Slate Digital ML-1A
Large-diaphragm condenser modeling microphone
Microphone$500Manufacturer list price
Specifications
- Type
- Microphone
- Description
- Large-diaphragm condenser modeling microphone
- Signal path
- Analog
- Channels
- 1
- Channel format
- Mono
- Form factor
- Side-address studio condenser, includes shock mount and carry bag
- Connection
- XLR (analog)
- DSP
- None onboard — mic modeling (18 included models, expandable via Complete Access subscription) runs in the companion VMS plugin on the host DAW, not in the microphone hardware
- Powered
- Phantom powered (48V)
- Frequency response
- 20 Hz - 20 kHz
- Max SPL
- 145 dB SPL (with -20 dB pad)
- Sensitivity
- -32.5 dB
- Polar pattern
- Cardioid
- Impedance (Ω)
- 50
- Introduced
- 2025
Details
Controls: 3-position pad switch (0 dB / -10 dB / -20 dB)
I/O: XLR output
Notes: CURRENT product (launched May 2025), successor to the discontinued original ML-1 (production ended May 1, 2025). 1-inch condenser capsule with a flat/neutral 'blank canvas' capture design — actual character/mic-model emulation happens in the bundled VMS software plugin, not in the mic itself, so this is genuine audio-path hardware (transducer + XLR output) paired with software modeling. Ships with a 3-month Complete Access plugin subscription (software, out of scope). Launch MSRP was reported at $599; $499.99 is the current listed price at Slate Digital and major retailers as of mid-2026 — flagging this price discrepancy. No current Slate Digital preamp/interface hardware exists to pair with it: the VMS ONE preamp (discontinued March 2022) and VRS8 interface (discontinued, production ended ~2021) are both end-of-life, so any standard clean mic preamp/interface is now used instead. Country of manufacture not stated on official materials.