Review - Slate VMS - Virtual Microphone System

[@conz_tee]

11:28 FG -47 12:05 FG-251 12:41 FG-67 13:17 FG-C12 13:53 FG-800M

[@trollingisasport]

Jesus loves you child

[@fantaztikbeatz]

Thank you 😊 so much finally

[@JakeLewisReal]

800M sounds sooooo good on this particular vocal

[@wafflestoast5228]

For those who “can’t tell the difference”, I’m listening through the speaker on my iPhone on volume level 6 and I can notice the top end and upper mids changing quite a bit. In the end it’s essentially eq/saturation settings but it’s awesome that you can quick audition the different flavors.

[@jakejasonread980]

I've been waiting to hear your opinions on the VMS for quite a long time now: Great review, thanks! The difference between each microphone emulation, even in the context of a track is HUGE!

[@ContentScientist]

Thanks for the Video because, as you noted, we're not here to compare with the vintage mics. We're here to realize that we have a tool that can color our tracks (not just vocals) to our own taste. And now, we have one mic to fit any vocalist - that is an incredible benefit of this system. Again thanks for staying away from that foolishness of comparison and just giving us the goods. this is the best review of the VMS I've seen.

[@Rootwitch06]

I find that having all that dust on the VMS One really gives it a classic tone...

[@AA-mo7pw]

Rootwitch06 😂😂😂😂

[@freddyjason3142]

Do you know which one he was saying he had the advantage that made it not fair?

[@qstalk9585]

Wow!!!

[@marcusdwaynegonzalez5557]

Hilarious 😂😂 your having a bit of fun on Russell. The dust lol

[@santana9154]

Is it me or is that these mics' sound incredible for what its does. Hardware is on the way out accept it. I also noticed a difference.

[@mic980000]

Awesome review! this is the kind of review I've been looking for. Cheers

[@walkerproductions9260]

I think this is the best VMS review I've seen yet. I sold a 47 clone when I got my VMS last summer and I'm about to sell my C800G. VMS is the real deal. All the models are great but to my ears the 251 is the biggest star and sounds wonderful on every vocalist I put it on. The mic is worth the thousand bucks for that 251 model alone in my opinion.

[@TheDougSpot]

How much do you want for your c800?

[@BeauStephensonVoiceActor]

Amen sister. The 251 on my voice makes me joyous.

[@MrDonnyAir]

" I'm about to sell my C800G.." Really? Well, that's certainly saying something ( I'm not being sarcastic here, I'm sincere) and you also mentioned selling your 47 clone, so you must be very impressed with this system. Everyone knows that Sony C800's are NOT cheap mics. If you are getting similar tones with the VMS C800G, you're probably in for a sweet chunk of change when you sell your real one - because there are still plenty of purists out there who insist on using the real thing. I realize your post is a few months old, did you end up selling your C800G? ...I've had the luxury of using some of these real models over the years ( The only one out of this collection that I ever owned was the U87 (and the U89i ). But I never owned any of the other "classic" models - but I worked as a "hired-gun" engineer at other studios besides my own over the years, where some of these mics were available. AKG C12's, Sony C800's, Telefunkens a time or two, such as the U47, and the ELAM, - God, that ELAM-251 was A GORGEOUS sounding mic. I'd never heard mids that sweet before. ( I didn't use it on my voice, I was engineering for a female artist at a studio other than my own) and it was probably the sweetest sounding mic I've ever heard, before or since, at least on that artist's voice). What I remember most about using it is not what I did to her voice in the mix, but what I DIDN'T do... it sounded fantastic without me having to really "do anything" to the track, very little EQ ( if any, really, maybe a db or so of "air" up top) and just a touch of gain reduction, and that was it. I'm really curious as to how the Slate virtual models stack up. But James mentioned a really good point about these classic mics - none of them really sounded the same - they certainly didn't sound "bad" ( quite the contrary) but they did sound "different", particularly with the tube models. I'm saving up for this system. ;)

[@MrDonnyAir]

10 grand worth of mics isn't all that much, actually. You could easily spend that amount just on one mic...

[@TheDougSpot]

MrDonnyAir The point is that no producer/engineer in they're right mind would exchange a c800, or any vintage microphone + high quality pres for a $1,000 imitation. Even if it gives you a better sound, (which I highly doubt) it would be idiotic. There are studios that double they're price once they have a Sony c800g in the mic locker.

[@the_newvoice]

The wires is so much important then! Thanks for a review!

