Slate Digital ML-2A: matched modeling mic pair for VMS

Slate Digital, a company that works on analogue modeling of both microphones and studio outboard gear, presented the ML-2A at NAMM 2026, a stereo pair of small-diaphragm modeling microphones for its Virtual Microphone System (VMS). The pair is matched and calibrated at the factory with an emphasis on neutral, accurate response, which the modeling software relies on.

Microphone specifications

Each ML-2A is a small-diaphragm condenser with a fixed cardioid pattern. The microphones have two switches:

• a -20 dB pad for loud sources;
• a low-cut filter at 80 Hz to remove rumble.

Maximum sound pressure level is 156 dB SPL. The microphones can also be used as ordinary condensers without any software. Slate Digital explains the factory calibration by the needs of modeling: the software works best when it starts from a neutral and accurate signal.

VMS software and stereo bar

With the VMS software, the ML-2A gives access to 27 microphone models and low-latency monitoring. Two different models can be chosen and combined, and the collection includes large-diaphragm microphones, so the pencil-style pair can take on the character of larger designs and cover more uses than a typical pencil microphone.

The set includes a stereo spacing bar that helps set distance and angle for common stereo techniques: spaced AB, ORTF and XY. According to Slate Digital, fixed distances and angles make the stereo image more consistent.

Slate Digital said the ML-2A would reach retailers soon after the show; no price was given in the announcement. At NAMM 2026 the company exhibited at booth 18303.