Townsend Labs Sphere L22 Microphone Modeling System and Apollo Twin Quad Bundle

Bundle includes the Townsend Labs Sphere L22 Microphone Modeling System and Universal Audio Apollo Twin Quad mkII Audio Interface with DSP.

• Desktop 2x6 Thunderbolt audio interface for Mac and Windows with next-generation 24-bit/192 kHz audio conversion
• UAD Unison™ technology offers stunning models of classic tube and transformer-based preamps, guitar amps, and stompboxes
• Features QUAD Core Processing for tracking through vintage compressors, EQs, tape machines, mic preamps, and guitar amp plug-ins
• Track through your Apollo and easily audition and record through vintage microphones with no latency
• Reduce bleed, room colouration, and microphone position - before or after tracking
• Change the proximity effect and polar pattern in real time or at mixdown

Package consists of:

• 1 x Townsend Labs Sphere L22 Microphone Modeling System
• 1 x Universal Audio Apollo Twin Quad MKII Thunderbolt Interface with DSP


Townsend Labs Sphere L22 Microphone Modeling System

The Sphere L22™ microphone system from Townsend Labs models the characteristics of the most sought-after large-diaphragm condenser microphones with amazing accuracy, and allows selection of different mics and patterns even after tracking.The Sphere™ system consists of a high precision dual channel microphone, which when paired with the included Sphere DSP plug-in (UAD, VST, AU, AAX Native) accurately models the response of a wide range of mics, including transient response, harmonics, proximity effect and three-dimensional polar response.

Breakthrough Microphone Modelling Technology
Sphere's three-dimensional approach captures the spatial nuances, proximity effect and off-axis frequency response of a wide range of microphones, which until now was not possible with any other product.

Dream Collection
Access some of the most prized microphones of all time, including a 47 (with VF14 tube), a 67, an M49, and a C12.

Sphere L22 Microphone
The Sphere system employs the high-resolution, dual-channel L22 large-diaphragm condenser microphone, custom designed to capture the three-dimensional soundfield with exacting detail. Manufactured to extremely tight tolerances, the L22 ensures that modelling is consistent and accurate.

Realtime UAD Processing
With Universal Audio Apollo, achieve extremely low latency (approx. 1.6ms round trip at 96kHz) for guaranteed real-time performance. Also supports native AAX, VST and AU.

Polar Pattern Modelling
Because Sphere captures the three-dimensional response of target microphones, it precisely emulates the polar patterns and other off-axis characteristics of vintage microphones which are essential to their unique sound.

Re-Mic Sphere Tracks
Select mic type, polar pattern and other settings both before and after tracking.

Adjustable Proximity Effect
No need to move a microphone solely because of too little or too much bass due to proximity effect. Great for punching in a vocal where distance from the mic varies from take to take.

Dual Mic Models
Dual Mode in the Sphere plug-in makes possible phase-coherent mixing of multiple virtual mic models from the same physical microphone, before or after tracking. It's also possible to adjust the relative phase alignment of the two mics with the Align control.

Record In Stereo (With One Mic)
With just one Sphere L22 mic it's possible to make coincident stereo recordings, and even have different mic models on the left and right channels, using the Sphere 180 plug-in

Axis Shift
Virtually rotate the axis of the mic to give a more off-axis sound before or after tracking.

Off-Axis Correction™
Create more accurate polar patterns to reduce bleed, room coloration, and susceptibility of feedback before or after tracking.

Polar Meter
The Sphere plug-in features a visually informative (and very cool) Polar Meter that dynamically displays the direction and level of sound being picked up by the microphone, as well as the currently selected polar pattern.

Low Noise
The microphone hardware has a self-noise level of 7dB-A SPL, well below most vintage microphones and comparable to many of the best modern microphones.

High SPL Handling
The L22 can handle in excess of 140dB SPL before clipping and is remarkably rugged. It won't be damaged by high SPLs or air blasts as some vintage microphones can be.


Specifications and System Requirements

Sphere L22™ Microphone
Equivalent Noise Level: 7 dB-A
Max SPL at 0.5% THD: 140dB (with -20dB pad engaged)
Pad Attenuation: -10db and -20dB
Sensitivity: 22 mV/Pa
Output Connector: 5-pin male XLR
Breakout Cable: 10' (3m) 5-pin female XLR to dual 3-pin male XLR
Weight (mic only): 1.7 lbs. (770 grams)
Dimensions (mic only): 8.9 x 2.5 inches (225mm x 63mm)
Output Impedance: 200 Ohms
Recommended Load Impedance: >1000 Ohms
Phantom Power
Voltage: 44 to 52 V per channel
Current: 5 mA per channel typical, 8 mA at max SPL

Sphere™ DSP Plug-In
Supported Plug-in Formats:
UAD
AAX Native
VST2
VST3
Audio Units (Mac only)

Supported Operating Systems
Native (AAX, VST and AU):
Mac OSX 10.8.5 and above
Windows 7 and above
Apollo Interfaces and UAD-2 hardware (AAX, VST, AU, and RTAS)
Mac OSX 10.9.5 and above
Windows 7 and above

System Requirements
4 GB of RAM
200 MB free disk space
1024 x 768 display resolution
Internet connection to download software
Two microphone preamplifiers with phantom power
Compatible plug-in host application (DAW) software supporting AAX, VST2, VST3, AU or UAD.

