
Ocean Way Microphone Collection
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Get the pro sounds of a world-class studio's mic locker.
The Ocean Way Microphone Collection plug‑in for the UA Sphere modeling microphone system gives you the tones of the “best of the best” vintage mics from the world‑renowned Ocean Way Studios mic locker, hand‑selected by Grammy‑winning engineer/producer Allen Sides.
Get the classic microphone tones used on legendary records by Mary J. Blige, Stevie Wonder, and more
Record through hand-picked mics, including vintage models from Neumann,® Sony,® RCA,® and AKG,® in realtime with Apollo*
Audition classic mics before, during, and after recording with any interface, in any DAW
Change mic type or polar pattern, and reduce room sound, even after recording
Want to learn more about the UA Sphere modeling microphone system?
Included Mic Models
OW-47 (Neumann U 47)
OW-12 #1 (AKG C12)
OW-12 #2 (AKG C12)
OW-49 (Neumann M 49)
OW-269 (Neumann M 269)
OW-800 (Allen Sides’ prototype Sony C800G)
OW-50 (Neumann M 50)
OW-K53 (Neumann KM 53)
OW-K54 (Neumann KM 54)
OW-55 (Sony C55P)
OW-K3A (RCA KU-3A)
OW-57U3 (Shure SM57 Unidyne III)Take a Listen
Get the Satisfying Tone of Vintage Mics
The Ocean Way Microphone Collection gives you the rich sounds of Ocean Way Studios' favorite microphones used on countless legendary albums — including the stunning tones of their coveted Sony C800G on vocals, Neumann KM 54 and Sony C-55P on guitar, and many more.
Find your Perfect Mic in Realtime with Apollo
Audition classic mics before, during, and after recording with any interface, in any DAW. And when paired with an Apollo interface, you can do this with near‑zero latency.
Create Pro Sounds Before and After Tracking
With the Ocean Way Microphone Collection plug‑in, you can dramatically sculpt your tones by changing the proximity effect and polar pattern before and after recording.
Reduce Room Sound for Better Recordings
Easily tame room coloration for cleaner, more professional recordings using IsoSphere and its expert presets tailored for everything from your bedroom studio to popular isolation filters from sE Reflexion Filters, Aston Halo, Kaotica Eyeball,* and more.
*All trademarks are property of their respective owners and used only to represent the microphones and sound treatment modeled as part of the Ocean Way Microphone Collection plug‑in.Customer Reviews
F. MURILLO ROJO
March 17, 2023
Incredible emulation and useful plugin.
If you have an L22 ... you need it, word. Emulations sound stunning, specially U47 and C800G. I have also tried it in recordings made with my U87ai and improves it a lot when I select the...
Read MoreN. Singappulige
January 12, 2023
Amazing collection of mics
The mics are really great and sound fantastic!
Read Morel. manosalvas
January 4, 2023
Really nice
Really nice emulations didn’t expect the accuracy to be that close obviously not like the original but damn close and cannot...
Read MoreD. Bubien
December 31, 2022
OW-K53
Absolutely love this mic for acoustic guitars! Love the OW47 too. My favorite 47 in the sphere collection.
Read Morec. rosario
December 18, 2022
Definitely makes a difference
I decided to buy it, even though I don’t own the mic I use it on stereo microphone tracked recordings, and it sounds pretty decent Next step is to actually buy the microphone...
Read MoreS. El Hammami
December 5, 2022
Not really overlaping Sphere Mic Bundle
I thought it was overlaping as there were the same microphone list. Then I have tried it before purchasing it. In fact the emulation is not the same. The C800 is hotter with Ocean emulation...
Read More -
Key Features
Included Mic Models
OW-47
For over 70 years, the Neumann U 47 has stood the test of time as the ultimate studio mic. Allen Sides has acquired — and sold — more than 400 U 47s, and the OW-47 is based on his favorite, serial number 2679. The OW-47 expertly emulates the original mic’s large condenser K47 capsule and a VF14 tube, giving you the same mind-blowing detail and legendary sonics for acoustic instruments and vocals.
OW-12 #1
Released in 1953, the AKG C12 is almost always Sides’ choice as a drum overhead. It’s also his prefered mic for lush, breathy vocals. One of the most complex and intricate large-diaphragm condenser capsules ever made, the OW-12 #1 emulation is an exacting model of this classic, even capturing its classic 10 kHz-ish “bump” and high-end sheen and sparkle without accentuating sibilance.
OW-12 #2
This AKG C12 is warmer and smoother than #1, highlighting the varying flavors of this classic, as it could be custom-tuned at the AKG factory to achieve different sensitivities and frequency response curves. The OW-12 #2 captures this favorite, the same one Sides’ used to record Frank Sinatra’s vocals on his 1984 album, LA is My Lady, as well as the all-star choir for 1985’s "We Are The World."
