The ML-2 is a small diaphragm mic capable of recreating instrument mics - including dynamics, cardioid models of classic ribbons, small diaphragm mics and even large diaphragm mics
The ML-2 microphone is the second model in our award-winning Virtual Microphone System. This small diaphragm microphone is capable of recreating the tone of an entire mic locker of instrument mics - including dynamics like the 57 and 421, cardioid models of classic ribbons like the 121, other famous small diaphragm mics like the 451 and 222, and even large diaphragm mics like the famous 414 and tube 67.
Like its big brother the ML-1, the ML-2 was designed to have an ultra linear response with no distortion, so that it can serve as a blank canvas for our modeling software.
We tested a large number of mics during the development of the ML-2, and we found that even the most expensive small-diaphragm microphone designs saturate when micing very loud and transient-rich sources like close mic'd drums. Therefore, we added a proprietary switch on the ML-2 called "Dynamic" which attenuates the mic's output and repolarizes the capsule, allowing the ML-2 to be used in extremely high SPL situations without overloading or saturating. As a result, it can be used just like a dynamic mic on drums, guitar cabs, and more.
To get the most out of the ML-2 you can pair it with our VRS8 interface, which includes eight VMS Ultra Linear mic preamps. Additionally, the ML-2 is available a la carte and can work with any preamp, although we can't guarantee that the software emulations will be accurate.
LATENCY FREE PROCESSING
The ML-2 comes with a full plugin suite that contains 18 different microphone emulations. None of these add any latency to the audio signal, so you can track through the software without any audible monitoring delay. To accomplish this, we recommend using a Thunderbolt or fast USB interface, recording at 96khz with the lowest buffer size possible.
Speaking of interfaces, while there are many options on the market to choose from, the Slate Digital VRS8 should be at the top of your list of converters to consider. With the lowest latency of any native interface and eight VMS-One Ultra Linear microphone preamps, you'll get the highest quality and performance possible - and your ML-2's microphone emulations will perform as designed.
