First Listen! Universal Audio SD-3, SD-5, SD-7 Standard Hemisphere Microphones! With Drum Samples!

The Heat studio
13 May 202421:35

TLDRIn this video, Universal Audio introduces three new microphones: the SD-3, SD-5, and SD-7. These dynamic cardioid, hypercardioid, and supercardioid microphones are versatile for various instruments, especially drums. Highlighting their high SPL handling and sturdy metal clips, the video demonstrates their natural sound and the impact of the Hemisphere plugin, which emulates different microphone models for enhanced sound customization. A live drum session showcases the microphones' performance and the plugin's ability to adjust sound post-recording, emphasizing the technology's time-saving benefits for audio engineers and musicians.

Takeaways

  • 🎙️ Universal Audio introduces three new microphones: SD-3, SD-5, and SD-7, all part of the Standard Hemisphere series.
  • 🔊 The SD-3 is a cardioid dynamic microphone, available in single or three packs, and is versatile for various high-SPL instruments.
  • 🎵 The microphones come with sturdy metal clips for secure placement, adjustable for angle and tightness to reduce vibrations.
  • 📐 The SD-7 is a hypercardioid microphone, ideal for applications requiring more sound rejection from adjacent instruments.
  • 🔍 The SD-5 is a supercardioid microphone designed for capturing low frequencies, suitable for kick drums and bass cabinets.
  • 🎼 The microphones are demonstrated on a drum kit, alongside other models like the SD-1 for hi-hats and SP-1 for overheads.
  • 🔌 The unique feature of these microphones is the Hemisphere plugin, which emulates the sound of different classic microphones.
  • 💡 The plugin allows for recording with or without emulation, offering flexibility to decide during or post-production.
  • 🎵 The demo showcases the natural sound of the microphones and then compares it with various emulated models for different sounds.
  • 🥁 For kick drum recording, the D12 model in the plugin is highlighted for its ability to capture low-end frequencies like a subkick.
  • 📊 The video demonstrates how to blend different emulated models to achieve a desired sound, such as a massive kick drum effect.
  • 👂 The importance of listening and selecting the right emulated model for each drum or instrument is emphasized for optimal sound.

Q & A

  • What are the three new microphones introduced by Universal Audio?

    -The three new microphones introduced by Universal Audio are the SD-3 cardioid microphone, SD-5 supercardioid microphone, and SD-7 hypercardioid microphone.

  • What is special about the SD-3 microphone's polar pattern and its uses?

    -The SD-3 microphone has a cardioid polar pattern, making it multi-use for recording loud instruments such as snare drums, guitar cabinets, horns, and anything with high SPL.

  • What features do the microphones in the Universal Audio standard series come with?

    -The microphones in the Universal Audio standard series come with sturdy metal clips for angle adjustment and microphone retention, ensuring they stay in place even in environments with a lot of vibrations.

  • What is the purpose of the SD-7 hypercardioid microphone?

    -The SD-7 hypercardioid microphone is useful for instruments where more sound rejection is needed, such as percussion, horns, toms, and snare, due to its more focused polar pattern.

  • How does the SD-5 supercardioid microphone differ from the other two microphones?

    -The SD-5 supercardioid microphone is designed to pick up a lot of low frequencies, making it ideal for recording sources with high SPL that require a strong low-end presence, like kick drums or bass cabinets.

  • What is unique about the microphones' compatibility with the Hemisphere plugin?

    -The microphones are compatible with the Hemisphere plugin, which emulates the sound of other microphones, allowing users to choose from at least five different microphone models for each microphone, providing greater flexibility in recording.

  • How does the Hemisphere plugin allow for recording flexibility?

    -The Hemisphere plugin allows users to record through the microphone emulation in real-time or apply the selected model later during the mixing process, offering the choice between recording with the emulation or deciding later.

  • What is the significance of the 'DN sub' model in the Hemisphere plugin?

    -The 'DN sub' model in the Hemisphere plugin is a special emulation that captures a lot of low end, simulating the effect of a subkick without needing an additional microphone, enhancing the low-frequency response of the kick drum.

