Slate Digital ML-2A
Small Diaphragm Modelling Microphone Stereo Pair
- Emulates up to 27 different microphones
- The VMS platform with Microphone Model Morphing blends two microphone models to create entirely new tonal landscapes
- Gold-sputtered small diaphragm capsule
- Polar pattern: Cardioid
- Pad: 0, -20 dB
- High-pass filter: 80 Hz (6 dB / Oct)
- Max. sound pressure level: 156 dB / -20 dB (with pad)
- Equivalent noise level: 16 dB (A-weighted)
- Requires 48V phantom power
- System requirements: macOS 10.15 or newer, Windows 10 or 11
- Includes Virtual Microphone System with 27 different microphone emulations, stereo bus and microphone holder
Note: Copy protection iLok Cloud service or iLok 2 / iLok 3 (Art.401447)
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Available since February 2026
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Item number 637021
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Sales Unit 1 pair(s)
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Battery Powered No
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Directional Microphone No
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Stereo Pair Yes
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switchable lowcut Yes
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switchable pad Yes
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characteristic cardoid
A pair of high-level shape-shifters
The Slate Digital ML-2A is a high-performance small-diaphragm condenser microphone that's sold by design as a matched pair for stereo recording. But a pair of ML-2A mics go well beyond what a simple stereo set is capable of: When used with the Virtual Microphone System (VMS) plugin included as standard, Slate's digital modelling technology enables the emulation of up to 36 different microphones. These include tube, condenser, and ribbon designs, making the ML-2A set an immensely flexible all-rounder suited to a wide range of professional applications. For more specialised tones, two emulated microphone models can even be combined to create hybrid characteristics. Virtual preamps can be added to introduce additional analogue-style warmth and colour. The ML-2A has been specifically designed to handle high sound pressure levels, and with its equivalent noise level of 16 dB(A), it delivers clean, detailed recordings for even the most demanding productions – whether for vocals or instruments.
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Built for very high levels
One technical spec that makes the Slate ML-2A immediately stands out is its impressive maximum sound pressure level of 156dB SPL (when the -20 dB pad is engaged via the onboard switch). A practical high-pass filter is also available directly on the microphone, with a slope of 6dB per octave at 80Hz, helping to remove low-frequency rumble such as handling noise from the signal. With its cardioid polar pattern, sound arriving from the rear is largely rejected, resulting in a focused capture. The ML-2A's capsule itself is intentionally voiced to be neutral, providing an ideal basis for its accurate reproduction of the characteristics of different microphones. These can be selected within the VMS plugin, which also includes additional tools for shaping the sound, among them a proximity slider, a mono-to-stereo widening function, and a rumble filter.
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Record first, adjust later
The Slate Digital ML-2A is aimed at music producers looking to create high-quality stereo recordings, starting with a matched pair with adjustable spacing. In combination with the VMS plugin, the system then provides access to a wide range of sought-after microphone models – from vintage classics through to modern high-end designs. As a result, there's no need for a studio to invest in or store a large collection of physical microphones, saving both cost and space. Currently, with the purchase of the ML-2A, 36 microphone models are included in the plugin on a permanent basis, with additional models added seamlessly via updates. The plugin's browser, featuring tagging and filter functions, makes it easy to find a suitable model quickly. And even if a raw microphone signal is recorded without the plugin active in the channel strip, the desired emulations and effects can still be selected and adjusted after the recording stage.
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About Slate Digital
Founded in 2008 by Steven Slate and Fabrice Gabriel, Slate Digital is headquartered in the shadow of the Hollywood Hills, with an additional location in Grenoble, France. Known for their meticulously crafted DSP plugins and audio equipment, the company has quickly earned a reputation for delivering authentically analogue sound. Manufactured exclusively in the United States, their products include best-selling microphones and software solutions that have become staples in professional audio production. Slate Digital's innovative approach has cemented their position as a key player in the professional audio industry.
Precise emulation made practical
For stereo use, the ML-2A pair is typically mounted on the stereo bar it ships with, allowing both positioning and spacing to be physically adapted to the recording situation. At the same time, a single ML-2A also works well as an instrument microphone. The Virtual Microphone System (VMS) then gives producers, engineers, and artists extensive options for shaping their sound during or after recording. Not only do the different microphone models cover everything from vintage ribbon mics to modern kick drum specialists, but the spatial characteristics of the recording itself can also be adjusted independently of the actual microphone placement. This can be done, for example, using the mono-to-stereo widening feature or the proximity slider, which simulates the proximity effect. The idea here is that the recording itself remains deliberately neutral, while defining tonal characteristics are shaped later in the mix. From there, the signal can be processed further using additional plugins, such as compression or EQ. For the most accurate results, it's worth ensuring that any digital signal processing in the audio interface or its accompanying software is disabled.
