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Besides being a real eye-catcher, the cream-colored microphone gave me excellent results with voice and vocal recordings, but also on acoustic guitar and percussion instruments. Conclusionįor the price, the Universal Audio SD-1 is an excellent and well-rounded dynamic microphone. Through various combinations of UAD compressors, equalizers and preamps (from the plug-in bundles included with the interfaces), these presets help to shape the input signal to deliver convincing guitar, brass, bass, drum, vocal, string or piano recordings, or a balanced sound for voice-overs and other speech applications.

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UA’s engineers have created 33 free presets for the Apollo Channel Strip, which are custom tuned for the SD-1. If you’re lucky enough to own a UA Apollo interface, the manufacturer has prepared an extra little something for you. That said, you’ll ultimately need to test the SD-1 for yourself in your room and with your voice to find out if it’s the right choice for your application, which is true for any microphone – even the most expensive ones. I can barely hear a difference to the SM7B, which supposedly reaches up to 20 kHz. The UA SD-1 has a frequency range of 50 Hz to 16 kHz, which is plenty for speech applications, and it sounds very good. The level boost definitely helps to get the highest possible sound quality out of the microphone. Nevertheless, I’d recommend adding a phantom-powered in-line preamp for dynamic microphones, such as a Cloudlifter or the SE Electronics DM2 T.N.T, which is what I use.

Inevitably, this means raising the noise level, too, but it found it to be acceptable in combination with the Apollo. Like similar dynamic microphones of its kind, it requires a good amount of preamp gain before the level meter begins to move. I mounted the SD-1 onto my Rode PSA-1 desktop boom arm and connected it to an Apollo x8 audio interface by the same manufacturer. The SD-1 mounts easily to microphone stands and boom arms

Switches for low-cut filter and high-frequency boost next to the XLR connector It is covered by a black foam windscreen and pop filter, which fits snugly over the grille. The capsule is protected by a metal grille that feels sturdy enough to survive the occasional drop. Next to the XLR connector, the SD-1 has two DIP switches for a low-cut filter (200 Hz) and a high frequency boost (3-5 kHz).

This decision addresses an often criticized issue of the Shure mic, which can be hard to mount onto a broadcast-style boom arm without an extension, due to the placement of the connector. One difference between the SD-1 and the SM7B is that UA has placed the XLR connector directly on the back of the microphone, instead of the yoke. You can adjust the tension of the yoke using the two black nuts on the sides. The included thread adapter ensures that it accommodates both 5/8” and 3/8” threads. The threaded fitting on the bottom of the yoke allows you to attach the SD-1 to a microphone stand or boom arm. The shock mount yoke is easy to adjust, but holds the microphone firmly in position and doesn’t move by accident. Weighing in at just under 800 grams, the microphone’s metal housing feels pretty solid. Besides the main star of the show, the box includes a small letter with congratulations on your purchase and the specifications. The way the cardboard box reveals the shiny exterior of the microphone makes me think that UA may have taken a covert glance at the way Apple presents its products. The packaging is very nice and stylish and unboxing the SD-1 is a satisfying experience. Universal Audio SD-1: Dynamic microphone for podcasting, voice-overs and vocal recording Unboxing

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