Add unison preamp modelling, and you’re on your way. I’m never going to argue the differences myself, I’ve also heard the real deals... but, it’s all very much a change in the game, that does work. Time will tell?.

Tony