Imagine having a world-class mic locker full of the most classic microphones from the history of the recording industry. Well, you can stop imagining.

Slate is proud to announce the Virtual Microphone System – a hybrid system that utilizes an extremely transparent condenser microphone, a sonically neutral preamp, and a plugin module that works in concert with their hardware to replicate some of the world’s finest and most sought-after microphones and preamps.

ML-1

The ML-1 is an extremely high definition, ultra linear, large diaphragm condenser microphone. It has extremely precise transparent reproduction, flat frequency response, and super wide bandwidth, making it the ideal blank canvas on which to impart the colorful vibe of classic tube and condenser microphones. The capsule proximity effect precisely replicates the classic cardioid of vintage large diaphragm Mics.

VMS PLUGIN MODULE

The final piece of the Virtual Microphone System is the VMS plugin module. This module turns the ultra clean signal coming from the VMS hardware into classic recreations of famous microphones and micro phone preamps. It accomplishes this through extremely complex algorithms that are the result of a groundbreaking new physical modeling process that is ultimately tuned by ear. The VMS algorithms 2 add zero latency, so recording in real-time through the emulations is easy on a new powerful native system.

THE MICS:

FG-47: This mic will take you back in time. It’s lush, warm, fat, present, and BIG sounding. If you have a wimpy source, it gets fixed with this mic. It doesn’t have that modern sizzly top-end air, but it takes EQ in the top end like a champion. I love adding some Custom Series 10 kHz when using this mic. By pushing the intensity, it gets even darker, moodier, and a bit more saturated. Don’t just use this microphone on vocals. Put it on drums as a room mic. Put it on the outside of a kick. Put it on horns, strings.

FG-800: The FG-800 is based on a solid performing studio vocal mic. This is a bright and airy microphone. That airy, clear, bright tone works perfectly in a pop mix with no EQ needed. When this mic works, nothing will sound as good. And it actually works a lot, even on modern male rock vocals.

FG-251: The FG-251 sounds so good on just about everything. It’s the perfect balance of top, middle, and bottom. There is something so flattering about this mic that every singer just sounds better than they do in the actual room. The intensity is really fun with this one. This mic pairs well with both preamps, so try them both using the VMR A->B system. VMS now includes the Classic Tubes 2 expansion pack!

FG-12: The FG-12 emulates an Austrian classic known for being incredibly smooth and rich-sounding. Slate chose an absolutely incredible mic to model that is the perfect representation of this famous tone. FG-800M: The FG-800M emulates an older Japanese tube mic and is slightly fatter and darker than the stock FG-800. If you love the FG-800 but wish it was a tad less sibilant and bright, you're gonna love this. FG M7: The FG-M7 takes one of the most famous dynamic vocal mics used by artists like Michael Jackson, and adds the tube stage of the classic 47 making it extremely punchy, crisp, with incredible mids that cut through the mix. Definitely gonna be a favorite!

FG-269: The FG-269 emulates an extremely rare German classic that shares much of the same circuit as the 67, but has a different tube that makes it more open and clear. This is one of the best sounding vocal mics we've ever heard.

FG67: The FG-67 emulates a German classic known for being bold, slightly dark, and thick. This is amazing as a vocal mic, room mic, horn mic, piano mic, and is probably my favorite on toms.