These audio examples accompany my June 2025 review of the new improved Virtual Microphone System (VMS) by Slate Digital.
www.soundonsound.com/reviews/slate-digital-vms-2
As well as a new reference microphone, the new VMS system features a dedicated plug-in for choosing your virtual microphone model. Here, I've provided a few examples of how the new Radio France microphone pack sounded in my studio. The preamp used in all examples were the onboard ones in my Audient ASP8024 console with no additional processing.
01_Male Vox_RAW
In my review, I mentioned how the modelling microphone provided a solid foundation even before any emulations were engaged. This is how the mic sounded on my male singer with the software bypassed.
02_Male Vox_RF-149
Here is an example of how the RF-149 model sounded. For all these examples I nudged the ‘Intensity’ of the mic model up to 110 percent so that the character of the models are a touch more pronounced.
03_Male Vox_RF-42B Voix
This is Slate Digital’s model of the largest ribbon mic ever made. Although clearly darker, it doesn’t sound as dramatically different as you would expect for an older ribbon mic.
04_Male Vox_RF-H64
Another change of direction here with a model of a handheld small-diaphragm capacitor mic. There’s also another version of the mic in the collection that has the foam filter on, which reduces the top end.
05_Male Vox_RF Amethyste
I liked how this model of a lesser-seen Latvian large-diaphragm mic softened the top end of my singer's voice.
06_Drum Overhead_RAW
I used the new VMS mic as a mono drum overhead mic as part of a multi-mic drum setup at my studio. It provided a good alternative test to vocals; here’s how the raw mic sounded.
07_Drum Overhead_RF-24B
The differences are much more pronounced in these drum examples and none more so than this model of a large ribbon mic in its ‘Music’ setting.
08_Drum Overhead_RF-149
This is an example of how the model of a well-known large-diagram valve capacitor mic sounded. The extra brightness and articulation worked well in the mix.
09_Drum Overhead_RF-X25
Interestingly, compared to previous packs I’ve looked at, some mic models sounded somewhat similar to the raw mic, such as this example based on a popular American capacitor model.
10_Drum Overhead_RF-21B
Lastly, more of a character option here with the model of a handheld dynamic mic used by Radio France for handheld interviews ‘in the field’.