If you’ve ever wished for an infinite mic locker without the infinite price tag, Slate Digital has just dropped some exciting news. Meet the ML-2A, the newest iteration of their pioneering line of modeling microphones.
Designed as the successor to the original ML-2, this factory-matched pair of small-diaphragm cardioid condensers is poised to become the new workhorse for engineers, producers, and content creators looking for versatility without compromise.
Here is what you need to know about this new release and why it might be the next essential addition to your rig.
The Hardware: Reimagined for High-SPL
While Slate Digital is famous for their software, the ML-2A proves they are serious about hardware. These aren't just blank canvases for plugins; they are precision-engineered tools.
Building on the foundation of the ML-2, the new ML-2A offers expanded dynamic range and refined sonic detail. Whether you are capturing the delicate transient response of an acoustic guitar or the thunder of drum overheads, these mics are built to handle it.
Key hardware updates include:
- Extended Headroom: Designed to handle high-SPL sources comfortably.
- Onboard Controls: Included -20dB pad and bass roll-off switches give you control before the signal even hits your converter.
- Stereo Ready: The mics come as a factory-matched pair with a mounting bar, making them instant stereo-recording ready.
The Software: The Full VMS Library (Now Included!)
The real magic happens when the ML-2A is paired with the Virtual Microphone System (VMS) plugin. This allows you to record with the clean, linear character of the ML-2A and then swap in the sonic signature of legendary microphones—even after the recording is finished during the mix.
Perhaps the biggest news with this launch is the value proposition. Slate Digital is now shipping the ML-2A with their respective mic models included.
Gone are the days of purchasing additional mic packs. You now get immediate access to 27 microphone models, ranging from studio staples like the S-57 and S-421 dynamics to rare ribbons (S-121) and large-diaphragm condensers (S-67, S-414).
“With the ML-2A, we set out to redefine and enhance what the original ML-2 offered... [It] now unlocks our entire library of classic and modern microphone models—no more need to buy mic models as add-ons.” — Chad Carrier, VP Products, Slate Digital
Why We Are Excited
For the modern producer, workflow is everything. The ability to audition sounds with zero-latency processing while recording, or change a modeled mic from a dynamic to a ribbon during the mix to fit the track better, is a massive time-saver.
Plus, the ML-2A allows you to modify the proximity effect via software, giving you a level of control that physical microphones simply cannot offer.
ML-2A Key Features at a Glance:
- Professional Quality Hardware with rugged construction.
- Factory-Matched Pairs for precise stereo recording.
- Includes all 27 VMS Mic Models (no extra purchases required).
Includes a 3-Month Access to the "Complete Access Bundle" (150+ plugins from Slate, SSL, and Harrison Audio).
