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Townsend Labs Sphere L22 Microphone Modeling System
Mic modeling system featuring L22 dual-channel large-diaphragm condenser mic and Sphere DSP plug-in (now with AAX DSP support) to give you authentic recreations of the world's most sought after microphones.
The Townsend Labs Sphere L22™ microphone system from Townsend Labs models the characteristics of the most sought-after large-diaphragm condenser microphones with amazing accuracy and allows selection of different mics and patterns even after tracking.
The Sphere® system consists of a high precision dual channel microphone, which when paired with the included Sphere plug-in (UAD, AAX DSP, AAX Native, VST, AU) accurately models the response of a wide range of mics, including transient response, harmonics, proximity effect and three-dimensional polar response.
Townsend Labs Sphere L22 Features:
- Record with the sound of microphones many have only dreamt about
- Includes over 30 extremely accurate microphone models
- Change mic type, polar pattern, and other microphone characteristics, even after tracking!
- Audition the sound of different microphones without tiring the vocalist
- Reduce bleed, undesirable room coloration, and other common issues using Off-Axis Correction™
- Record in stereo from a single microphone
IsoSphere 1.5 - Sound Isolation Filter
For many artists and engineers, changing times and technologies have led to working more from home and collaborating remotely—and often recording in less-than-ideal spaces. Townsend Labs meets these challenges with IsoSphere™ (US patent 10701481), an easy-to-use yet effective cutting-edge technology that rethinks how microphones interact with the space around them.
Microphone isolation filters (also referred to as reflection filters) and portable acoustic booths are a boon to home recordists, but they also impart their own undesirable coloration to the sound, and their effectiveness at reducing reflections and background noise is limited, especially at low to mid frequencies. IsoSphere optimizes how the Sphere L22 works together with commonly-available isolation devices—such as the sE Reflexion Filters, Aston Halo, Kaotica Eyeball, and even vocal booths. It enhances off-axis behavior for maximum rejection and modifies frequency response to compensate for unwanted coloration, leading to even better-sounding recordings.
Breakthrough Microphone Modeling Technology
Sphere’s three-dimensional approach captures the spatial nuances, proximity effect and off-axis frequency response of a wide range of microphones, which until now was not possible with any other product.
Dream Microphone Collection
Access some of the most prized microphones of all time, including a 47 (with VF14 tube), a 67, an M49, and a C12, and with the Sphere 1.5 update, there are 4 new mic models of classic microphones included!
LD-87 Modern - NEW
LD-87 Modern, based on a current production 87 in factory-shipping condition. In production for almost 35 years, the 87 has become a defacto standard for broadcast, voice-over, and many other applications. Our new LD-87 Modern model is slightly brighter and more modern-sounding than our LD-87 Vintage model, which had been in the Sphere Core collection from the beginning.
Arguably, the 87 is the world’s best-known studio microphone of all, and it’s the gold standard for many voice-over artists, podcasters, and broadcasters alike.
LD-37A Modern - NEW
LD-37A, based on a classic 1950s Japanese tube microphone which has been used by countless icons, including Sinatra, Nat King Cole, and Hendrix. Compared to other condensers, it’s known for a warmer, smoother sound, which can be good for taming sibilance and harsh high-end, yet still has enough 'air' in the upper register to avoid sounding dull.
It’s a favorite choice for drum overheads and toms for many engineers but also excels on vocals and electric guitars.
LD-37P Modern - NEW
LD-37P, based on a lesser-known FET version of the 37A Japanese tube microphone. The 37P is slightly brighter than the 37A. It can be an excellent choice to freshen up source material that is a bit dull sounding.
While the 37P is not nearly as well known as its tube predecessor, but you can still find it in prized microphone collections and at world-class studios such as Power Station/Avatar.
DN-20 - NEW
DN-20, based on an industry-standard large-diaphragm dynamic microphone used on applications ranging from broadcast and voice-over to kick drum. The microphone is often a go-to choice for spoken word applications due to its pleasant presence boost with a sharp high-frequency dip to minimize sibilance.
It’s a staple of AM/FM radio hosts and DJs around the world. Its frequency response is tailored toward voice recording but music producers and engineers also like to use this mic for kick drums, bass amps, and horns. The mic has even proved its worth for singers such as Stevie Wonder, Paul McCartney, and Radiohead’s Thom Yorke.
