[NAMM] Slate Digital Virtual Microphone System

The VMS (for Virtual Microphone System) combines two microphones a preamp/converter and a plug-in in which you will find models of iconic vintage microphones.

Steve Slate explains that he designed the microphones and the preamp to be as neutral as possible and then modeled all the characteristics of classic microphones (frequency response, but also all the little defaults…).

The ML1 is a condenser large diaphragm with a very wide bandwidth. According to Steve Slate, the proximity effect of the capsule reproduces the identical cardioid response of vintage large diaphragm microphones.

The smaller ML2 is designed for instruments, with its ability to handle up to 135dB SPL. This small diaphragm model will help reproduce the sound of dynamic, small diaphragm condenser and even ribbon microphones.

Both microphones will be connected to the VMS Dual Preamp Converter, a 2-channel preamplifier and converter described as ultra linear and transparent. Its is equipped with digital (AES and S/PDIF) and analog outputs and will be the bridge between the mics and the plug-in.

Last, the VMS Plug-in includes the different microphone and preamplifier emulations, which use algorithms created after physically modeling the hardware devices.

Here is a presentation of the Slate Digital VMS system, which price is announced at about $2000. More details are expected soon at www.slatedigital.com.