User Manual

Townsend Labs Sphere L22 Precision Microphone System Guide Sphere Plug-ins

Axis

This parameter lets you adjust the tonality of the mic by virtually moving the source off-axis. For

example, setting

AXIS to 45º means the on-axis frequency response now matches the frequency response

of the mic being modeled as if it was turned 45º.

NOTE: The automation control list displays the AXIS settings as MIC1 AXIS SHIFT and MIC2 AXIS SHIFT.

It is essential to differentiate AXIS from physically rotating the mic, which shifts both the polar and fre-

quency responses. Audio engineers often rotate a mic to obtain a different sound. Typically, most mics

become darker as they move off-axis relative to the source. However, it is often more useful to keep

the polar pattern constant while shifting just the tonality of the mic.

AXIS is one of the Sphere controls

that let you create hybrid mics that do not exist in reality.

NOTE: Setting AXIS above 45º is similar to orienting a physical microphone too far off-axis, and often

produces undesirable results.

Proximity Effect

Proximity

The bass response of all directional mics increases as the source gets closer to the mic. This is commonly

referred to as the proximity effect, and occurs because the mic

’s figure-8 low-frequency polar response

pattern increases as the distance to the source decreases. The

PROXIMITY control sets the amount of

figure-8 response at low frequencies.

NOTE: This control has no effect for purely omni-directional microphones.

Prox EQ

PROX EQ lets you cut or boost within the proximity effect’s low frequency range. At 0, PROX EQ has no

effect.

NOTE: Unlike PROXIMITY, PROX EQ is active even with omni-directional mic models.