Mic Models Included:
- LD-87 - a modern production 87, more modern and bright than a vintage 87
- LD-37A - a classic 1950s Japanese tube microphone
- LD-37P - a lesser-known FET version of the 37A Japanese tube microphone
- DN-20- industry-standard large-diaphragm dynamic microphone
- LD-563 - an iconic East German bottle microphone from the mid-1960s
- LD-017T - a commissioned model of a current production Soyuz 017 TUBE large diaphragm microphone
- DN-409N and DN-409U - based on two different variants of the classic German 409 dynamic microphone
- DN-421N, DN-421S, and DN-421B - based on three differently sounding variants of the iconic German 421 microphone
- DN-12A and DN-12E - based on Austrian dynamic microphones
- SD-416 - based on an industry-standard shotgun microphone
- LD-47K
- LD-12
- LD-67
- LD-49K
- Sphere Linear
- LD-251
- LD-800
- LD-67 NOS
- LD-87
- LD-87 TK
- LD-414 Brass
- LD-414 Nylon
- LD-414 US
- LD-414 T2
- SD-451
- RB-4038
- RB-77DX Satin
- RB-77DX Umber
- DN-57
- DN-7
Sphere L22 Microphone
The Sphere system employs the high-resolution, dual-channel L22 large-diaphragm condenser microphone, custom designed to capture the three-dimensional soundfield with exacting detail. Manufactured to extremely tight tolerances, the L22 ensures that modeling is consistent and accurate.
Realtime UAD & AAX DSP Processing
With Universal Audio Apollo, achieve extremely low latency (approx. 1.6ms round trip at 96kHz) for guaranteed real-time performance. The AAX DSP format allows for guaranteed low-latency performance on Avid HDX systems. Sphere also supports native AAX, VST and AU.
Polar Pattern Modeling
Because Sphere captures the three-dimensional response of target microphones, it precisely emulates the polar patterns and other off-axis characteristics of vintage microphones which are essential to their unique sound.
Re-Mic Sphere Tracks
Select mic type, polar pattern and other settings both before and after tracking.
Adjustable Proximity Effect
No need to move a microphone solely because of too little or too much bass due to proximity effect. Great for punching in a vocal where distance from the mic varies from take to take.
Dual Mic Models
Dual Mode in the Sphere plug-in makes possible phase-coherent mixing of multiple virtual mic models from the same physical microphone, before or after tracking. It's also possible to adjust the relative phase alignment of the two mics with the Align control.
Record In Stereo (With One Mic)
With just one Sphere L22 mic it’s possible to make coincident stereo recordings, and even have different mic models on the left and right channels, using the Sphere 180 plug-in.
Axis Shift
Virtually rotate the axis of the mic to give a more off-axis sound before or after tracking.
Off-Axis Correction™
Create more accurate polar patterns to reduce bleed, room coloration, and susceptibility of feedback before or after tracking. For more information see the Off-Axis Correction chapter in the Sphere Hardware and Software User Guide.
Polar Meter
The Sphere plug-in features a visually informative (and very cool) Polar Meter that dynamically displays the direction and level of sound being picked up by the microphone, as well as the currently selected polar pattern.
Low Noise
The microphone hardware has a self-noise level of 7dB-A SPL, well below most vintage microphones and comparable to many of the best modern microphones.
Townsend Labs Sphere L22 PCB Closeup
High SPL Handling
The L22 can handle in excess of 140dB SPL before clipping and is remarkably rugged. It won’t be damaged by high SPLs or air blasts as some vintage microphones can be.
What's Included
Sphere L22 Microphone – high precision, dual-channel, large-diaphragm condenser studio microphone, which can be used with or without modeling
Bundled Accessories
- 10 Foot (3 Meter) Breakout Cable
- Shock Mount
- Swivel Mount
- Hard Carrying Case
- Plush Dust Cover
The Townsend Labs Sphere L22 mic modeling system gives you the authentic vintage sound of a dream mic-locker, for a fraction of the price and with modern features. Call or Live chat RSPE for more information.
Specifications and System RequirementsSphere L22™ Microphone- Equivalent Noise Level: 7 dB-A
- Max SPL at 0.5% THD: 140dB (with -20dB pad engaged)
- Pad Attenuation: -10db and -20dB
- Sensitivity: 22 mV/Pa
- Output Connector: 5-pin male XLR
- Breakout Cable: 10’ (3m) 5-pin female XLR to dual 3-pin male XLR
- Weight (mic only): 1.7 lbs. (770 grams)
- Dimensions (mic only): 8.9" x 2.5" (225mm x 63mm)
- Output Impedance: 200 Ohms
- Recommended Load Impedance: >1000 Ohms
- Phantom Power
- Voltage: 44 to 52 V per channel
- Current: 5 mA per channel typical, 8 mA at max SPL
Sphere® Core Plug-In
- Supported Plug-in Formats:
- UAD
- AAX DSP
- AAX Native
- VST2
- VST3
- Audio Units (Mac only)
- Supported Operating Systems:
- Native (AAX, VST and AU):
- Mac OSX 10.8.5 and above
- Windows 7 and above
- Apollo Interfaces and UAD-2 hardware (AAX, VST, AU, and RTAS)
- Mac OSX 10.9.5 and above
- Windows 7 and above
- System Requirements:
- 4 GB of RAM
- 200 MB free disk space
- 1024 x 768 display resolution
- Internet connection to download software
- Two microphone preamplifiers with phantom power
- Compatible plug-in host application (DAW) software supporting AAX, VST2, VST3, AU or UAD.
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