[@HiImJarney]

This microphone is so underrated! Its value is crazy and I love the honest review you made, mate ;)

[@the_newvoice]

12:41 FG-67 is fit right good and smooth here. The track you're recorded is great!

[@yonatanpandelaki]

I can confirm this review, i own the VMS myself. The value of that thing is ridiculous. I'm saving for a second one. I even thought to sell my U87ai once but scrapped the idea because the U87 is another versatile animal. Great times we live in! I really wished you make comparison with the Townsend though, even if they're apple and oranges like you said. But the concept is so similar, i really hope you still will make one just to feed our curiosity and just because you can ;)

[@Mr13allin]

yonatan pandelaki thinking about selling my u87ai for this guy and a little pocket change.. what do you advise, and which sounds better?

[@yonatanpandelaki]

Mr13allin do it like me, keep your u87 but also get the VMS if your budget allows you to. The u87 is still a workhorse which will work on 80% of the source material and it has multi pattern which VMS doesn't. My voice sounds better on the VMS but i also had vocalists which sound great on the u87. The coolest thing about the VMS is it's so versatile and the possibility to change the sound after the recording is awesome.

[@Deyomusic]

What about latency ? since its processed within daw as a plugin ..

[@conflictortiz8906]

@@Deyomusic there is none if you record every before putting plugins in your daw the only plugin you should have is the mix software

[@mcmuffin558]

yonatan pandelaki is it truly that good? Because im cant decide between ml- 1 or mojave audio 300

[@incomeinnovations247]

the FG C12 ,sounds the best to me , however i also like the sound of the FG 800M for bringing the vocal more forward. Awesome Review

[@vonrodri314]

That 251 model sounds darn dreamy. Makes me want to buy this microphone. If I buy this microphone is it highly recommended that I buy the VMS one preamp to go along with it? Or can I go on without it?

[@Frst2nxt]

I liked the second of 5 mics demoed best. Something of a subtle magic to it.

[@edrambeau1534]

I just bought the VMS mic and I need to know where you insert Melodyne when using the VSM software. VSM goes on top of the vocal track, so does Melodyne go above it or below it?

[@TaytaMade]

That fg47 made that song sound so classic... Awesome review...

[@floofytown]

This is a great review...I really appreciate the direct comparisons at the end. I'm still not convinced about this VMS thing though. All these mic models sound _too similar_ to be legit. To me, they sound like the character of the ML1 put through various filters. They don't sound like a bunch of different capsules in different mic bodies behind different cages. In the end, it's one mic! And saying that a mic and a preamp are uncolored is like saying "I don't have an accent"...of course you do! Everyone does! And every mic has it's own color! There's only so much you can do to change the tone of a microphone. The real question then, to me, is this: _how does each mic model take EQ?_ I'd guess very, very similarly. Which is not the case with different real microphones.

[@producerfuji_official]

Question I’m linking at your routing is this the best way to route your VMR TO RECORD VOCALS FOR SONGS ETC…..

[@brianweik8001]

This sounds AMAZING! Thanks for the great review (and lived the short jazz piece)! I'm convinced.

[@Trife_G]

What do you think about the Antelope modeling mics?

[@DennisLDelGado]

Good review and great presentation of different mikes on same recording. Well done.

[@ScottyBorel]

Thank you so much for this review! I absolutely loved it.

[@yonatanpandelaki]

Oh and the 47 is still my favorite, also in your example. It's the model i use 80% of the time when i record male voices. It just has the balls & warmth, i can't describe it any better ;)

[@CaryMillerOfficial]

I would be buying a pair of these mics tomorrow if they could work in figure 8, omni, AND cardiod. So far I'm seeing they only work in Cardiod...and I just need those polar patterns...I actually own most of Slates plugins (I buy them as I can afford them every few months, and have been using his plugs since they first started coming out, I don't subscribe to his service). I love that they've done this..I just need those three polar patterns damnit!

[@gregormarini]

What about latency? It is possible to record through one of the compressor PlugIns of the VMR ?

[@Allious131]

That song was so beautiful did u write that. I loved it man

[@thetaylorcronkproject2473]

Excellent review.

[@alainpatry]

A shootout between this one and the Antelope Edge Solo would be great!

[@doctari1061]

Really great review. Wish you did more samples. Cheers

[@mrali215]

If you plug the VMS into your interface, wouldn't the preamp in your interface color the signal before hitting the mic emulations?

