Recording - October 2020 - 72

- Review by Bill Stunt

GAUGE Precision
Instruments Mic
Locker Plugin
GAUGE Precision Instruments has just released its
standalone Mic Locker mic modeling plugin. Previously,
Gauge released the ECM87 Mic Clone plugin, which worked
specifically with its ECM-87 LDC microphone. Mic Locker
can be used with any source in your DAW.
The virtual mic locker is well
chosen. There are five vintage
Neumann models: M 49, U
67, U 87, U 47 and U 47
FET; two AKG models: C-12
and C-414, and rounding
out the virtual collection is the
Sony C-800. I've used most
of these mics many times, so I
have a decent sonic baseline
for evaluating how well this plugin works. I started this review
with the attitude that the results would be evaluated more on my
subjective evaluation of how good and useful the sounds might
be, rather than on how well they directly mimic the modeled
mics; modeling, no matter how good, can't always replicate
the self noise, sensitivity, frequency response, and other subtle
characteristics of the modeled mic.
I set up a test session recording vocal and acoustic guitar
tracks with a variety of microphones. I started with an ultra-linear, transformerless small capsule condenser mic, chosen for its
neutral sound-I wanted the software to provide the character.
I set the slider to the Norm position and toggled through the
models to suss out the vibe and tone of each one. 

In the Locker

The M-49 setting exhibited a nice airy top end with a weighty
bottom end; a nice bit of saturation was present as well. The U
87 setting was thinner, brighter, and lighter in the mid frequencies than what I would expect from a vintage model. It might
work well on a vocal in a busy mix, but I wasn't crazy about it
on the guitar. The characteristic smooth, tubey midrange on the
U 67 setting was quite convincing. It was one of my favorites
for vocals, and the acoustic guitar sounded good in the sparse
mix. The U 47 setting didn't convey the three-dimensional magic
of a vintage specimen in good shape, but it still sounded very
good on both sources. The FET version had a tad more weight,
suggesting that it would sound quite nice on a bass cabinet.
72 RECORDING October 2020

Superimpose classic mic tones
on to your tracks with any mic
in your collection
The C12 shares a similar sonic alchemy with the U 47, but a
few subtle dips and rises in the frequency response set it apart.
I detected a slight dip in the upper mids on the C12 that was
noticeable on the vocal. The top boost is very apparent and
lovely. This one sounded great on both sources.
The C-414 setting shares the brightness of the C-12, but curiously, the software version here has a weightier bottom end.
This makes me wonder if the model here is of the mid-'70s EB
version? It was very useable on both the sources I tested.
Finally, the C-800 setting sounds silky and airy on the top
end with a solid and balanced mid and bottom response.

It sounded very good on the vocal, but I wasn't sold on the
acoustic guitar. I was spoiled by choice by this point, and other
settings sounded better for the guitar I used for this test.

To The Max

Moving the slider beyond Norm to Max adds more saturation artifacts to the sound, and I love this feature!
I tried the same experiments with a high-end LDC mic. The
results were similar, but the character of the host mic muddied
the results somewhat. Curiously, I preferred the results from the
more neutral inexpensive LDC mic.
That last bit of information should be good news to the most
likely users of this software; you won't need an expensive mic
to enjoy this plugin.

Wrap-up

If your mic budget is limited and your collection sparse, Mic
Locker will give you a nice sonic bump and useful variety. Depending on your computer, you can track through the software
or apply it later during the mix for maximum flexibility. Usually
$99, it's on sale for $49, so there is real value here.
Bill Stunt (stunt@recordingmag.com) is a recording engineer,
producer, and recording musician living in Ottawa.
Price: $99 (on sale $49) AAX, VST, AU compatible
More From: gauge-usa.com
http://www.gauge-usa.com
Recording - October 2020

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