Precision Microphone System Hardware and Software Guide Version: 180525
Townsend Labs Sphere L22 Precision Microphone System Guide Table of Contents Chapter 1: Introduction .......................................................................................... 7 Chapter 2: Installation and Configuration .............................................. 9 System Requirements ........................................................................... 9 Installing the Plug-in ............................................................................. 10 Removing the Plug-in ...
Townsend Labs Sphere L22 Precision Microphone System Guide Axis .............................................................................................................. 23 Proximity Effect ....................................................................................... 23 Proximity .............................................................................................. 23 Prox EQ................................................................................................
Townsend Labs Sphere L22 Precision Microphone System Guide Keyboard and Mouse Shortcuts ...................................................... 30 Mac ....................................................................................................... 30 Windows............................................................................................... 30 Chapter 4: Using the Sphere L22 System ............................................ 31 DAW Signal Chain ...........................................
Townsend Labs Sphere L22 Precision Microphone System Guide Home and Project Studios ................................................................. 44 Off-Axis Correction ............................................................................. 44 Acoustic Treatment ............................................................................ 45 Setup for Vocal Recording ................................................................. 46 Chapter 7: Recording Acoustic Guitar ........................
Townsend Labs Sphere L22 Precision Microphone System Guide Chapter 1: Introduction Thank you for choosing the Sphere L22™ Precision Microphone system as part of your musical creative process. Developing the Sphere L22 has been a labor of love for those of us at Townsend Labs, and we hope you enjoy using it as much as we did designing and building it. At its heart, the Sphere L22 is a precision, high-quality, large-diaphragm condenser microphone.
Townsend Labs Sphere L22 Precision Microphone System Guide Introduction • Flat Frequency Response - It is possible to create a virtual mic with an extremely flat response over the entire audible spectrum (20 Hz - 20 kHz), and even compensate for the proximity effect. • Polar Meter - The plug-in features a unique, visually informative Polar Pattern Meter that dynamically displays the direction and level of sound arriving at the mic.
Townsend Labs Sphere L22 Precision Microphone System Guide Chapter 2: Installation and Configuration This section shows you how to install and configure your Sphere system: • Establish whether your system meets the System Requirements. • Install the Sphere plug-in software on Mac and Windows. • Remove the Sphere plug-in software. • Connect the Sphere microphone to your preamp. • Instantiate the Sphere plug-in on a stereo DAW track. • Calibrate the left and right preamp channels.
Townsend Labs Sphere L22 Precision Microphone System Guide Installation and Configuration Installing the Plug-in Download and install the native or UAD plug-in by following the appropriate instructions below. To install the native Townsend Labs Sphere plug-in for Mac or Windows: 1. Go to the Downloads page of the Townsend Labs website: http://townsendlabs.com/downloads. 2. Sign in or register a new account. 3. Download the plug-in installer for Mac or Windows. 4.
Townsend Labs Sphere L22 Precision Microphone System Guide Installation and Configuration Preamp Connection To connect the Sphere to your preamp: 1. Connect the 5-pin side of the included breakout connector to your Sphere mic. This cable breaks out into two conventional 3-pin XLR cables that you will connect to the preamp. 2. Route the Sphere’s white XLR output (labeled 1-Front) to the MIC 1 connector on the preamp. 3.
Townsend Labs Sphere L22 Precision Microphone System Guide Installation and Configuration Plug-in Instantiation Instantiation in a DAW To instantiate the Sphere plug-in on a DAW track: 1. Create a stereo track in your DAW. 2. Assign your preamp’s output channels to the stereo track’s inputs. 3. Select the Townsend Labs Sphere plug-in as a track insert. To use the UAD version, select UAD Townsend Labs Sphere. To use the Ocean Way version, select UAD Ocean Way Mic Collection.
Townsend Labs Sphere L22 Precision Microphone System Guide Installation and Configuration Instantiation in the Apollo Console If you connected Sphere to a Universal Audio Apollo recording interface, use the Console application for monitor and record with Sphere. To instantiate the Sphere plug-in in the Apollo Console: 1. Open Console, locate the channel pair connected to the Sphere mic, and confirm that the channels are linked and 48 V phantom power is enabled. 2.
