Recording - August 2019 - 36

R&R

REVIEWED &
REVISITED

Universal Audio Bill Putman Mic Collection Plugin
New UAD Powered Plugin delivers nine legendary mic models from the collection of
Universal Audio founding father Bill Putnam, for the Townsend Labs Sphere L22 Microphone
REVIEW BY PAUL VNUK JR.

t's been just shy of two years since the Townsend Labs
Sphere L22 Microphone Modeling System came on
the scene. In our April issue we looked at the nine new
Townsend models added to the original ten in the V1.2
update, and just a few weeks ago Townsend released
V1.3 which now includes AAX DSP support for HDX.
The Townsend Labs Sphere L22 package consists of the L22
large diaphragm condenser mic and the Sphere modeling
plugin. The kit comes in a briefcase that holds mic, shockmount,
hard mount, cloth storage bag, and a dual-XLR breakout cable.
The cable is an integral part of the system-it carries a separate
feed for both front and rear diaphragms, which gets split across
a stereo channel in your DAW; the Sphere plugin then processes
the two channels back to mono. Alternatively, stereo processing
can be accomplished via the included Sphere 180 plugin.
The nineteen Townsend Labs mic models are named using
telling numbers: 47, 57, 67, 87, 251 and the like. The abovementioned spilt-diaphragm capture method sets the stage for
some really deep DSP action. The voodoo in the plugin allows
you to do things like change polar patterns, alter proximity
effect, change and compensate for off-axis response, apply
filters, and adjust overall output levels-even after the initial
signal has been captured!
Universal Audio has collaborated with Townsend Labs to
develop and issue its own exclusive Sphere models in the
proprietary Universal Audio Powered Plugin format. Their
first foray, the Universal Audio Ocean Way Microphone
Collection launched back in February 2018 and included
12 microphone models from engineer Allen Sides' personal mic locker at Hollywood's Ocean Way Recording.
This month we look at the second exclusive collection by
Universal Audio. The Bill Putnam Mic Collection comprises nine mic models from the personal collection of famed
audio designer, classic producer, audio engineer, and Universal Audio's founding father, the late Bill Putnam Sr. Like
the Ocean Way collection before it, the microphones modeled in the Bill Putnam Collection carry a provenance that
includes Frank Sinatra, The Beach Boys, The Mamas and
the Papas, Ray Charles, Nat King Cole and Elvis Presley.
Let's check out what's in Mr. Putnam's mic locker.

The Classics

BP-251E: The Elam 251 is one of the most sought-after mics
in history, thanks to its balanced sound and broad range of
uses. The first 251 in this collection has an original C12 brass
capsule and a 6072 tube made originally for the US market.
36 RECORDING August 2019

BP-251A: The second 251 from Bill's collection has a very
subtle, gentle top end rounding and an equally gentle low
end extension. This is a European Elam 251 with a hardwired
AK701K tube. Both BP-251 models are a touch rounder and
more colored compared to the pristine, new-sounding LD-251
in the stock Townsend collection.
BP-47m: While the Ocean Way and Townsend collections
each offer a single Neumann U47, the Townsend model has
more air and less heft due to Bill's model having an original
M7 capsule.
BP-67: The U67 of the bunch is close to the Townsend OW-269
(a broadcast 67), but again with a touch more air. Neither are
as mellow as the Townsend LD-67. Townsend and UA have modeled the original's filter and pad features in great detail; the filter
controls in the GUI reflect the vintage mic's own feature set.
BP12A: This is a rare, early AKG C12a (the C12 with the
C414 body). This mic has been used on artists such as David
Bowie and Geddy Lee. The sound is exceptionally open, full
range, and hi-fi.
BP-37a: This capture of Bill's vintage Sony C37-A is rounded
and blunt and very focused sounding. Like the BP-67, its original voice/filter settings of M1 (Music) and V1 and V2 (Voice)
are nicely modeled.
BP-405: This is the first of three mics that Townsend calls its
'hybrid' models-essentially, any mics that are not large diaphragm condensers. Then we have a model of a Sennheiser
MKH-405 in cardioid mode and a MKH-105 in Omni mode.
The 405 is one of the first solid state pencil condenser mics in
history, often used as drum overheads. It has an RF (radio frequency) capsule that delivers a tight, focused, and neutral sound
with a very controlled top end. I like this one a lot, and I've used
it with the Sphere 180 plugin on drums and acoustic guitar.

Recording - August 2019

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