Current Microphone Models
LD-47
LD-49
LD-67
LD-87
LD-12
LD-251
LD-800
SD-451
RB-4038
DN-57
Sphere Linear

All modelled product names are trademarks of their respective owners, which are in no way associated or affiliated with Townsend Labs Inc. These product names and descriptions are provided for the sole purpose of identifying the specific products that were studied during Sphere's sound model development.


Universal Audio Apollo Twin Quad MKII Thunderbolt Interface with DSP

The Universal Audio Apollo Twin Quad MKII: A desktop 2x6 Thunderbolt Audio Interface with Realtime UAD-2 QUAD Core Processing for Mac and Windows.
Please note that a Thunderbolt Cable is not included with this product.

A Next-Generation Desktop Record-Making Machine — for Mac and Windows.
Apollo Twin MkII is a ground-up redesign of the world's most popular professional desktop recording interface — delivering enhanced audio conversion with the tone, feel, and flow of analogue recording. This 2x6 Thunderbolt audio interface for Mac and Windows features available onboard UAD-2 QUAD Core processing, Unison™ technology, and the next-generation A/D and D/A conversion you've heard on hundreds of hit records.

Next-Generation Apollo A/D and D/A Conversion
Apollo Twin MkII improves upon the original Apollo Twin's gold-standard audio quality with completely redesigned A/D and D/A conversion — giving you increased dynamic range and ultra-low THD. This next-generation conversion results in breathtaking clarity, depth, and accuracy in recordings — as heard on hit records by Kendrick Lamar, Coldplay, Brad Paisley, and more.

Unison™ Mic Preamp Emulation Technology for Neve, API, Manley, UA & More
A Universal Audio breakthrough, Apollo Twin MkII's Unison technology gives you the genuine tone of the world's most sought-after tube and transformer-based mic preamps — including Neve,® API,® Manley,® and UA — complete with their signature impedance, gain stage 'sweet spots', and component-level circuit behaviours.

Based on Apollo Twin MkII's unrivalled hardware-software integration, Unison lets you record at near-zero latency through preamp emulations like the included UA 610-B Tube Preamp, for authentic analogue sound unmatched by other interfaces. Unison technology is also found on Apollo Twin MkII's front panel Hi-Z instrument input, providing dead-on impedance and gain matching for exclusive guitar and bass amp models from Fender,® Marshall,® Ampeg,® and more.

Realtime UAD-2 Processing — a Studio Full of analogue Sounds
Building upon the Apollo tradition, Apollo Twin MkII opens up a range of classic analogue tones and colour via its Realtime UAD Processing. With QUAD Core processing onboard, Apollo Twin lets you record through the full range of UAD Powered Plug-Ins — at near-zero latency — including genuine analogue emulations from Neve, Studer, Ampex, API, Lexicon, Manley, Fender, and more.

Right out of the box, the Apollo Twin MkII includes the 'Realtime Analogue Classics' suite of UAD plug-ins — the UA 610-B Tube Preamp & EQ, Raw Distortion, legacy LA-2A and 1176LN compressors, Pultec EQs, and more — so you have a rack full of bonafide audio classics already onboard.

Unlike competing interfaces, the Apollo Twin MkII powers UAD plug-ins inside all major DAWs for mixing and mastering (VST, RTAS, AU, AAX 64 format), greatly offloading the processing required from your host Mac or PC.

Built to Record: Improved Monitoring and Workflow
Apollo Twin MkII offers greatly improved monitor functionality versus the original Apollo Twin — with Mute, DIM, Mono, and ALT speaker switching. It also includes monitor remote controls and a built-in talkback mic for easy communication with talent and/or recording slate cues. These features, combined with Apollo Twin MkII's scalability, make it the new standard for professional desktop recording.

Professional Performance and Scalability with Console 2
Users of Apollo Twin MkII can combine up to four Apollos and six total UAD-2 devices — adding I/O and DSP as your studio grows. Once you expand your studio with an Apollo 8, 8p, or 16 rackmount unit, you can use Apollo Twin as a desktop monitor control while still tapping its additional I/O and DSP power.

Included in the Realtime Analogue Classics Bundle:

UA 610-B Tube Preamp & EQ (Unison)
Marshall Plexi Classic Guitar Amp (Unison)
Ampeg SVT-VR Classic Bass Amp (Unison)
UA 1176LN Limiting Amplifier (Legacy)
UA 1176SE Limiting Amplifier (Legacy)
Pultec EQP-1A EQ (Legacy)
Pultec Pro EQ (Legacy)
Teletronix LA-2A Leveling Amplifier (Legacy)
Raw Distortion (Unison)
Precision Channel Strip (Precision Mix Rack Collection)
Precision Reflection Engine (Precision Mix Rack Collection)
Precision Delay Mod (Precision Mix Rack Collection)
Precision Delay Mod L (Precision Mix Rack Collection)
RealVerb Pro Custom Room Modeller