Townsend Labs Sphere L22 Precision Microphone System Guide Installation and Configuration Although we generally recommend placing the Sphere plug-in first in the effects signal chain, good results can be achieved with the Unison plug-in in a Unison insert slot ahead of Sphere. You must apply identical settings to both channels and avoid overloading the preamp modeling.
Townsend Labs Sphere L22 Precision Microphone System Guide Installation and Configuration Analog Preamp with Continuous Gain Adjustment To calibrate the input channels on an analog mic preamp with continuous gain adjustment: 1. Connect the microphone to the preamp as previously described and enable phantom power. 2. Place the mic with the front pointing at your sound source. 3. Create a stereo track in your DAW, and assign your preamp’s output channels as its inputs.
Townsend Labs Sphere L22 Precision Microphone System Guide Installation and Configuration Hardware Mono/stereo Usage To record a source in mono, point the front of the microphone (denoted by the bullseye icon and the Townsend Labs logo) at the desired sound source. Double circle logo Bullseye logo Townsend Labs logo Figure 2-5 Sphere mic front (left); Sphere mic side (right) To record a source in stereo, orient the microphone so the double circle icon points towards the sound source.
Townsend Labs Sphere L22 Precision Microphone System Guide Chapter 3: Sphere Plug-ins The Sphere plug-ins are an essential part of the Sphere microphone system.
Townsend Labs Sphere L22 Precision Microphone System Guide Figure 3-1 Townsend Labs Sphere plug-in screens (Sphere 180 on bottom) 18 Sphere Plug-ins
Townsend Labs Sphere L22 Precision Microphone System Guide Sphere Plug-ins Figure 3-2 Ocean Way Microphone Collection plug-in screens (Ocean Way 180 on bottom) 19
Townsend Labs Sphere L22 Precision Microphone System Guide Sphere Plug-ins Figure 3-3 Bill Putnam Microphone Collection plug-in screens (Bill Putnam 180 on bottom) 20
Townsend Labs Sphere L22 Precision Microphone System Guide Sphere Plug-ins Microphone Type The Townsend Labs Sphere 180 plug-in shows the names and images of two microphone types: MIC L and MIC R (see bottom of Figure 3-1). The Townsend Labs Sphere plug-in shows the name and image of one microphone type unless in DUAL VIEW, which shows two types: MIC 1 and MIC 2. The automation control list displays the microphone types as MIC1 TYPE and MIC2 TYPE.
Townsend Labs Sphere L22 Precision Microphone System Guide Sphere Plug-ins Filter This parameter lets you adjust the mic model’s filter type. Each mic model has three filter types, even if the original microphone has fewer or no filter options. The filter types vary according to those supplied with the original mic. Each mic’s original filter type is highlighted in green. The OFF setting disengages the filter.
Townsend Labs Sphere L22 Precision Microphone System Guide Sphere Plug-ins Axis This parameter lets you adjust the tonality of the mic by virtually moving the source off-axis. For example, setting AXIS to 45º means the on-axis frequency response now matches the frequency response of the mic being modeled as if it was turned 45º. NOTE: The automation control list displays the AXIS settings as MIC1 AXIS SHIFT and MIC2 AXIS SHIFT.
Townsend Labs Sphere L22 Precision Microphone System Guide Sphere Plug-ins Align (Sphere plug-in only) This parameter is labeled STEREO WIDTH in the Sphere 180 plug-in. NOTE: The plug-in’s two mic models are perfectly phase aligned by default. With physical mics, this occurs when each diaphragm is the same distance from the source; this corresponds to setting ALIGN to 0. ALIGN lets you adjust the relative distance between them.
Townsend Labs Sphere L22 Precision Microphone System Guide Sphere Plug-ins Off-Axis Correction All mics have an inconsistent polar response across frequency. For example, even high-quality, largediaphragm, cardioid, condenser mics are only accurately cardioid in a limited frequency range, such as 1 – 2 kHz; they deviate to omni and figure-8 at lower and higher frequencies, respectively. OFF-AXIS CORRECTION is a unique DSP process that renders a more consistent off-axis response across frequency.
Townsend Labs Sphere L22 Precision Microphone System Guide Sphere Plug-ins On- and Off-Axis Distance Due to the proximity effect, directional mics achieve their stipulated polar pattern for low frequencies at a single distance. This can result in substantial coloration of the mic’s off-axis response. • ON DIST is the distance to the source being recorded. • OFF DIST is the approximate distance to background sound sources you wish to minimize, such as instrument bleed or room reflections.
