Universal Audio SD-3 Microphone - Out Of The Box at Front End Audio

Front End Audio
13 May 202403:59

TLDRRyan from Front End Audio reviews the Universal Audio SD-3, a dynamic microphone with a hypercardioid pattern. It offers a smooth upper mid-range, fullness in the mids, and a slightly subdued bottom end, making it ideal for recording rack toms, snare drums, and guitar cabinets. The SD-3 also features UAD Hemisphere mic modeling software for added versatility. Ryan praises its performance and compact design, highlighting its unique utility within Universal Audio's standard series.

Takeaways

  • 🎤 The SD-3 is a dynamic microphone from Universal Audio's Standard series with a hypercardioid pattern.
  • 📦 The package includes a booklet, mic mount, the microphone itself, and a zipper pouch.
  • 🛠️ The microphone has a smooth upper mid-range, providing more punch and roundness to transients, with a slightly subdued bottom end.
  • 🎶 It is well-suited for recording rack toms and guitar cabinets due to its frequency response.
  • 🏠 Ryan from Front End Audio tested the SD-3 on various drum sizes and found it to be excellent on guitar cabinets and rack toms.
  • 🔊 The SD-3 can be used on snare drums and kick drums, though for full kick drum sound, a secondary mic might be needed for the bottom end.
  • 🔧 The microphone comes with UAD Hemisphere Mic Modeling software, adding versatility to its use.
  • 🔄 Users can mismatch models for creative recording options, such as using SD-3 on snare and a different model from the SD7 for snare drum sound.
  • 🎨 The Standard series offers the flexibility to experiment with different mic models for various sound sources.
  • 🔗 An overview of the entire Standard series is available for those interested in the full line of microphones.
  • 🌐 For more information on the SD-3 and other Universal Audio products, visit Front End Audio's website.

Q & A

  • What is the Universal Audio SD-3 microphone part of?

    -The SD-3 is part of Universal Audio's standard microphone series.

  • What type of microphone is the SD-3?

    -The SD-3 is a dynamic microphone with a hypercardioid pattern.

  • What are the contents of the SD-3 package?

    -The package includes a booklet, a mic mount, the microphone itself, and a zipper pouch.

  • What is unique about the SD-3's frequency response?

    -The SD-3 has a smoother upper mid-range, more punch and roundness to the transients, fullness in the mid-range, and a slightly subdued bottom end.

  • How does the SD-3 perform on different instruments?

    -It performs well on rack toms, snare drums, guitar cabs, and bass cabs, providing a full and punchy sound.

  • What additional utility does the SD-3 offer with its UAD Hemisphere mic modeling software?

    -The UAD Hemisphere mic modeling software allows the SD-3 to emulate various microphone models, offering additional versatility and creative possibilities.

  • Can the SD-3 be mismatched with other Universal Audio microphone models for creative purposes?

    -Yes, the SD-3 can be mismatched with models from the SD7 or condenser microphones like the SP and SC series for creative effects.

  • What is the recommended use for the SD-3 in recording a kick drum?

    -It is recommended to use the SD-3 on the inside of the kick drum and have a secondary mic on the outside to help full out the bottom end.

  • How does the SD-3 compare to other microphones in the Universal Audio standard series?

    -The SD-3 is particularly known for its performance on rack toms, snare drums, and guitar cabs, with a nice mid-range fullness and smooth sound.

  • What is the opinion of Ryan from Front End Audio about the SD-3?

    -Ryan loves the SD-3 for its smooth, punchy, and full mid-range sound, and its versatility with the UAD Hemisphere software.

  • Where can more information about the SD-3 and other Universal Audio products be found?

    -More information can be found on Front End Audio's website at frontendaudio.com.

Outlines

00:00

🎤 Introduction to Universal Audio's SD3 Microphone

Ryan from Front End Audio introduces the SD3, a dynamic microphone from Universal Audio's Standard Microphone Series. The hypercardioid pattern microphone comes with a booklet, mic mount, and a zipper pouch. Ryan highlights the microphone's smooth upper mid-range, which provides punch and roundness to transients, and a full mid-range with a slightly subdued bottom end. This makes it ideal for recording rack toms, guitar cabinets, and snare drums. The microphone's performance is praised across various drum sizes and guitar cabinets, and it's noted for its compatibility with Universal Audio's UAD Hemisphere mic modeling software, offering additional mic models for enhanced versatility.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Universal Audio SD-3 Microphone

The Universal Audio SD-3 Microphone is the main subject of the video. It is a dynamic microphone known for its hypercardioid pattern, which is a type of directional pickup that is highly focused on the sound source directly in front of the microphone. In the video, it is highlighted for its versatility and sound quality, being used on various instruments such as rack toms, snare drums, guitar cabs, and kick drums.

