The folks that don't know what to think about this mic; just haven't used one yet. I have some choice microphones in my studio (about 140 or so). Top notch modern and vintage mics. I own 3 of these mics (Townsends,before they were sold to UA. They're the same thing). The tech is unbelievable. I know they've been out for years, and its actually amusing to me, but there's folks that think "they can't be all that". That is really funny! As far as I know they are the most technologically advanced microphones on the market, they are the most flexible, forgiving, they actually compare and hold up to the dozens of the mics that they emulate (The best microphones ever!). If that doesn't make them the best I don't know what would! If I didn't focus on live ensamble recording, with a need for dozens of microphones in use at a time, I'd probably just cash in all my vintage mics and buy a supercar or something.

I'm totally blown away by this microphone! I've been fortunate enough to work with some of the models in the sphere collection, and I can say without a doubt that this comes pretty close. Most of us will never be lucky enough or wealthy enough to afford the real thing. For those of us in the home recording studio space, this microphone sure checks a lot of boxes.

This microphone sounds fantastic, and being able to adjust the mic model and settings after-the-fact is really incredible. My only regret is not getting this (or its predecessor) years ago, because it really is all I need for recording in my home studio. Well, maybe a need a second one!

I had originally bought the Townsend sphere DLX several years ago. Universal audio purchased the company and are now selling their version of the mic.
Though essentially the same, I do find some differences.
Either way, this is a great microphone right out of the gate without the software.
Adding the software to emulate A huge selection of classic microphones is really some great stuff
Very few people could afford to have all the versions and all the mics that the software emulates. And it does an excellent job at it.
More than happy with this purchase. You can't have enough microphones

Is it perfect? No. Is it a solid 9.5/10.0? Yes, absolutely! Even without the mic models themselves this microphone sounds great, and the mic models are nothing short of incredible. Even the different models of the U87 included sound very different from one another, which I love having access to. When I first ran my voice through it I couldn't believe how great it sounded, and also how different the models were as I flipped through them. In a lot of cases it does sound like it's physically reacting differently, just like it's a totally different microphone altogether. That's something I've never quite heard on any other modeling mic. I also have discovered how good the Sony C-800G sounds using this thing, which may end up as my go-to model.

Besides the incredible sound quality, the most impressive part of this microphone is it's sheer versatility. Given that the plugin uses the stereo capability to simulate changing mic positioning, patterns and more after recording, along with a ton of other really cool tricks you can do with it, it has made mixing some of my imperfect recordings much easier than it would have been otherwise. Mixing models on each side can sound really interesting too.

The last feature that I really love is IsoSphere. It really does reduce the negative effect that the Kaotica Eyeball makes, but again, it's not perfect but very workable for mixing.

In conclusion, if you know what microphone you want and can afford it, buy that microphone. For the rest of us who can't buy multiple expensive microphones or don't know which one is our favorite yet, this is the best way to have a lot of mic models with one purchase in my opinion. Even as you build your mic cabinet out in the future, this mic will probably always have a purpose or niche to fill in your arsenal.

This is an excellent microphone. The clarity is quite impressive. Considering the cost of the microphones that it models, it is a bargain. If you have an extra $ just lying around you might want to buy some of the original mic's that this mic models. For the rest of us, this microphone is a great substitute. Now, you might wonder how accurate the modeling is. I have no idea. I've never had the opportunity to try any of the expensive mic's that this thing emulates. But I can tell you that each emulation sounds different and good. The included software is intuitive and useful for tweaking the outputs (there are two outputs for this mic). I have not been the least disappointed with the UAD Sphere DLX.

Just as my title says, a fantastic dual capsule condenser mic. Paired with UA's mic modeling plugin that can emulate many other types of classic mics (including ribbon mics) it's that much more of a versatile tool for your studio.

Been loving the mic. Haven't used every single feature as there's so much to dive into but I've been very happy with it so far! easy to use and setup, especially if you already use UAD software like console and UA connect.

After only a day of using, I can tell this is going to throw my workflow into a much higher gear. Alongside the ridiculous ease with which I can record stereo tracks moving only one mic into proper position, the ability to change mic models after recording and during mixing makes fitting the tracks together so much faster with fewer plugins. Everything sounds more cohesive! I produce in multiple genres like folk, rock, indie pop, r&b, and rap/hip-hop. Being able to capture audio and making it sound "right" from the source is so satisfying!

Recorded acoustic guitar and vocals tonight for a song I'm building out… super nice to switch from a 251 on vocals to a 67 response on acoustic with two clicks, and immediately notice how they sit differently in the mix. Currently running through some TG2-500's, which are a nice compliment.

I have so many mics at my disposal (it begs to question, why?), but I use the Sphere DLX 9/10 times on any source that requires a mono capture. Of course, I'm recording two channels at times so that I can keep my options later in the mix, but I also feel quite comfortable printing live to a mono channel in ProTools when I already know that a sound is just fits.

I really love this product and how much life it brings to my recordings. Strange to say that about a digital product, but then, look how far all modeling has come.

Thank you Townsend / UA.

The Sphere continues to impress, and the UA version is no less.

I know that there are subtle (and I mean subtle) differences between the originals and/or vintage versions of the models I use most often, like the 251's and U series Neumann mics. But the character and smoothness of several classic tube mics that I love is there, and it's easy to get a fantastic vocal chain dialed in over and over again, with no warm-up time needed, and no worries about when a tube is going to burn out.

I had a feeling that UA would eventually purchase Townsend, and I'm glad that they did. The UAD platform has incredible sounding emulations that provide near zero latency to run, so the world's most advanced modeling microphones are a great fit.

Congrats UA, and thanks Townsend for developing a product that always has me grinning to use.

The only difference I can see is the loss of the pad switch's second option... if there is more to it, I'd like to know what. I did a shoot out with the L22 (essentially this mic) and a whole bunch of the "real deal" mics that it claims to emulate. I think it did a FANTASTIC job in most cases. I have some very expensive hand built clones of a C12 and ELAM 251 and a Vintage U87, and the emulations in comparison are no more off from each other than two of the same mic might be off from one another. Just an overall amazing mic and system. My second video shows how you can do a perfect MID SIDE recording with just ONE of these mics and the results are nothing short of astounding. Worth every penny, this could be the last condenser mic you'd ever need to buy.