Hear the New Mics on Soundcloud
By Henrik Andersson Vogel |
Here's a Soundcloud playlist where you can hear the new additions to the Sphere plug-in (version 1.2). Want to try out the mic models in your own DAW? Get the free Sphere plug-in here. On the same page, you'll find sound files recorded with Sphere and even prepared sessions for the major DAWs. Now you…
Sphere L22 Receives Sound On Sound Editors' Choice Award
By Chris Townsend |
We are extremely honored to have received 2018's Sound On Sound Editors' Choice award for the Sphere L22. The award is given to what the Editors of Sound On Sound judge as the best new product of the year. Sound On Sound magazine is one of the best in the business and this is a major…
Announcing the Ocean Way Mic Collection for Sphere
By Chris Townsend |
Townsend Labs is pleased to announce the Ocean Way Microphone Collection plug-in, exclusively for UAD hardware and Apollo interfaces, which expands the capabilities of the Townsend Labs Sphere L22 microphone system* with faithful emulations of the 12 “best of the best” vintage mics from Allen Sides' world-renowned mic locker at Ocean Way Studios. A natural…
Recording Magazine Reviews the Sphere L22
By Chris Townsend |
Recording Magazine Technical Editor Paul Vnuk got his hands on a Sphere L22 microphone and wrote a review for the November 2017 issue. He concludes with: What I find so great about the Sphere L22 is not just its modeling, or its pattern control, or Axis and Proximity setting. It’s how all of it comes…
Sound On Sound: Can Sphere Defy the Laws of Physics?
By Chris Townsend |
We are excited and honored that Sound On Sound magazine has published their review of the Sphere L22 microphone system. As far as product reviews go, they are one of the best in the business. The review is very clearly written and covers just about every feature that Sphere has to offer in considerable detail.…
Audio Media Magazine Reviews the Sphere L22
By Chris Townsend |
Simon Allen of Audio Media International was kind enough to review the Townsend Labs Sphere L22. Not surprisingly, he likes it! In particular, he concludes with: "I have discovered some new favourites within the Townsend Labs mic locker, which sound every bit expensive as the originals." Click here to read the full review.
Luck Be a Sphere L22
By Chris Townsend |
The wonderfully talented Bulgarian singer, Orlin Pavlov, had a chance to put the Sphere Microphone System through its paces. Here's a video of him singing Luck Be A Lady with a heavy dose of Sinatra. During the performance the Sphere microphone models are changed, so you can hear the various options. We definitely recommend listening to this…
The 800 and 251 Mic Models Are Here
By Erik Papp |
Townsend Labs' Sphere Microphone System now includes two new models. The first is based on the classic Telefunken 251. The later is the result of a complete study of the more modern Sony C800G. The full deep tone of the 251 is balanced by a beautiful detailed top end and heard on countless hit tracks. The 251 model…
Inner Circle Podcast Interviews Chris Townsend
By Chris Townsend |
I recently had the honor of being interviewed by Bobby Owsinski for his Inner Circle podcast. He talked with me about the Sphere microphone system, the future direction of Townsend Labs and a range of other topics. Click the link below to listen to the podcast (or you can download the mp3 here). Inner Circle Podcast…
Why Directional Mics are Inherently Colored
By Chris Townsend |
There are a substantial number of microphones with an essentially flat on-axis frequency response (to within about one or two dB), but without exception these mics are omnidirectional. Typically these mics are designed for making acoustical measurements, not music recordings, but can work well for both applications. Notable brands that sell these types of mics…
Sphere Expanded - Townsend Labs Releases Sphere 1.4 Update Adding Ten New Mics
By Julian David |
Campbell, California, August 6, 2019: Townsend Labs is proud to announce that no less than ten new microphone models have been added to the Sphere plug-in—the software component in the award-winning and best-in-class Sphere L22 microphone modeling system. With the 1.4 update, which is free of charge, the collection now includes over 30 individual models.…
Pro Tools Expert Reviews Sphere for Audio Post
By Julian David |
With the recently added support for AAX DSP and the addition of the SD-416 shotgun microphone model, our Sphere L22 Microphone Modeling System becomes an even more attractive solution for post-production professionals and Pro Tools HDX users. So we asked our friends at Production Expert to have another look at Sphere from an audio post…
Soyuz Microphones and Townsend Labs Announce Collaboration
By Julian David |
Two contemporary microphone brands with very different approaches to microphone design are excited to announce their collaboration. Soyuz Microphones is known for creating high-end modern classics — microphones designed and hand manufactured in the same fashion as the iconic vintage transducers of yesteryear. Townsend Labs, on the other hand, are the inventors of multi-dimensional mic…
Sphere L22 nominated for 35th TEC Award
By Julian David |
We are honored to announce that the Sphere L22 with the version 1.3 update has been nominated for 35th TEC award in the Technical Achievement category. Following previous accolades such as the Sound on Sound Editors' Choice award, the Townsend Labs L22 continues to receive public praise. The recently released version 1.3 update of the…
Why Pros Like Billy Bush & Joe Chiccarelli Choose Sphere | Sphere Stories
By Julian David |
Why do top producers choose Sphere? Join us for this conversation with the multi-Grammy nominated producers/engineers Billy Bush and Joe Chiccarelli. In the video, the two explain why they go for the Sphere L22 Microphone Modeling System for their work with A-list artists like Morrissey, Garbage, and Silversun Pickups. You are invited to install the…
Sphere L22 now supports AAX DSP for Pro Tools HDX
By Julian David |
Townsend Labs is proud to announce that AAX DSP support is included in version 1.3 of the Sphere plug-in—the software component in the award-winning and best-in-class Sphere L22 microphone modeling system. Ever since its initial introduction, the Sphere plug-in has been available for all major native plug-in formats, as well as on Universal Audio’s UAD-2,…
KTEE sings her ‘Melody’ with the Sphere L22 | Sphere Stories
By Julian David |
Austrian singer KTEE has been singing since the moment she spoke her first word, so nailing a vocal performance at 2:00 am in a freezing warehouse is just up her alley. This was, in fact, the setup for this one-take acoustic live video showcasing our Sphere L22 microphone. Performing together with her producer and guitarist…
Why Microphone Axis Matters | Tech Talk
By Chris Townsend |
All microphones have a frequency response that is dependent on the direction that sound arrives from. Audio engineers have made use of this fact to adjust the tonality of recordings probably for as long as microphones have existed. Here's an in-depth look at why microphone axis matters, how Sphere’s mic modeling technology is different from…
Using Sphere With an Analog Tape Machine
By Jake Fader |
Over the past year plus, the Townsend Labs Sphere L22 has become one of the most important pieces of gear in my signal chain. I honestly would not want to record or produce without it at this point. So when the opportunity to purchase a 1979 MCI JH110A 1⁄2” 4 track machine came my way,…
Grand Piano Mic Model Comparison | Sphere Sounds
By Julian David |
What does the Sphere L22 sound like on a grand piano? Townsend Labs product expert Julian David recorded this piano performance by Christian Li with a spaced pair of Sphere L22s. Hear and compare select mic models from our included Core collection of more than 20 mics with Christian's improvisation titled "Patriot Peace". Check it…