Mic Modelling Dedicated Hardware vs Standalone Software?

[Saul]

i have been mulling over some options in regards to new microphones and in particular modelling mics vs standalone modelling software.

There are quite a few options on the market now but, which to choose and is it worth it?

Recently I was looking at the Universal Audio Sphere LX Microphone which, apart from the mic itself comes with software that includes 20 ribbon, condenser, and dynamic mic models such as Neumann, Telefunken, AKG, Sony, etc. I would not say the microphone itself is exactly cheap, not at retail at least and I would be looking at a used model for sure. But, is it worth it? There is no doubt that the hardware is good quality. I have the UA Volt 2 Audio/MIDI interface so I know how well their gear is made. https://www.uaudio.com/microphones/ua-s ... phone.html

Another option is the Slate Digital SL2. Another modelling mic that comes with 19 models of famous microphones. This one is much cheaper at around £150.00. https://slatedigital.com/ml2-modeling-microphone/

There is also the Antelope Edge Note which is around the same price as the Slate Digital SL2 however it requires a Antelope audio interface if you want to use the mic models that come with it. Not a great move by Antelope. Most will be looking to use their own interface with any mic they buy.
https://en.antelopeaudio.com/products/edge-note/#

And of course, IK Mulimedia are always going to be in on the act with their own range of mics and modelling software. Their Mic Room app seems to be popular and has some fairly good reviews. https://www.ikmultimedia.com/products/trmicroom/

It works standalone or with IK's own mics. It is by far the cheapest option but, it's the old software vs hardware question. Is it just as practcal to use standalone software with any mic or is it better to go with a dedicated mic and the manufacturers own modelling software?

[puremusic]

I suppose whether to get one or not really depends on what you want it for? To try out a bunch of mics and see what variety and changes it can add to your sound? Sure? To get the distinct sound of a particular high quality expensive/rare/vintage microphone? If you can't afford the one you want, sure, if you can, you'd likely be better off with the real thing.

I suspect the mic modeling software/vs hardware issue is hmm, not a great difference? Even though it will help to use a hardware reference mic to get accuracy.. I think all these modelers are probably still Jack of All Trades, Master of None, compared to getting the actual mic, at least, the more higher tier mics.

I did try out Slate's mic modeling stuff and it was just OK, I wasn't particular impressed. A lot of people do like it.

[Saul]

I went with IK Multimedia T-Racks 5 MAX v2 in the end. It includes Mic Room and there is a promotion running until the end of July which means it only costs £47/$60. I got it for £39/$49 as I already had 5 Jam Points in my account.

Considering what T-Racks 5 MAX v2 includes and that I wanted the mic modelling, it was a no-brainer. There is way too much to list here but suffice to say that I am sorted for FX plugins
https://www.ikmultimedia.com/products/tr5max/

So getting back to microphone modelling and Mic Room in particular, I am very happy with the results so far. Of course I have nothing to compare to. I have used a couple of the mics listed in the past but not enough to remember how they sounded.

I am primarily concerned with recording acoustic guitar though. And certainly from this perspective, Mic Room appears works really well. My favourite at the moment is the Brauner VM1 tube mic.

One other thing though. I spent ages faffing around trying to use Mic Room live in Cubase 13 and just could not get it to work. The plugin was there, it seemed to be working but I could not get a signal to go through it. I did also try in Studio One until I remembered that VST's don't work in the free version and I am not sure they work well in the paid version.

I don't have Logic installed at the moment so I fired up GarageBand and, it just worked! No messing about. 30 seconds in and I had my guitar going through Mic Room with no latency and was able to use all the features. Simple is nearly always the best when you just want to make music

So now the only thing I need to do is sort out the audio into the iPhone for the video. Luckily my Audio/MIDI interface is the UA Volt 2 which was designed to work with both desktop and mobile devices. I also have the correct connectors so, assuming it all goes together I should be able to knock out these two guitar videos within a very short space of time.