[@Shipwrckdntweetin]

Any thoughts on the best modeling (Slate, Sphere L22, Edge Go, etc)

[@skylisszthecolossus]

Great review and it sold me on getting one soon!

[@chadbierman8058]

Thanks so much for the great reviews!! God bless!

[@KirkYardley]

Do you really need the preamp for this mic? Like would it serve you in any way? I was told all you need is the software (which comes with the mic). Many people just plug it in to their audio interface. So why are people paying for the external preamp? I just found out about this mic and I’m genuinely clueless so any feedback would be helpful

[@ST-fl5fy]

Have you tried the VMS mic and plugins using only the Apollo pre which is clean for vocals?

[@JeanmarkRodriguez]

For me the C12 sounded great with that song!

[@ReverendGuyWallis]

great video. love your accent. i just got the slate all access pass and it might be the best thing i've ever bought as far as plug-ins... i still don't have this tho and im weighing if its worth it. subscribed to you, cheers mate :)

[@KoolKatBeatz]

if u have the vms one, do u really need preamps in the software?? or vice versa?

[@AvivC1]

Quite frankly, I preferred the 67 model.. Good review!

[@maldonadocorrea]

Una pregunta . Él preamp funciona con cualquier micrófono o solo para la marca de ellos ??

[@melodyman8484]

I actually just bought this (without the pre-amp) and I was wondering if you have to use the VMS pre-amp cause I have an Avalon 737.

[@Zarabozo]

You are supposed to, if you want the emulation to produce the expected sound. Using a different preamp will change variables and produce a different sound. You may still like it.

[@melodyman8484]

Oh ok, I hear ya, but I actually do love the sound with the 737. Makes me wonder why they would even sell the mic separately (without the pre-amp).

[@johnnyhammond5044]

@@melodyman8484 I've got a UAD apollo twin interface. Was planning on just buying the mic and relying on the interface pres. Any thoughts? Do the different emulations sound good with your non vms pre setup?

[@melodyman1662]

@@johnnyhammond5044 Hey Michael, I personally think it sounds great with the set up I have using my present set up of the Apogee Ensemble and Avalon 737. I'm pretty sure the Avalon is a much better pre-amp and probably yours too compared to the Slate pre-amp.

[@ArthurStone]

Cool demo; thank you. The system sounds good.

[@Mr13allin]

can you switch the sound/ coloration of the mic, post recording? (in the box) or do you have to choose which sound you like going into your DAW?

[@ContentScientist]

Yes, you can change the mic and the pre-amp. If you have the Steven Slate Plugins, you can add them to the mix as well.

[@vigojansons]

Do you get all the emulations with it when you purchase the VMS or you only get some of them?

[@BarryJohns]

Your voice sounded best through the 47

[@humbleprogress1226]

agreed. the style of music as well is very 47.

[@beku73]

yes

[@hazybrain7]

Anybody tried tracking say a bass guitar through the preamp using the VMS preamp emulations? .. I'd be curious to hear some examples... Nice review too, sounds great

[@RealHomeRecording]

Slate has one on their KZbin channel. I wasn't a big fan of how it sounded. But your tastes may vary!

[@hazybrain7]

Yeah I checked it out, wasn't blown away either.. Cheers for the response

[@MrLawrence0071]

This shows what ridiculous profit margins these big brands take. In the end there is perhaps for a few bucks of electronics inside which they then multiply by 30 or so. Well Done Steven Slate. I ordered mine too.

[@rt-uh6mt]

What? You're upset about huge profit margins and buy this!? You just paid $999 for a $99 microphone that comes with a plugin.

[@jasonflores8675]

Do you guys think the VMS would go well with the Universal Audio Apollo? I'm getting the twin in a number of weeks and I feel that this would be by far the best way to go!

[@JamesMalcWood]

It would yup - but check out Townsend Sphere microphone too, as it is UAD supported.

[@honkytonk2010]

Awesome! Video thanks for sharing your video was very helpful

[@MisterDivineAdVenture]

FG-47 to my ear has that magic ..

[@OMALIE360]

When i first got my VMS i didn't like it.. i have voice for years with the AKG C414XLII and i guess i was looking for that tonality again but after messing with it for a few days my ears started falling in love with the FG 251 ... i really love the high end or the shimmer on that mic.. my only question is i don't mix my vocals.. just wondering if my engineers can handle that flat sound and make it sound like butter just how it sound in my studio room

[@robsenz.]

