Slate ML-1: One Budget Microphone to Rule Them All...

The Slate ML-1 Microphone claims to be over 10 microphones in one. Using emulation algorithms, this microphone aims to remake classic sounds from Neumann, Telefunken, AKG, you name it! How good are these emulations? I guess we'll find out....

---------------------------------------------

(Please note these rankings represent my subjective tastes. These lists would change with different applications, so this is a bit of an oversimplification.)

TOP THREE BUDGET CONDENSERS:

TOP THREE BUDGET DYNAMICS:

TOP THREE CONDENSERS

TOP THREE DYNAMICS:

MY CAMERA SETUP:

MY STUDIO GEAR:

MY HEADPHONES -

[HomeStudioPro]

Audio quality speaks for itself... I'm here to compliment you on the video production value! Well done.

[legacyShredder]

That Lauten FC-357 had you sounding like a silver tongued god. I've got a pair of them, and they're among my favorite mics of all time.

[xyzct]

Mr. Haze, you're channel is super fun. I always look forward to each new video. You are to be commended for your quality (Neumannesque?) output.

[somedude]

Love ya mate, your videos are pure entertainment.

[KleversonRoyther]

Man, the high end on that FET mic! Kinda soothing in a way

[petermcginty]

Great video, Ricky. Thank you. This mic is not for me as I only need 1 microphone. BUT, I always listen to your mic comparisons on my laptop speakers - because that is how my clients here me. Normally, I can barely tell the difference between the mics which you compare; but this time I could. I would suggest that if I was setting-up a music recording studio for clients with low budgets, the SD might be one of the first things that I would purchase.

[annekedebruyn]

I personally wouldn't go this route as I like switching out microphones and learning them and with the prices combined of the DLC packs,
you can get yourself a healthy mic collection for a home user.
But I do have to admire the effort they have put into this. It actually does sound (and even feel) like a different mic.
I have to wonder tho, I remember them shipping it with a ultra linear preamp. I wonder what happened to that. Maybe interfaces are good enough now these days?

[jalew]

Would love to see an ML-2 review as well! I've been debating picking one up vs starting an sm57 collection

[CrustaceousB]

Another way to avoid alligator attacks is to eat them before they eat you. Fried gator bites are amazing. 😍

[DapperDanLovesYou]

I've definitely seen Emulation done better. Granted, also at a higher price 🤔
@ 3:23 I have to know what happened, because that recording sounds *so different* from any other example. It sounds like the microphone was being addressed 90° off-axis (or a noise filter or over-aggressive DeEsser was accidentally left on).

[edclevel]

The all-in "ecosystem" price makes this much more directly competitive with the Townshend Labs (now UA) Sphere.

[benoittissier]

Nice to mention the OS. As a (mostly) Linux user, I would have enjoyed knowing if the plugin is compatible through Wine.
That would be general information, I already have too many mics.

[matt_nyc_audioengineer]

Absolutely LOVE mine! Also, good news, the mics are now included in the Slate subscription! So you don't need to purchase them separately anymore.

[EricJohnson-fhzj]

I seriously considered getting a modeling mic, but the more i looked into it the more i was convinced its mostly a gimick. Just a bit of EQ/Filter/saturation/dynamic post processing. If there's a secret sauce its bringing to the table other than that...its very minimal. Wich you can do with any mic. A good recording, EQ and mix is 1000% more beneficial. Just get a decent mid grade ($3-$500 is fine) condensor mic or 2, and a couple cheaper ynamics like the 57 and you'll be good. Above that you're not getting very many benefits and uf you cant record a hit with a $300 mic, you cant record one with a %10, 000 mic. Spend rich mic money when you're rich.

[CalebxRashad]

Is the ilok dongle required to run emulation?

[skipper]

It might be unfair to talk about a different product as an example, but Slate's VSX, their modeling headphone, has been known for being prone to hardware failures. I haven't heard of similar issues with the ML-1, but nevertheless their QC should be something to keep in mind when considering this mic.

[jamisonfrench]

UPDATE (via Slate): The Strongroom London mic expansion pack, along with the rest of our mic expansions, is now included in the All Access Pass and Complete Access Bundle. And for a limited time, the ML-1 microphone is available for just $399 (reg. $599)!

[sachinwagle]

I just got my rode nt1 thank you for so many comparisons

[evolvingevrday]

I am answering before finishing the video. At 3:44, mic 3 is way over-saturated. I would not see the point in this for a modeling mic.. hope it's not.

[ThaexakaMavro]

slate vs antelope audio vs Townsend Labs vs antare Mic Mod battle would be epic