💡Dynamic Microphone

A dynamic microphone is a type of microphone that works on the principle of electromagnetic induction. It is known for its durability and ability to handle high sound pressure levels, making it suitable for live performances and recording loud instruments. In the context of the video, the SD-3 is a dynamic microphone that offers a smooth upper mid-range and fullness in the mids.

💡Hypercardioid Pattern

The hypercardioid pattern is a directional characteristic of the microphone that picks up sound predominantly from the front and sides, while rejecting sound from the rear. This pattern is ideal for isolating a specific sound source in a mix, which is one of the features that makes the SD-3 microphone stand out in the video.

💡Frequency Response

Frequency response refers to the way a microphone reproduces different frequencies of sound. The video mentions that the SD-3 has a frequency response that complements rack toms and guitar cabs, with a slightly subdued bottom end and more fullness in the mid-range, contributing to its appealing sound quality.

💡Rack Toms

Rack toms are a type of drum used in drum kits that are mounted on a rack to elevate them. In the video, the SD-3 microphone is praised for its performance when recording rack toms, indicating that it captures the sound of these drums in a pleasing and effective way.

💡Guitar Cab

A guitar cab, short for guitar cabinet, is an enclosure for a loudspeaker used in electric guitars and bass guitars. The video script mentions that the SD-3 microphone sounds 'absolutely stellar' when used to record guitar cabs, highlighting its ability to capture the nuances of amplified guitar sounds.

💡UAD Hemisphere Mic Modeling

UAD Hemisphere Mic Modeling is a software feature that comes with the SD-3 microphone as part of the Standard series. It allows the microphone to emulate the sound of other microphones, providing additional utility and creative options for recording engineers. The video emphasizes the versatility that this software brings to the microphone's capabilities.

💡Mic Mount

A mic mount is a device used to hold a microphone in place, often in a studio or live setting. The video mentions that the SD-3 comes with a mic mount, which is a practical accessory for positioning the microphone for optimal sound capture.

💡Zippers Pouch

A zippers pouch is a type of carrying case with a zipper closure, used for storing and protecting items. In the context of the video, the SD-3 microphone comes with a zipper pouch for safekeeping when not in use.

💡MisMatch Models

The term 'misMatch Models' refers to the creative approach of using microphone models that are not traditionally associated with a particular sound source. The video script suggests that one can mismatch models for creative recording techniques, such as using a model intended for snare drums on a guitar cab, to achieve unique sonic results.

💡Front End Audio

Front End Audio is the company presenting the video and discussing the Universal Audio SD-3 microphone. They provide a platform for pro audio needs and are the source of the review and information about the microphone featured in the video.

Highlights

Introduction to the Universal Audio SD-3 Microphone by Ryan from Front End Audio.

The SD-3 is a dynamic microphone with a hypercardioid pattern.

Unboxing includes a booklet, mic mount, microphone, and a zipper pouch.

The product box features a foam insert for storing the microphone and accessories.

The microphone offers a smoother upper mid-range for more punch and roundness in transients.

It has a frequency response that complements rack toms and guitar cabinets.

Ryan's personal experience with the SD-3 on various drum sizes and guitar cabinets.

The SD-3 excels on guitar cabinets, providing a stellar sound.

It performs well on rack toms, snare drums, and floor toms.

Suggested use of the SD-3 on the inside of a kick drum with a secondary mic for the outside.

The SD-3 is part of the Standard Series and includes UAD Hemisphere Mic Modeling software.

The microphone's sound is enhanced by additional mic models available in the software.

The ability to mismatch models for creative sound applications.

Overview of the entire Standard Series of microphones available for review.

The SD-3's suitability for rack toms, snare drums, and guitar cabinets.

The compact and aesthetically pleasing design of the SD-3.

For more information, visit Front End Audio's website.