How do you feel about it now? I just traded my XLII and am waiting on up the slate mic to show up. I was sketchy about making the decision to do that cause the XLII sounded great, my only real concern about the slate is in the sibilant range, especially because of this video here.

[@freddyjason3142]

Which microphone was he saying had the advantage that made it not fair?

[@BrucePanagopoulos]

"comparing apples to... Pomegranates." That is such a better line than "oRaNgES"

[@francescobordino]

Very interesting! What's the name of the song? thanks

[@KaneLono]

the c12 and the 800 were close... C12= winner! everything else sounded dead to me! (not really) Great setup. Nice job Mr. Slate. Sexy looking mic. Pre looks pretty chepo. I'm sorry i meant cheesy. (whats with the gaping holes around the toggles)?? I like the setup. Sounds awesome through me MBP and HD600 cans. Think i'm gonna get one. =) Thanks for the Great review as usual. And...Really Nice Vocals. Did you mic the guitars with the VMS also?

[@mxvidstosee]

What about tuning the guitar once in a while ?

[@sec2succ]

So the VMS software comes for free with the Slate Microphone and VMS pre?

[@rt-uh6mt]

For "free?" I would hope so! I think most would agree it's not a high end mic, you're mostly paying for the modeling software. I bought Antares Avox 4 last summer on sale for about $150, it's a large suite of mostly vocal plugins but one of them does microphone modeling. It's nice but a very subtle thing. Honestly I only occasionally bother with it. This stuff isn't going to make or break a track.

[@hoojamaflicks]

hi james, nice review. what's the reverb on those pieces?

[@hoojamaflicks]

cool thanks for the info. do you know which patch it was?

[@MichaelCosta_]

hoojamaflicks I don't think he ever had the GUI open, so no, we don't know what preset it was.

[@hoojamaflicks]

OK Michael cheers.

[@tonysmith5564]

I think it sounds great

[@formattester6]

very good review!

[@WideOpenChange]

Will it work for a two person interview / KZbin studio type set? Without it necessarily being in the video shot?

[@Vosso]

Yes, but it's really an overkill

[@thetej2000]

Can I use my rode nt 1 with this slate VMS preamp 1 ???

[@jackkeller3252]

Durgatej Rajana yes but you can’t use the mic modeling

[@colakashmusicent]

Sounds like stewey griffin when he sings on family guy 😂👌🏿💯

[@welcome2darealr229]

With the pre amp do you still need an interface or does the pre amp runs to the pc?

[@C4Crotona]

U always need a interface. Thats how the computer picks up sound

[@serbianrock5512]

Can I use it with basic FS audio interface?

[@mastershake9374]

the fg800 m has a very nice presence. at least on my system..

[@urbansoundscarllamb]

Great review

[@PrettyLady7282]

wow! thanks for the review Slate vms. nice songs tho. liked

[@sergio_grez]

FG 67 sounds·%&@"ing AMAZING!!!

[@Cluless02]

Really like the FG-800M

[@julian_defal]

Hello how are you? a questiont please - do these SD plugins only work with Slate Digital Mic? to use VMS-One to get it right? Could you explain - Thank you

[@TheSunKing]

Does the vms need a pop filter?

[@maxlarsen]

You did do sound best on the FG12 when speaking, but FG251 on vocals, btw was the installation hard?

[@freedeeztallbikes82]

I bought the mic without the VMS thinking I didn’t need it for emulating. I’m annoyed….

[@jcleivaamoros]

I am sold on this

[@mbeliv3763]

Hi do we always need a computer for this mic? Thx

[@ScottOctober]

For the emulations, yeah you do.

[@infinitetgm]

Do i need to buy the pre amp to buy this mic?

[@IssaAzad]

No

[@sodiverseproductions7926]

Do you have to have the preamp?

[@JYCOMusik]

great video look good

[@Hugosanches594]

how do you have 2 channels, 1 per voice and other per guitar if with 1 just microphone?

[@donnythompson8029]

Overdubs. First track guitar, 2nd nylon, 3rdvocal. Send all three to a bus. Insert Slate VMS on bus.

[@sarahjohns8559]

Can I use this with a cheaper interface???????

[@alicanyilmaz8549]

Hey Sarah, you can work with any interface that has a line input :) VMS Mic Pre line out -->> Interface line input. That´s all.

[@refugioflores2226]

how do u get the software ?

[@jesse_cole]

"Apples to... pomegranates." Fucking British people, amirite?