Townsend Labs Sphere L22 Precision Microphone System Guide Sphere Plug-ins Reverse This parameter lets you switch the mic outputs so it points backwards. When using the Sphere 180 plug-in, this control swaps the left and right outputs. Import Click the arrow icon under IMPORT to import a Sphere preset. This allows users to share Sphere presets between different DAWs. Information The i information icon is above and to the left of the mic picture in Sphere (single view); it is not available in Sphere 180.
Townsend Labs Sphere L22 Precision Microphone System Guide Sphere Plug-ins Input/Output Meter Click the meter to toggle between displaying the input and the output levels. Polar Meter The Polar Meter™ displays the approximate amplitude and direction of sound arriving to the mic. The Polar Meter can be particularly useful to determine where bleed from other instruments is coming from. The moving yellow line in the Polar Meter shows the approximate amplitude and direction of arriving sound.
Townsend Labs Sphere L22 Precision Microphone System Guide Sphere Plug-ins Highly reverberant environments produce a more circular Polar Meter response (see Figure 3-7) showing that sound is arriving from all directions. Figure 3-7 Polar Meter showing a reverberant environment The mono Sphere plug-in shows the combined polar response of Mics 1 and 2. For example: • If the MIX control is set to 50%, the response will be an equal combination of Mics 1 and 2. • At 0% the response is fully Mic 1.
Townsend Labs Sphere L22 Precision Microphone System Guide Sphere Plug-ins Swap This parameter lets you flip the right and left input channels. If the mic outputs were connected backwards, this corrects the wiring without repatching. Auto Cal This lets you automatically calibrate the input levels. This is achieved by adjusting the rear trim control to compensate for gain differences between the front and rear channels.
Townsend Labs Sphere L22 Precision Microphone System Guide Chapter 4: Using the Sphere L22 System In many ways using a Sphere microphone is like using any conventional microphone. However, Sphere offers advanced features that are not possible with any other mic which require understanding a few new concepts and techniques. This section presents these basic concepts so you can quickly get started using your Sphere microphone system.
Townsend Labs Sphere L22 Precision Microphone System Guide Using the Sphere L22 System Preamps Although a Sphere microphone can work with virtually any two-channel mic preamp with 3-pin XLR inputs and 48 V phantom power (P48), we recommend preamps with precision digital gain control or analog stepped gain adjustment so the channel levels can be easily matched. NOTE: Digitally controlled preamps may also be referred to as “recallable” or “remoteable.
Townsend Labs Sphere L22 Precision Microphone System Guide Using the Sphere L22 System Preamp Modeling If you use a software preamp modeling plug-in, such as those from Waves or Universal Audio (when used without Unison hardware), we typically recommend placing it directly after the Sphere plug-in to match the virtual signal chain with the corresponding physical signal chain. In this case, it usually makes sense to use a clean, transparent hardware preamp, so preamp coloration is only applied once.
Townsend Labs Sphere L22 Precision Microphone System Guide Using the Sphere L22 System Single Channel Usage A Sphere L22 microphone is actually two independent, high-quality, back-to-back, cardioid, condenser mics, but it can be used as a conventional single channel mic without DSP modeling. Each output has a cardioid pattern so you can use the microphone just like any large diaphragm cardioid condenser mic.
Townsend Labs Sphere L22 Precision Microphone System Guide Using the Sphere L22 System Monitoring with the UAD Plug-in on Apollo When using Universal Audio’s Apollo Console application, monitoring with the UAD plug-in provides ultra-low latency processing and guarantees smooth real-time performance. To use the Console application to set up monitoring: 1. In your DAW, disable software input monitoring. 2.
Townsend Labs Sphere L22 Precision Microphone System Guide Using the Sphere L22 System Monitoring the Direct Analog Microphone Output To monitor the direct analog output: 1. Connect the front and rear mic outputs to your mic preamp (either standalone or as part of your audio interface). 2. Route the front output of the Sphere mic to your monitor destination. 3. Route the front and rear mic outputs to your audio interface.
