The Sphere L22 is a dual-capsule microphone with dual outputs, custom-designed to capture the three-dimensional soundfield with exacting detail—including the directional and distance information otherwise lost with a conventional single-channel microphone. Remarkably rugged, the mic can handle in excess of 140 dB SPL before clipping and won't be damaged by high SPLs or air blasts as some vintage microphones can be. It also has a self-noise level of 7 dB-A SPL, well below most vintage microphones and comparable to many of the best modern microphones. Two 3-pin XLR mic preamp inputs are required for the mic, as all mic-modeling and other advanced DSP features occur in the Sphere plug-in. Note that the mic can be used with or without modeling.
The Townsend Labs Sphere L22 Precision Microphone Modeling System combines a large-diaphragm condenser microphone with the Sphere plug-in to accurately model 34 of the most sought-after vintage microphones including Neumann, Telefunken, AKG, and more. Auditioning and switching between mics during a session can be tedious, but thanks to the software, you can change mic type, polar pattern, reduce bleed, room coloration, feedback, and even adjust the proximity effect—either during or after tracking vocals, acoustic and electric guitars, stringed and wind instruments, percussion, room sound, and more.