Slate Digital VMS ML-2 User manual

VMS ML-2
Quick Start

This quick start guide will help you get acquainted with your ML-2 so you can start
making the best sounding music with it, fast.
Making Connections
1. Connect your ML-2 to the input of the Preamp with an XLR cable.
2.
3.
The ML-2 microphone requires phantom power (+48v) to operate. Apply phantom
power from your preamp.
NOTE: The ML-2 ALWAYS requires phantom power, even in DYNAMIC Mode.
4.
.
5.
Insert the Virtual Mix Rack plugin on a record enabled track in your DAW.
Select a Virtual microphone and start recording!
Add the Classic Instruments Module first, Note: You can place TRIMMER before
Classic Instruments to monitor recording level, see “Optimal Recording Levels”.
First: Go to http://SlateDigital.com/redeem to redeem your Classic Instrument incenses.
You will need a physical iLok 2nd or 3rd gen.
Download the Virtual Mix Rack (VMR) installer from http://SlateDigital.com/Installers
!!! IMPORTANT !!!
When applying phantom power, be sure to always mute your monitors and
headphones to prevent damage to your hearing or equipment!

Understanding Latency
If you are new to native recording, let’s talk about latency.
•To get the lowest latency, go to your hardware playback settings, and choose the
lowest buffer size your CPU can operate at without artifacts.
•If you have plugins that add latency, you will need to bypass them before recording
with VMS because those plugins will slow your round-trip latency times.
•At a sample rate of 96 kHz, with a Thunderbolt interface, you’ll be able to get down
to round-trip latency times of 0.5-2 ms.
Pro Tools HDX and TDM Systems
If you have a Pro Tools HDX or TDM system, here is a trick for how to record and
monitor live through your HD system.
•Put the DSP version of the EQ3 or EQ7 plugin on the first insert. Don’t do anything
with it, just park it there. It will not affect the sound if you don’t adjust its parameters.
•Insert the VMR in the next slot with the Classic Instruments module.
.
Now you can monitor live through the VMS!
Optimal Recording Levels
The Classic Instruments microphones are calibrated so that an input signal peaking
around -12 to -10dBFS will match the original mic tone most accurately.
You can use the VMR Trimmer module before the Classic Instruments module to monitor
the input level as you record or adjust it later in the mix.
For special effect, you can drive the Classic Instruments Module harder to get
more harmonics and saturation

Getting to Know the Mics
To learn more about the different Microphone models you can use with the ML-2, go to
https://slatedigital.com/ml-2-microphone/
The Proximity Slider
Classic Instruments features a Proximity Control slider, which allows you to emulate the
proximity effect and virtually mimic moving the mic closer to further from the source. Moving the
mic closer to a source will add more low end and give a tighter sound, which moving it further
away will open up the sound more.
DYNAMIC Mode
The ML-2 featured a DYNAMIC Mode switch. This acts like a pad by re-polarizing the
capsule of the ML-2 to allow a higher MAX SPL, allowing you to avoid distortion to keep
the modeling the most accurate, and avoid unpleasant clipping that is difficult to repair.
This however, does not change the physical nature of the mic. It is a small diaphragm
condenser mic; it should not be manually handled to avoid noise and a pop-filter should
still be used for voice recording. Also, engaging this mode does increase the noise floor,
so it should only be used for very loud sources like drum shells.