Universal Audio SD‑3, SD‑5 & SD‑7

UA apply their considerable modelling expertise to a trio of moving‑coil microphones.

Few brands have maintained their heritage of classic analogue studio equipment whilst simultaneously pushing forward the world of digital audio as successfully as Universal Audio. This is very much evident in their recent microphone offerings, which include a number of premium capacitor mics made in collaboration with David Bock, as well as the Sphere DLX and LX, advanced modelling microphone systems that resulted from their acquisition of Townsend Labs in 2021.

Microphone modelling is not a new phenomenon, of course, but typically it involves modelling high‑end capacitor mics — usually models that are financially out of reach for most engineers and home recordists. UA’s new SD‑series modelling mics offer something a little different, in that they’re primarily intended to offer users emulations of a selection of more common (and affordable) moving‑coil dynamic microphones.

Model Behaviour

In 2022, UA released their debut dynamic mic, the SD‑1. This was intended to cover vocal and broadcast/podcasting applications, and was launched as part of their Standard series, which also included the SP‑1 pencil mics. A year later, UA released an affordable large‑diaphargm capacitor mic, the SC‑1, alongside a new piece of software called Hemisphere, which endows Standard‑series mics with the ability to model classic designs. And now, they’ve released a further trio of dynamic mics that can also be used with Hemisphere.

For review here we have the new SD‑3, SD‑5 and SD‑7, which are intended for typical tracking applications such as close‑miking drums or guitar cabinets. All three mics have an impressive, solid feel to them and a nice ’60s sci‑fi aesthetic that encourages you — if you’re so inclined — to hold them as mock ray guns for your amusement.

Among the models available for the SD‑3 are the Shure SM57, and its predecessor the Unidyne 545.Looking at the smallest first, the SD‑3 offers models of five very well‑known dynamic mics: the ubiquitous Shure SM57, its predecessor the Unidyne 545, the Sennheiser MD 409, the Audix D4 and the Sennheiser e604. The hefty‑looking SD‑5, as its physical size suggests, is aimed at recreating mics associated with recording kick drums and bass cabinets. Emulations of modern staples like the Shure Beta 52, Audix D6 and AKG D112 are included here, alongside a vintage AKG D12 option. Intriguingly, the SD‑5 also presents the option of recreating the ‘speaker in reverse’ trick, in which an NS‑10 speaker cone is used to capture a sub‑bass tone when being placed outside a kick drum. Lastly we have the SD‑7, which features a slightly wider frequency range than its siblings and focuses on classic Sennheiser models such as the MD 421 (both the vintage beige model and the current version), MD 441 and vintage MD 409n. I was also intrigued to see the option for the beyerdynamic M 160 ribbon mic here, as the M 160 is one of my studio’s most‑used microphones.

Enter The Hemisphere

The SD‑5 is clearly aimed at bass and kick‑drum duties, offering virtual versions of the Audix D6, AKG D12 and D112, Shure Beta 52, and the Yamaha NS‑10 speaker cone wired as a...