OW-49
Based on the Neumann M 49 — a slightly smoother, less-colored sounding U 47 due to a more transparent headbasket — the OW-49 faithfully emulates this late-’50s Ocean Way favorite. This mic has been used to track vocalists from Neil Diamond and Barbra Streisand to Phil Collins and Joni Mitchell.
OW-269
The Neumann M 269 was designed for the German broadcast market and is a variation of the Neumann U 67, using a AC701k tube instead of an EF86 and offering a variable pattern switch. Notable artists that recorded with the M 269 at Ocean Way include Kenny Loggins, Little Richard, Alanis Morissette, and Johnny Rivers.
OW-800
Allen Sides and Ocean Way were involved in the very early development of the famed Sony C800G mic, and Sides was given two C800G prototypes for listening tests. The OW-800 emulation captures the prototype’s slightly warmer character than a production C800G. Notable vocalists that have recorded with this mic include Faith Hill, Mary J. Blige, Stevie Wonder, Burt Bacharach, and Brian Setzer.
OW-50
The Neumann M 50 is a very unusual omnidirectional small-diaphragm condenser mic that features a capsule mounted on a plexiglass sphere. This design produces a nice high-frequency rise and an off-axis response which becomes more directional at higher frequencies resulting in the sound the M 50 is known and loved for. The OW-50 model is based on the earlier M 50a variant with serial number 294. Allen Sides chose this as the best M 50 specimen in his collection, as many famous movie scores have been recorded at Ocean Way Studios using this mic including E.T., Superman, 1941, Jaws II, Star Trek, Taxi Driver, and countless others.
OW-K53
Released in 1953, the Neumann KM 53 is an end-address small-diaphragm condenser that uses the Telefunken AC701 subminiature triode tube. The KM 53 has an omnidirectional capsule derived from the M 50, but has a very different sound due to the body configuration. The OW-K53 emulation, when set to an omni pattern, is based on a KM 53 from Allen Sides’ personal collection and captures the original’s unmatched transient response.
OW-K54
Introduced in 1954, the Neumann KM 54 is a cardioid, end-address small-diaphragm condenser, and utilizes the Telefunken AC701 subminiature triode tube. The OW-K54 model, when set to a cardioid pattern, is based on Sides’ favorite KM 54, and sports an amazing transient response. At Ocean Way, the KM 54 has been put to great use recording acoustic guitar and strings for the likes of Larry Carlton, Ry Cooder, Yo Yo Ma, Joe Pass, Kenny Burrell, and Eric Clapton.
OW-55
The Sony C-55P might just be the most underrated mic of all time. Allen Sides has said it’s one of the best microphones he has ever used, and at one point Ocean Way owned about 30 Sony C-55P mics! Especially wonderful on acoustic guitars, Sides has used the Sony C-55P on virtually every album he's recorded that has a stereo acoustic guitar. A cardioid small-diaphragm condenser, it’s unique in that the capsule swivels 90° inside the headbasket so it can be used as either side-address, end-address or any point in between. The OW-55 model emulates the sound of the C-55P in Sides’ prefered side-address mode, but also allows for other capsule orientations.
OW-K3A
The RCA KU-3A, sometimes referred to as a 10001, is an extremely rare cardioid ribbon microphone from the 1940s. The microphones were reportedly hand-built in Hollywood, California by RCA technician, Charles Gant, specifically for the motion picture industry. The OW-K3A emulation faithfully captures the original’s fixed-cardioid design and smooth, very controllable off-axis response.
OW-57U3
The now ubiquitous Shure SM57 was introduced in 1965 and utilized the relatively new Unidyne III capsule which had first been used in the Shure 545. A fixture on guitar amps and snare drums, their sound has slightly changed over the years, with some preferring the older US-made SM57s. The OW-57U3 emulation is based on a US-made version from the late ’60s.
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Customer Reviews
Ocean Way® Microphone Collection
F. MURILLO ROJO
Incredible emulation and useful plugin.
If you have an L22 ... you need it, word. Emulations sound stunning, specially U47 and C800G. I have also tried it in recordings made with my U87ai and improves it a lot when I select the C800G. Being able to use the blennding two mics system and the Isosphere addition ... just blw my mind.
N. Singappulige
Amazing collection of mics
The mics are really great and sound fantastic!
l. manosalvas
Really nice
Really nice emulations didn’t expect the accuracy to be that close obviously not like the original but damn close and cannot justify paying thousands for the originals
D. Bubien
OW-K53
Absolutely love this mic for acoustic guitars! Love the OW47 too. My favorite 47 in the sphere collection.
c. rosario
Definitely makes a difference
I decided to buy it, even though I don’t own the mic
I use it on stereo microphone tracked recordings, and it sounds pretty decent
Next step is to actually buy the microphoneS. El Hammami
Not really overlaping Sphere Mic Bundle
I thought it was overlaping as there were the same microphone list. Then I have tried it before purchasing it. In fact the emulation is not the same. The C800 is hotter with Ocean emulation than Sphere or Putnam ones. It fits my voice in a far better way. With some good Xmas discounts I fully recommand to try it for free and then get it at good price. That is a great and fair system of test provided by UAD that I always use.