  • How does the video demonstrate the microphones' sound quality?

    -The video demonstrates the microphones' sound quality by recording a drum kit using the microphones with no additional processing or EQ, and then applying the Hemisphere emulation to showcase the different models' sound characteristics.

  • What is the practical application of the microphones' emulation capabilities in a live sound setting?

    -In a live sound setting, the microphones' emulation capabilities allow for tracks to be recorded with different microphone models without changing physical microphones, making it easier to adapt to different instruments and sounds during a live performance.

  • How does the video show the versatility of the microphones for different drum kit components?

    -The video shows the versatility by using different microphones for various components of the drum kit, such as the snare, kick drum, high hat, rack tom, floor tom, and overheads, and then demonstrating how the Hemisphere plugin can further enhance their sound.

Outlines

00:00

🎤 Introduction to Universal Audio's New Microphones

The video script introduces three new microphones from Universal Audio. The SD-3 is a dynamic cardioid microphone available in single or three packs, suitable for high SPL instruments like snare, guitar cab, or horns. It includes sturdy metal clips for angle adjustments. The SD-7 is a hypercardioid microphone, ideal for instruments requiring sound rejection, such as toms or snare drums. Lastly, the SD-5 is a supercardioid microphone designed for capturing low frequencies, perfect for kick drums or bass cabinets. All microphones are dynamic and can be used with the Hemisphere plugin for emulation of different microphone models, offering versatility in recording.

05:09

🎵 Demonstrating Microphone Sound Quality and Emulation

The script details a demo of the microphones on a drum kit, using additional microphones for high hat and overheads. The raw sound of the microphones is showcased first, followed by an exploration of the Hemisphere plugin's emulation capabilities. The plugin allows for the selection of different microphone models, including a unique DN sub model that emulates a subkick for enhanced low-end capture. The presenter demonstrates how to blend this emulation with the original kick drum recording to create a fuller sound, highlighting the flexibility and potential for creative sound design with these microphones.

10:15

🔍 Closer Look at Snare and Kick Drum Microphone Models

This section focuses on the snare and kick drum microphones, discussing the use of the SD-3 and SD-7 models. The presenter plays the snare with no emulation and then with various models, including the proximity effect adjustment. For the kick drum, the 441 model in Brilliance mode is highlighted for its top-end sizzle. The flexibility of the microphones is emphasized, allowing for the selection of models that best fit the desired sound, whether vintage or modern.

15:50

🎼 Selecting Microphone Models for Drum Kit Components

The script continues with the selection process for the drum kit components, including the high hat, rack tom, and floor tom. The presenter shares personal preferences for certain microphone models based on their sound characteristics. For instance, the 88 model is preferred for the high hat, while the 409 is chosen for the floor tom due to its low-end emphasis. The overheads are captured using SP-1's in an X and Y configuration, with the 54 model selected for its darker sound, providing a comprehensive setup for recording a full drum kit.

20:52

🔄 The Power of Hemisphere Technology in Recording Flexibility

The final paragraph emphasizes the time-saving benefits of the Hemisphere technology, which allows for the selection of different microphone models during or after recording. This flexibility is particularly useful when working with different instruments or when the sound requirements change during production. The presenter appreciates the ability to make sound decisions based on the context of the entire mix, rather than having to rely on EQ and compression to achieve the desired sound. The video concludes with an invitation for viewers to engage with the content and follow the channel for more.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Universal Audio

Universal Audio is a renowned company known for its high-quality audio equipment and software. In the context of this video, they have released a new series of microphones, which are the main focus of the presentation. The brand is associated with professional audio production and is trusted by many in the industry for its reliable and innovative products.

💡SD-3 Cardioid Microphone

The SD-3 is a dynamic cardioid microphone introduced in the video. It is versatile and can be used for various applications, such as recording snare drums, guitar cabinets, and horns. The cardioid pattern helps in capturing sound from the front while rejecting sound from the sides and rear, making it ideal for isolating a sound source in a mix.

💡High SPL

High Sound Pressure Level (SPL) refers to the ability of a microphone to handle very loud sounds without distortion. In the video, it's mentioned that the SD-3 and other microphones in the series are designed to handle high SPLs, making them suitable for recording loud instruments like drums or amplifiers.

