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Get a Whole Locker of Tones Out of a Single Universal Audio Microphone!. Hear Universal Audio's SD-3, SD-5, and SD-7 microphones on drums.

As technology advances, studio gear gets more and more accessible to the average basement recording engineer. In the last decade or so, recording your own music has not only gotten easier, it’s become a skill that must be learned by nearly every artist if they want to survive financially while making a living out of creating music. This is where Universal Audio’s line of instrument microphones come in.

Universal Audio SD-3, SD-7, and SD-5 Microphone

The Universal Audio SD-3, SD-5, and SD-7 round out a lineup of professional dynamic microphones that utilize the potent UAD Hemisphere modeling software. This means each microphone features tone models from some of the best sounding, most legendary microphones ever crafted.

Universal Audio SD-3 Microphone
The SD-3 near some flowers.

The Drum Line

Though each of the three Standard Series dynamic microphones listed above can track many instruments or vocals, today in studio we’ll be tracking drums only. Starting with the SD-3, these compact mics boast a small footprint with a massive 40Hz – 15kHz frequency range. This frequency range gives the SD-3 five modeling options to choose from. Today we’re using an SD-3 on the rack tom and the snare bottom head.

The SD-3 "Destination Mic Models"
The SD-3 “Destination Mic Models”

The SD-5 offers a supercardioid polar pattern and a frequency range from 20Hz – 15kHz, making it the go-to for kick drum. Hemisphere offers 5 models ideal for the SD-5, including the “DN-Sub” microphone or subkick. You can really hear the low frequencies shine with the DN-Sub.

The SD-5 "Destination Mic Models"
The SD-7 "Destination Mic Models" (Right).
The SD-5 “Destination Mic Models” (Left) and the SD-7 “Destination Mic Models” (Right).
The SD-7 (snare top) and SD-3 (snare bottom) combined for a full snare feel on the track.

The SD-7 features a hypercardioid polar pattern with a frequency range of 30Hz – 17kHz, along with 5 mic models to choose from. We’re using an SD-7 on the floor tom and snare top head today. Along with the SD lineup, we’re using a stereo pair of Universal Audio SP-1 pencil condenser modeling microphones that also use the Hemisphere modeling plug-in software for our drum overheads.

Universal Audio SD-7 Microphone
The SD-7 in from of some spring blooms.

Related: Want a Big Drum Room Sound? These Three Tricks Will Save Your Mix!

Add these techniques into your repertoire and you’ll end each session with a ton more options and wider, bigger sounding drums! | Read »


Potent Secondary Adjustments and Possible Secret Settings

You’ve selected your mic model, got a great track to go off of and you’re set, right? Not exactly. Luckily, Universal Audio not only modeled a number of incredible microphones, they took the time to add individually adjustable parameters for each. It’s easy to look at the “Proximity” or “Axis” controls on your Hemisphere plug-in software and think these are global settings. But they aren’t.

The SD-5 using the Hemisphere mic model DN-6 with “Filter” set to 2 and “Proximity” set to slightly closer. This is the exact model you’re hearing on the full mix.

Each modeled microphone features a unique adjustment for these parameters, including the filter controls. This was designed as such because in “real life” if you’re tracking using an Electro-Voice RE-20, you wouldn’t use the same settings as if you were tracking with your trusty Shure SM-57. They’re fundamentally different experiences, and Universal Audio treated each model as such, just like an engineer in-studio would.

Universal Audio SD-5 Microphone
The SD-5 holding it down near flowers.
The SD-5 kick drum mic track with Hemisphere mic modeling, but no filter engaged.

For example, filtering a kick mic can have massive implications to your overall mix when choosing frequencies to cut or boost. Using the filter in Hemisphere on the SD-5 mic cuts out a fair amount of bleed from our kick drum track that has been muddying up the mix. You can clearly hear when this filter is off and then when “Filter 2” is selected through Hemisphere. Even when you plan on adding compression and EQ plug-ins, this option in Hemisphere is a huge first step in achieving a great mix.

The SD-5 kick drum mic track with Hemisphere mic modeling and the “Filter” set to “2”.

This extra bit of love that Universal Audio gave Hemisphere leads to real world applications for the everyday recording engineer. Let’s say you’re tracking a bass drum inside from the sound port on the resonant head with the Universal Audio SD-5. You only have the single kick mic but want to add a little bit of extra “oomph” to your kit sound. With Hemisphere, it’s as easy as duplicating the track, slapping on a different mic model, and adjusting your additional parameters to your liking. Just with that, you’ve got a completely different miking experience already recorded. There’s no need to bring in an artificial sample, or worse have the drummer re-track. You’re done.

A solo’d drum kit mix featuring Hemisphere modeling on the Universal Audio Standard SD mics.
A full mix featuring Hemisphere modeling on the Universal Audio Standard SD mics.

The Universal Audio Standard SD microphone line is a shortcut to a full mic locker. With the power of Hemisphere modeling, you’re in control of some legendary microphone tones without breaking the bank. These microphones would no doubt benefit an up-and-coming producer looking to legitimize their sound by reaching into the past with UAD mic models. For seasoned professionals a quick and easy way to check tones on-the-fly without re-recording, re-amping, or even opening the mic locker at all.

May 14, 2024Nicholas
1 year ago Studio Solutions
Nicholas

Nick started playing guitar in 2004 and stepped in as a drummer for his band shortly thereafter. Nick honed his performance and production skills with his projects released on labels like Deathwish Inc., Flesh & Bone, Save Your Generation, and more. At zZounds, Nick handles all Bass, Drums, and Effects Pedals marketing, and he's a huge fan of Fender Telecasters, fuzz pedals, his Marshall JTM 45, and DW Drums. Other loves are Formula 1, house cats, and Michigan history facts.

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