Slate Digital
Introduction
Steven Slate has created a group of companies that are beginning to represent the future of the world of professional music recording. One of those companies creates control surfaces that have taken the world of professional music recording by storm. The other company is Slate Digital which has introduced a new set of technologies— a virtual microphone system and a virtual recording system. The products developed by this company seek to address an age-old issue— using software and associated hardware to shape the recording as well as the mixing process. With its brilliant virtual systems, Slate Digital has adherents in fine recording studio facilities around the world.
Which products from Slate Digital that were used by the great engineers and recording studio facilities of the past would be a great fit for the educational space?
The virtual microphone system from Slate Digital would be revolutionary for the educational space. The microphones that you would find in a mic locker in a major recording studio facility could easily cost $60,000 or more. Enter the Slate Digital VMS or virtual microphone system into the picture. One excellent condenser microphone which can (through the use of revolutionary software) emulate any of the amazing classical microphones of the past with exacting detail. To me— this product is a game-changer for the educational space. It is the perfect tool for teaching the use of the classic microphones of the past, some of which are extraordinarily rare, difficult to maintain and fragile to use. Plus, it should be mentioned that the VMS system is both easy to use and also that the microphone itself sounds quite amazing on its own.
Slate Digital— VMS ML-1
The Slate Digital VMS ML-1 is a large diaphragm condenser microphone-based system that emulates many of the great tube, condenser and ribbon microphones of the past. Having this one microphone can give you access to microphones that in the vintage or used market can cost as high as $30,000 for a unit in good condition. Imagine being able to have access to any of the great microphones of the past with just a keystroke or a mouse click-- with the ML-1, you can. This microphone with its incredible versatility and ease of use would make a great tool for the educational space.
Image: Slate VMS ML-1
Image courtesy-- Slate Digital
Slate Digital— VMS ML-2
The Slate Digital VMS ML-2 is a small diaphragm condenser microphone-based system that emulates many of the fantastic condenser and classic dynamic microphones of the past. With its small footprint and incredible versatility this microphone is perfect for the educational space just like its larger sibling. With its ability to emulate the classic dynamic microphones of the past and its small footprint, the ML-2 is the only digital microphone of its size that could be used to mic such sources as a drum kit, for example— which would serve to make it a great teaching tool.
Image: Slate VMS ML-2
Image courtesy-- Slate Digital
Why should an educational institution invest in products from Slate Digital?
Investing in products from Slate Digital means that you have an interest in teaching the future of the professional music recording industry. Not only do they make products that are on the cutting edge, but they are easy to use, durable and backed with excellent service. The products that are made by Slate Digital are perfect for the education space because they are excellent teaching tools. While their products can be seen as the first step into a digital realm for some, for others, they can be seen as important tools in preserving the heritage of the past. In my opinion, the virtual microphone systems from Slate Digital are very important tools that students should be using in the educational space.
If you would like more information about Slate Digital and the amazing products that were discussed in this article, please use the following links which are listed below.
The following link will take you to the Slate Digital website where you can learn more about this legendary corporation and also, find an authorized dealer for their fabulous products in your area.
Special Note: Each of the images in this article appear through the courtesy and generosity of the wonderful people at Slate Digital.
Special Thanks— At The Recording Session Vault Educational Website Project, we would like to take a moment to express our thanks and appreciation to Jamey Zebrack at Slate Digital for his time and assistance with this article.