[@davidclarkson3066]

The only thing I hear is an eq curve being applied, no change in dynamics, no change in sibilant character, I can still hear the original character of the actual mic. The claim is that the comparison is not fair, already debunks Slate's sales pitch.

[@Zarabozo]

The problem is that he didn't really play with the drive and trim controls. Yes, EQ curve is one part of the system, but harmonic character and saturation emulation is another key part of it. He kept it almost off.

[@filtafacta]

David Brent moment at 0:40! :D

[@krinodagamer1545]

251 is a beast

[@jaedii7287]

I didn't notice difference :/

[@triniticoclough6387]

Yes I heard no difference at all! it sounded the same..Also can we not just use the mic we already have...What is his mic and mic pre doing so much that its needed?

[@jaedii7287]

Yeah this emulation doesn't come close to the real things. It's literally just one mic that comes with a plugin. No matter how many effects you use, you can't make a mic sound like a different model.

[@johnyang799]

y would u even sub ? Try a different review.

[@skaylars]

Nah, you can hear it but its subtle. I recommend using headphones, I run my MDR7506's and Sonarworks to flat out the frequency response and even when youtube compresses the thing to death, I can hear subtle changes.

[@lojibaybee]

niceeeeeeeee

[@maxlarsen]

But they do sound verry similar to the real deal.

[@weedywet]

If I said "try this thing I created, it tastes exactly like an apple", then would comparing it to an actual apple be "unfair"? Hardly. Even if it's a "different apple", it should be noticeably and obviously like an apple in that comparison. WITHOUT those direct comparisons the whole concept of "modeling a vintage mic' is pointless.

[@rt-uh6mt]

Exactly, hey everyone look, for $99.99 you can pretend to have a $1000 microphone! No seriously. It's magic! Actually it's just EQing a mediocre mic to sound a little different.

[@BeauStephenson]

Dude, it's hard with 40, 50, 60+ year old mics, though. I've sung through probably a half dozen u47s here in LA at different studios, and they all sounded distinctly unique. The aging process does that unfortunately. So it really is an "unfair" comparison if your expectations aren't checked. But I totally agree with you, it's worth making the comparison to see if they're in the same family at least. Just sharing my thoughts! I own vintage mics and also own the VMS, so I see the value of both. For example, I never really liked the FG-47 emulation all that much (it's a fine emulation, just didn't scratch the itch for me) and much preferred my pair of 47s here. However, Slate released a MkII FG-47, which is just a different modeled 47, and I absolutely LOVE it, because it sounds very similar to mine. But you see, I'm a little prejudiced with my expectations, which I freely admit to and point out. Anyway, the tech is really cool. We're pretty fortunate to have access to these lovely tones.

[@TheMentalblockrock]

I get worried when someone says "quite frankly" and "trust me" so much.

[@primalcxx]

It's called a 'figure of speech'. Look it up

[@jesse_cole]

I'm the best at mics... I'm the least bad at mics person you've ever met. _Believe me._

[@jesse_cole]

MM Oh, I trust "nou."

[@ramocon]

There’s no point comparing my voice with a real singer because that would be like comparing apples with oranges !!

[@muzproducer]

Townsend much better

[@BeauStephenson]

The Townsend has some nice ones. Their 67, though, is atrocious. I'm really curious why they released such a wonky sounding emulation. The FG-37a is astoundingly good. The whole system is worth it just for that baby.

[@selmobolado]

For me all ecols.

[@LuvMusiq37]

I just purchase this can anyone tell me how to connect my studio monitors to it it I have the yamaha h7, ad where is the head phone jack

[@craigchavez9545]

LuvMusiq37 I'm assuming you have by now figured out that it is a pre amp and not an interface...right?

[@rt-uh6mt]

@@craigchavez9545 LOL - this is Steven Slate's target audience for this kind of crap. People who don't have a clue.

[@timcity]

5:45

[@rareview362]

Just say it... The Sphere is double the quality than this mic... not to say this mic isn't good for the price.

[@jl.8408]

FG C12

[@johnjackson8902]

I don't see the appeal of this thing at $1000. Yes, you can emulate famous high end mics, but you could also just buy or build clones, which will probably be as good if not better since this thing seems to be a glorified equalizer or effect rack. Actually just checked out a comparison of the real mics to the VMS and it's no contest. The real things are so much cleaner and the VMS just sounds like something that's been EQ'd to sound like another mic.