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Verified Purchaser zZounds has verified that this reviewer purchased this specific product from us.

I rap and record vocals, I’m on the mixing journey learning from reading and watching tutorials. The thing that makes the most sense to me is get it right at the source. And let me tell you this mic does exactly that. I recorded my first song using it an I used Sony C-800 emulation on my lead vox, Neumann U87 modern emulation on my BG Vox, and the Neumann 103 emulation on the ad libs. Let me tell you I have to change my whole approach to mixing.The moves I would make mixing vocals recorded with my Aston Microphones Origin are not the moves I need to make with this mic. It sounds as good if not better than the Origins (no slight to the Origin, it’s a great mic for its price) processed vocals right out the box. And using it with my Apollo Solo printing the pultec EQ, la 2a and 1176 compressor the heavy lifting is already done I ruined my mix approaching the Sphere LX recording like I did the Origin. I listening to the tracking version I realize I don’t need to do much else to my vocals. I got it right at the source!The hardware is well built solid and the LED that lights up when it’s powered on makes you feel like you’re recording into a quality mic. UA has amazing hardware it’s the “middle man” software you have to use to get access to the plugins that suck.The most useful features are the plugin especially the iso sphere module I’m using the iso armor isolation chamber and the iso sphere module makes my recording sound like I’m in an ideal recording environment.The most un useful part is UA Connect app which you need to register the mic and get the Sphere mic collection plugin. UA Connect is not working on my iMac so I’m running the 14 day free trial of the plugin through my Apollo Solo but when that’s up The mic is just going to be a mic and for a $1000 I would choose a different mic for the sound of just one.

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Verified Purchaser zZounds has verified that this reviewer purchased this specific product from us.

The zZounds business model of attaining great products before fully purchasing the product is an awesome business strategy (for those of us who can take advantage of the wonderful business opportunity by being able to maintain superb business practices through on-time payments).!As such, the Universal Audio Sphere LX Modeling Microphone allows me and my associates to benefit from the useful microphone modeling technology of having several popular microphones in one unit; which in turn, provides great value to our clients who are Black-owned companies (by way our community initiative programs).Regarding the matching capabilities of the modeling technology within the Universal Audio Sphere LX Modeling Microphone, I’m not too critical on whether or not if I can achieve the exact same sound as a Neuman microphone (or some other expensive microphone), because of the useful benefits to add warmth, depth, tone, clarity, space, and so on (within the audio “mix” and/or audio mastering later). I'm more focused on finding a good responsive microphone that can closely emulate the more expensive microphones before the final “mix” and/or “mastering”. For example (in some aspects), it's like having an extreme flat image (found in the B-Raw technology) to later color grade to my specific taste on a case-by-case basis. Some days (depending on the project or client), I may need to saturate the colors more and on other days, I may need to closely emulate a desired referenced look (from a previously produced work). I digress.! Nevertheless, having the benefit of having several microphone emulations, benefit me and my approach to achieving a desired sound (without having a bunch of different, individual microphones at once. But, some other people may disagree). Plus, I’m a normal user of UAD products (including all of the audio -mixing and -mastering plugins, which also closely resembles or emulates the hardware versions EXTREMELY well.!