💡Hypercardioid

Hypercardioid is a type of polar pattern for microphones that provides a tighter pickup area compared to a cardioid pattern. It is used in the SD-7 microphone discussed in the video, which is beneficial for recording instruments like toms or snare drums where sound rejection from adjacent instruments is desired.

💡Supercardioid

The supercardioid pattern is another polar pickup pattern that is tighter than cardioid but less focused than hypercardioid. The SD-5 microphone, as mentioned in the script, utilizes this pattern and is particularly adept at capturing low frequencies, making it suitable for recording kick drums or bass cabinets.

💡Hemisphere Plugin

The Hemisphere plugin is a unique software that emulates the sound of different microphones. It is featured in the video as a key aspect of the Universal Audio microphones, allowing users to change the sonic character of their recordings post-production by selecting from a variety of emulated microphone models.

💡DN Sub

The DN Sub is a specific model within the Hemisphere plugin that emulates the sound of a subkick drum. In the video, it is used to add low-end reinforcement to the kick drum recording, providing a fuller and more powerful sound without the need for additional microphones.

💡Proximity Effect

Proximity effect refers to the increase in bass response as a microphone is brought closer to a sound source. In the video, the presenter demonstrates how adjusting the proximity effect using the Hemisphere plugin can change the tone of the snare drum recording.

💡Pencil Condenser Microphones

Pencil condenser microphones are a type of condenser microphone that is often shaped like a pencil. They are used in the video for overhead miking in a drum kit. These microphones are known for their detailed and clear sound capture, which is suitable for cymbals and other high-frequency instruments.

💡Unison Preamps

Unison preamps are a technology that allows microphones to emulate the sound and coloration of classic preamplifiers. In the video, the presenter mentions that they did not use any Unison preamp emulation, but it's an option available for adding character to the recordings, which can be selected based on the desired sound for a particular song or production.

💡API and Neve

API and Neve are two famous brands known for their mixing consoles and preamplifiers, which impart a specific sonic character to recordings. In the context of the video, the presenter suggests that one might use Unison preamp emulations of API or Neve to add color to the sound, depending on the style of the music being recorded.

Highlights

Introduction of three new microphones from Universal Audio: SD-3, SD-5, and SD-7.

SD-3 is a cardioid dynamic microphone available in single or three packs, suitable for high SPL instruments.

SD-3 includes sturdy metal clips for angle adjustment and secure microphone positioning.

SD-7 is a hypercardioid microphone designed for focused sound capture with better rejection from adjacent instruments.

SD-5 is a supercardioid microphone specializing in capturing low frequencies for kick drums or bass cabinets.

All microphones in the Standard series come with a metal clip and are high SPL handling.

The microphones are used in a demo recording with George, a professional drummer.

The demo includes a comparison of microphones' natural state and with Hemisphere plugin emulation.

Hemisphere plugin emulates other microphones, offering at least five models for each microphone.

Recording can be done with or without Hemisphere emulation, offering flexibility in post-production.

The SD-1 is used for high hat, and SP-1's are used as overhead microphones in the demo.

Different Hemisphere models are tested for kick drum, showcasing the subkick emulation for enhanced low end.

The snare sound is demonstrated with the SD-3, highlighting the plugin's proximity effect.

The SD-7's hypercardioid pattern is praised for its ability to isolate the snare bottom from kick drum bleed.

Various microphone models are tested for snare, with preferences for 441 and 421b for their top-end sizzle.

The high hat recording with SD-1 is compared using different Hemisphere models, with a preference for the 88 model.

Rack tom recording with SD-7 and the selection of the 160 ribbon microphone for its unique characteristics.

Floor tom recording with SD-3 and the D4 model is highlighted for its excellence in capturing the instrument's sound.

Overhead recording with SP-1's in an ORTF configuration, and the preference for the 54 model for its darker sound.

Final mix with all chosen microphone models and the Hemisphere plugin enabled, showcasing the flexibility and time-saving aspect of the technology.

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