Townsend Labs Sphere L22 Precision Microphone System Guide Using the Sphere L22 System Figure 4-3 (left) compares the Sphere L22 capsule alignment to a Neumann U67/U87. The crossed dashed lines show the center position of the capsules. As you can see, aligning the mic bodies significantly misaligns the capsules. Figure 4-3 (right) shows the capsule alignment compared to an AKG C414 XLS.
Townsend Labs Sphere L22 Precision Microphone System Guide Chapter 5: Off-Axis Correction The polar response of all mics varies across frequency. For example, a typical large-diaphragm, cardioid, condenser mic is only substantially cardioid in the 1 – 2 kHz region. It deviates to omni and figure-8 at lower and higher frequencies. Sphere’s Off-Axis Correction feature improves the mic’s polar response by applying DSP compensation to create a more consistent off-axis response across frequency.
Townsend Labs Sphere L22 Precision Microphone System Guide Off-Axis Correction Figure 5-2 compares the frequency response from directly behind a U87ai mic (180° off-axis, 1 m from the source, with 1/6-octave smoothing) with a Sphere mic (same position) with Off-Axis Correction enabled. The green line shows the frequency response of a Neumann U87ai; the blue line shows the response of the Sphere mic.
Townsend Labs Sphere L22 Precision Microphone System Guide Off-Axis Correction Figure 5-3 U87ai measured on-axis frequency response You can also apply any mic frequency response to any polar pattern. For example, you can combine a 4038 ribbon response (normally figure-8) with a cardioid pattern, or take a U87 model and make it hyper-cardioid. For the ribbon this can be extremely useful when trying to deal with bleed from directly behind the mic.
Townsend Labs Sphere L22 Precision Microphone System Guide Off-Axis Correction Setting the Controls The Sphere plug-in’s Off-Axis Correction section has four controls and an enable button (See OffAxis Correction on page 24 for a complete description of its controls). When the enable button is engaged, the Pattern control in this section overrides the mic model’s pattern, although the mic model pattern controls continue to affect the on-axis frequency response.
Townsend Labs Sphere L22 Precision Microphone System Guide Off-Axis Correction Rear Miking Sometimes it’s desirable to intentionally record tracks with lots of room ambience to create a sense of depth in the mix. For example, background vocals can benefit from more room sound so they sit farther back, while the lead vocal may be easier to hear if left relatively dry. You can achieve this result for background vocals by placing an omni mic farther back from the sources.
Townsend Labs Sphere L22 Precision Microphone System Guide Chapter 6: Recording Vocals Getting a great vocal sound can be challenging, especially when recording in an environment without proper acoustical treatment. For this reason, a Sphere L22 microphone with Sphere technology offers numerous features to help you get the best possible sound, whether in a professional or project studio. To record a single vocalist, you should use the Sphere plug-in.
Townsend Labs Sphere L22 Precision Microphone System Guide Recording Vocals The Room Even a studio with good acoustics may not be ideal for your application. It could be too reverberant, dry, or contain unflattering bass resonances. Repositioning the mic and/or artist is generally the best solution, but that isn’t practical if the track has already been recorded.
Townsend Labs Sphere L22 Precision Microphone System Guide Recording Vocals There are many hypercardioid mics available with fixed or multi-pattern options. For example, the AKG 414 and Neumann TLM-170 large diaphragm condenser mics have a hypercardioid option, but they are not necessarily the best sounding choices. Mic designers typically optimize the cardioid setting to sound best, followed by the omnidirectional option.
Townsend Labs Sphere L22 Precision Microphone System Guide Recording Vocals Setup for Vocal Recording To record vocals using the Sphere mic with OFF-AXIS CORRECTION enabled: 1. Setup mic as normal. 2. Select desired mic model/pattern. Feel free to experiment with different mic models and patterns (even after recording) once everything is setup. 3. Enable OFF-AXIS CORRECTION by clicking the OUT field so it reads IN. 4. Set the PATTERN to hypercardioid.
Townsend Labs Sphere L22 Precision Microphone System Guide Chapter 7: Recording Acoustic Guitar The Sphere L22 Precision Microphone System has a number of features that let you obtain a natural, traditional acoustic guitar sound, or something more modern with a wide stereo spread. The Sphere system lets you adjust mic type and polar pattern, even after tracking, which can be extremely helpful for dialing in the right sound.
