Slate Digital ML2 VMS Microphone

Product Overview The ML-2 microphone is a worthy addition to its big brother the ML-1 (the mic featured in the Virtual Microphone System). It features a similar linear and flat frequency response to its larger sibling - only in a small diaphragm size - which allows the mic to be placed in locations difficult or impossible for a larger mic. With the addition of a side-mounted switch that pads the input circuit and repolarises the capsule to increase headroom, the ML-2 allows you to utilise both dynamic and condenser emulations on instruments like drums without ever having to change a physical microphone position.

Announcing the newest member of the VMS family, the ML-2 small-diaphragm modeling microphone. Featuring the same ultra-flat and linear response as its larger sibling the ML-1, the ML-2 allows you to recreate the sound of nearly twenty microphones, including both dynamic and condenser emulations.

The ML-2 microphone is the second model in our award-winning Virtual Microphone System. This small diaphragm microphone is capable of recreating the tone of an entire mic locker of instrument mics - including dynamics like the 57 and 421, cardioid models of classic ribbons like the 121, other famous small diaphragm mics like the 451 and 222, and even large diaphragm mics like the famous 414 and tube 67.

Like its big brother the ML-1, the ML-2 was designed to have an ultra linear response with no distortion, so that it can serve as a blank canvas for our modeling software.

We tested a large number of mics during the development of the ML-2, and we found that even the most expensive small-diaphragm microphone designs saturate when micing very loud and transient-rich sources like close mic’d drums. Therefore, we added a proprietary switch on the ML-2 called “Dynamic” which attenuates the mic’s output and repolarises the capsule, allowing the ML-2 to be used in extremely high SPL situations without overloading or saturating. As a result, it can be used just like a dynamic mic on drums, guitar cabs, and more.

To get the most out of the ML-2 you can pair it with our VRS8 interface, which includes eight VMS Ultra Linear mic preamps. Additionally, the ML-2 is available a la carte and can work with any preamp, although we can't guarantee that the software emulations will be accurate. Features Latency Free Processing
The ML-2 comes with a full plugin suite that contains 18 different microphone emulations. None of these add any latency to the audio signal, so you can track through the software without any audible monitoring delay. To accomplish this, we recommend using a Thunderbolt or fast USB interface, recording at 96khz with the lowest buffer size possible.

Speaking of interfaces, while there are many options on the market to choose from, the Slate Digital VRS8 should be at the top of your list of converters to consider. With the lowest latency of any native interface and eight VMS Ultra Linear microphone preamps, you'll get the highest quality and performance possible - and your ML-2’s microphone emulations will perform as designed.

S-47F
This famous German FET microphone is know for round highs, fat mids and huge low end. It's a standard for kick drum and bass cab, but also sounds great on toms.

S-67
This is actually a model of a large diaphragm tube mic. It has smooth and slightly dark highs, thick mids, and big lows. Great on room mics, overheads, toms, snare, guitars basses, and everything else!

S-7
This is a dynamic mic that became famous as a broadcasting microphone, but its present mids make it ideal for all sorts of instruments such as kick, toms, snare, guitars, bass and more.

S-E20
This is a model of a dynamic microphone that became popular in the seventies. It has a very even frequency response while remaining fat-sounding, so it can be useful on all sorts of different sources - from vocals and electric guitar to kick drum.

S-57 Vintage
This model is a recreation of an early 80's dynamic 57, perhaps one of the most famous dynamic microphones in audio history. It's known for its punchy midrange and smooth top end, which is why it is a top choice on guitar and snare drum.

S-57 Modern
A brand new dynamic 57, this mic sounds very similar to the vintage model but with slightly smoother mids and more sizzly highs.

S-Custom Snare
This is a modified version of the S-57, with added curves from famous EQ's to enhance the sound, producing the ultimate polished snare sound.

S-112
This is a model of a famous kick drum microphone. It has a classic "bouncy" midrange and fat low end.

S-421
Another classic dynamic mic, this model is perfect on toms, kick, guitar cab, bass cab, and horns. It has thick low mids and punchy lows.

S-Custom Tom
This is a modified version of the S-421 that adds more highs and lows, and has less low mid, creating the ultimate tom sound for both rack and floor.

S-414 Normal
This is a model of one of the most famous FET large-diaphragm mics. It has clear punchy mids, slightly extended highs, and a very fat low end. It's perfect on overheads, guitar cabs, bass cabs, toms, and horns.

S-414 Dynamic
This emulation is the same as the S-414 Normal, only it has been optimised for use with the ML-2 when it's in Dynamic mode. Use this model and the ML-2's Dynamic mode when micing very loud sources.

S-12
This is a model of a vintage kick drum microphone. It has a crisp top, fat low mid, and warm bottom end.

S-Custom Kick
This is a modified version of the S-12 that adds more attack and punch, with less low mids and more defined lows.

S-222
This is a model of a famous small-diaphragm tube mic. It's bright but not harsh, with a smooth mid-range and flat low end. It's idea for drum overheads, acoustic guitars and string instruments.

S-121 Normal
This is a cardioid model of the classic ribbon mic. Like the real thing, it has fat lows and slightly dark highs, making it perfect on horns, strings, room mics, guitar cabs and overheads.

S-121 Dynamic
This emulation is the same source microphone as the S-121 Normal, only it has been optimised for use with the ML-2 when it's in Dynamic mode. Use this model and the ML-2's Dynamic mode when micing very loud sources.

S-451
This is a model of a famous small-diaphragm condenser that is smooth and clear, with a beautiful high end. It's great on snare, overheads, hi-hat, toms, guitar cabs if paired with one of the dynamic models.