[Hands-On Review] Is the Universal Audio Sphere DLX Worth Buying? An In-Depth Look at Vintage Microphone Sounds and Outstanding Flexibility!

“I want to recreate the sound of my dream vintage microphone in my own studio.”
“I don’t want to regret thinking, ‘I should have recorded that with a different microphone...’ after recording.”
These are concerns that anyone involved in DAW-based music production or recording has probably experienced at least once. The Universal Audio Sphere DLX, a modeling microphone from Universal Audio, offers a solution to all of them at once. We borrowed a demo unit and thoroughly tested its various features, including recording actual vocals and instruments and exploring the functions of its dedicated plug-in!

1. What Is the Universal Audio Sphere DLX?

The Sphere DLX is a microphone modeling system that combines a high-precision dual-capsule condenser microphone with a dedicated plug-in to faithfully recreate the sound of legendary microphones from around the world, including the Neumann U87 and U49, ribbon microphones such as the RCA 77DX, and various dynamic microphones.

It goes beyond simply making the sound similar. Its groundbreaking specifications overturn conventional recording practices by allowing you to change the polar pattern, axis (angle), proximity effect, and even the type of microphone being used after recording.

2. 5 Standout Features of the Sphere DLX That I Discovered Through Hands-On Use

Feature 1: The Excellent ‘IsoSphere’ Function That Tames Room Characteristics

One of the biggest challenges in home recording and home studios is dealing with the room’s acoustic characteristics (room resonance) and changes in sound caused by reflection filters.
The Sphere DLX features IsoSphere, a function that allows you to adjust settings to suit major reflection filters and recording environments. This helps correct unwanted reflections and muddiness specific to the environment, allowing you to capture clean, easy-to-work-with audio that sounds as though it was recorded in a dream studio.

Feature 2: Freely Change Polar Patterns and Microphone Angle (Axis) Even After Recording

With a conventional microphone, it’s impossible to change the polar pattern—such as cardioid, omnidirectional, or bidirectional—once you’ve recorded. With the Sphere DLX, however, you can freely select the polar pattern afterward in the plug-in. Furthermore, turning the AXIS (microphone axis angle) knob lets you reproduce tonal changes similar to those you’d get by positioning the microphone slightly off-axis.

Feature 3: The Luxury of ‘Recording First and Choosing Later’

What surprised me most was being able to switch between microphone models and compare them while keeping the same take. After recording a vocal performance, you can compare a modern, clear LD-87 Modern, a warm and present vintage tube microphone, the LD-49K, and the smooth-sounding ribbon microphone, the "RB-77DX Satin," with just one click.

Feature 4: Outstanding Cost Performance

The microphone models included with the Sphere DLX feature numerous vintage microphones and high-end models that would cost several million yen each if purchased as physical units. Considering the price of the Sphere DLX itself plus the plug-in, its cost performance is outstanding.

Feature 5: Great Expandability Thanks to Dual Capsules

The Sphere DLX features a dual-capsule design with stereo output, making stereo recording possible with just one microphone. It also supports Dual Mode, which lets you blend two microphone models to create your own original sound, as well as additional expansion plug-ins featuring Ocean Way Studios and Bill Putnam’s microphone collection.

3. Sound Quality Impressions: How Does It Compare with Actual Microphones and Clones?

Based on my experience using the Neumann U87, 87-style and 67-style clones from other brands, and reissue models of ribbon microphones, I can say that the Sphere DLX delivers an exceptionally high level of tonal richness and texture. Its resolution and signal-to-noise ratio as a standalone microphone are extremely high, so even when using the modeling plug-in, it convincingly reproduces the sense of space, fullness, and sheen characteristic of the original microphones.

4. Comparing the Interfaces of the Included Microphone Models

In the Sphere DLX plug-in, each selected microphone model brings up its own attractive graphics and dedicated parameters.

*Switch between the tabs below to interactively explore the interfaces and characteristics of each microphone model tested in this review.

LD-87 Modern LD-49K RB-77DX Satin

Condenser Mic

LD-87 Modern

Sound Character

Clear, high-resolution, versatile, modern

Recommended Applications

Vocals, acoustic guitar, narration

Vintage Tube Mic

LD-49K

Sound Character

Warm, full-bodied, rich, smooth

Recommended Applications

Vocals, jazz, orchestral instruments

Ribbon Mic

RB-77DX Satin

Sound Character

Silky, rich and sustained, with smooth high frequencies

Recommended Applications

Brass instruments, guitar amps, radio voice

5. Conclusion: Who Is It Recommended For?

• Those who want to record professional-quality vocals and instruments in a home studio or home recording environment
• Those who want to switch between various microphones to suit different songs and genres
• Engineers and producers who want to flexibly adjust tonal characteristics and polar patterns during the mixing stage after recording
• Those who want to efficiently correct room acoustics, including when using a reflection filter

The Universal Audio Sphere DLX goes beyond being merely a convenient modeling microphone. It’s a microphone that makes your entire workflow more comfortable and creative. If you’re unsure which microphone to choose, why not consider adding the Sphere DLX to your setup?