Townsend Labs Sphere L22 Precision Microphone System Guide Recording Acoustic Guitar Guitar with Vocals Two Mics For a guitarist who sings, it is often desirable to record the guitar and vocal at the same time to capture alive performance, instead of relying on overdubs. Typically accomplished using separate mics for the vocal and guitar, this technique can work well but you must consider bleed from the offaxis sources.
Townsend Labs Sphere L22 Precision Microphone System Guide Recording Acoustic Guitar One potential problem is that figure-8 mics tend to have certain sonic qualities, such as significant proximity effect, that can be great for some applications but less than ideal for others. The OFF-AXIS CORRECTION feature solves this problem by letting you independently select the polar pattern from the mic type.
Townsend Labs Sphere L22 Precision Microphone System Guide Recording Acoustic Guitar Stereo Guitar One Mic For a rich, spacious sound it is often desirable to record acoustic guitar in stereo. A wonderful feature of the Sphere system is recording in stereo with one mic using the Townsend Labs Sphere 180 plug-in. By rotating the mic 90° off-axis, the front and back correspond to the left and right channel outputs, respectively.
Townsend Labs Sphere L22 Precision Microphone System Guide Recording Acoustic Guitar Another option is to line the mic up with the soundhole but at roughly the height of the guitarist’s head. This can create a more balanced sound, since both capsules receive the same level from the soundhole, but without getting a direct hit. It can also give a more natural and familiar sound because the mic capsules are positioned near the guitarist’s ears.
Townsend Labs Sphere L22 Precision Microphone System Guide Recording Acoustic Guitar Because the Sphere plug-in lets you change the mic pattern as you work (even after recording), you can switch from XY to Blumlein by simply adjusting the pattern controls from cardioid to figure-8. You can also select a sub-cardioid pattern for a narrower stereo image, or hypercardioid for a wider image without picking up as much room sound from behind the mics.
Townsend Labs Sphere L22 Precision Microphone System Guide Recording Acoustic Guitar A spaced-pair can produce excellent results but like any non-coincident technique, sound arrives at the mics at different times. This can result in comb filtering and mono incompatibility. Figure 7-7 Recording acoustic guitar in stereo using spaced pair technique To minimize phase issues, set the distance between mics to at least three times the distance from each mic to the guitar.
Townsend Labs Sphere L22 Precision Microphone System Guide Chapter 8: Stereo Recording The Sphere mic provides numerous options for stereo recording. Any stereo miking technique, such as XY, spaced pair, MS, and ORTF, can be used effectively with a pair of Sphere microphones, just as you would with conventional mics. But it’s also possible to record in stereo with a single Sphere mic. If you’re feeling adventurous, you even can record 4- or 5-channel surround with two Sphere mics.
Townsend Labs Sphere L22 Precision Microphone System Guide Stereo Recording Two Microphones Using two mics lets you employ a wider range of stereo techniques. In general, you can use the same stereo techniques you have used before, although there are some advanced features, such as OFF-AXIS CORRECTION™, which open up new options. With two Sphere mics you can even go beyond stereo to quad or 5.0 surround.
Townsend Labs Sphere L22 Precision Microphone System Guide Stereo Recording Proximity Effect When recording in stereo with directional mics, the distance from the sources are often far enough to cause the bass response to drop significantly, due to the proximity effect. For many directional mics, the flattest bass response is around a 0.5 m from the source.
Townsend Labs Sphere L22 Precision Microphone System Guide Appendix A: Troubleshooting Table A-1 Troubleshooting Guide Problem No signal from microphone. Sound is muffled and reverberant. Possible Cause Solution Microphone is not receiving Use the supplied XLR breakout cable to connect the mic to the 48-V phantom power from preamp inputs; enable phantom power on both channels. the preamp. Sound is coming into the rear of the microphone. Rotate the mic 180° so sound enters the front.
Townsend Labs Sphere L22 Precision Microphone System Guide Appendix B: Sphere L22 Specifications Sphere L22 Microphone Equivalent Noise Level Max SPL (0.
Townsend Labs Sphere L22 Precision Microphone System Guide Appendix C: Installed Locations During installation, the Sphere Native plug-ins and uninstaller are copied to these locations on the hard drive. For UAD installed locations, see the UAD System Manual: http://www.uaudio.com/support/manuals.