A. Vasilyev
Ocean Way® Microphone Collection - fantastic
A set of classic sound fiction, who are not with us yet, join us and be happy with a large suitcase of microphones, with patristic fantastic noise reduction,
SUPER!!!!!G. Aucouturier
Excellent
Excellent, complete well Townsend lab sphere.
I like Clapton presets.
Another great uad !!!!!A. Pasco
Amazing
This is everything you’ll ever need for your mic setup.
S. Them
Great UAD plugin
Absolute a great mike simulations
V. Kristek
Great collection
Who (apart from collectors and large studios) could afford such a collection? In addition, they are unbreakable and maintenance-free. Great!
K. Sæther
A must-have!
Even though I haven't utilized all the options within this great plugin, I'd can say this is a must-have with the Sphere L22!
B. Arrowood
Excellent expansion for the Townsend Mic
This is the first additional mic locker plugin aside from the one that came with my Labs Sphere L22 that I have bought. These mics sound great, and I have a new favorite microphone emulation model to use when I record violin and fiddle parts with my UA Apollo x6. Sounds great.
S. Broderick
Nashville Mic Locker
I have the Putnam collection, the stock Townsend collection and also this. Fantastic mics. Every mic is unique and I will try to list out each and why I use it. The 47 is beautiful, I would say just well balanced not really extended highs but just right. The first C12 is super airy, very like a Manley Ref C. C12 number 2 is well balanced like the U47 but has just a tad more high end while also a little less extended lows. The M49 cuts through while retaining somehow warmth and clarity. The 269 is epic, very like the Putnam U67 just a little less airy. The C800g doesn’t really sound like a traditional C800 it’s more balanced but opens up at the same time. Excellent purchase
J. Gellis
Do these emulations sound like the real mic?
In a user group, someone posted the question, "do these emulations sound like the real mic they are modeled after?" I don't own any of these vintage mics to compare and quite frankly, every one of the vintage mics has variations in how they sound within the same model. So what is the definitive sound of any particular model? What I can say is that these models sound wonderful in their own right and my vocal recordings sound better than they ever have. Of all of the gear I have purchased, the L22, and library of mic models have made the most dramatic improvement to my vocal chain. Money well spent, much time saved, superior results.
J. Slavin
Townsend add ons
Like these even more than the standard Mikes and I love them
10 out of 10 for meR. MACMULLEN
uad perfection
thank you uad staff
finest offering ,gets better every dayM. Martel
That 47 though!
I recorded some vocals at a studio in LA through an endgame signal chain: vintage U47>1073>1176>LA2A. Unfortunately I didn’t have enough time to dial in my performance as much as I would have liked to. Have no fear. OW47 to the rescue. I recorded some pickups at home in Nashville through the OW47 emulation, and was laughing out loud at how close it sounds to my friend’s real U47, flipping back and forth between the 2 performances. Was it exactly the same? No 2 mics are exactly the same, so no. Close enough to fool the most discerning audio professional - or at least not be bothered by it? Absolutely. I love vintage gear, and great analog reproductions thereof. But I’m not sure how the mic makers are staying in business. The Townsend Sphere and mic emulations are doing it all for me. I also own and love the Putnam collection. But for the U47, I much prefer the Ocean Way.
C. Greim
It's a great step between the future and the past
Ich möchte nicht mehr auf mein Townsend und die Emulationen verzichten. Die Klarheit, die Wärme und die Möglichkeiten scheinen unerschöpflich. Und das ist erst der Anfang. Mal sehen was noch alles kommt, nun wo Townsend und Universal Audio förmlich verschmelzen. Ich habe den Kauf nicht bereut und ich bin überzeugt, dass es jedem anderen ähnlich ergehen wird.
B. Nicholas
Some great sounding mics
As the title says, some really great sounding mics in this collection. Assuming you have the Sphere mic then this will really set you up nicely. Of course, the Townsend Labs plugin has many of the same models but not the same mics. Whether this matters to you or not depends on your preferences, ears and wallet. I hear subtle as well as not so subtle differences between the same type of mic on the three plugins. That being said, this collection is worth having. You can choose just one, two or all three of the Sphere mic collection plugins and you will really enjoy the ride. Also, for those that cast shade upon this technology, it's just a tool. It works and it works really well. You can do things in post that are just amazing. Does it sound just like a vintage U47 or C12? Which specific ones? I've used a few and they all have personalities. This plugin coupled with the Townsend mic compared really favorably to my REDD mic through the same preamps. YMMV of course but I'm sold and my REDD lives comfortably in the studio and fears the road no more.