Universal Audio Microphones: Standard, Sphere and Bock Guide (2026)
Universal Audio microphones at Blackout Audio start at $179 CAD for the SD-3 and top out at $8,599 CAD for the handmade Bock 251 tube mic. The line is for home and project studios recording vocals, podcasts, guitar amps and drums. Most of it comes with UA's modeling software, so one mic can take on the sound of several classic studio mics after you record. For most buyers the place to start is the SC-1 at $699 CAD, a condenser that handles a vocal, an acoustic guitar and a loud amp.
UA splits the line into three families. The UA Standard series (SD-1, SD-3, SD-5, SD-7, SC-1 and SP-1) covers everyday vocal, podcast, amp and drum work for $699 CAD or less. Two Sphere modeling mics hold 20 or 38 classic mics in one body and let you change your choice after tracking. At the top sit three Bock condensers, designed by David Bock and built by hand at the UA Custom Shop in Santa Cruz, California.
Pick a UA Mic by Job
Vocals
Home studio singers should start with the SC-1 at $699 CAD. It is a large-diaphragm condenser with eight classic condenser models in its Hemisphere plug-in, and it can record a quiet vocal and then a loud guitar cab without a different mic.
A noisy or untreated room changes the pick. UA tuned the pickup pattern of the SD-1 ($419 CAD) dynamic to reject room noise such as fans and refrigerators, so a voice recorded in a bedroom stays clear.
Moving up, the Bock 187 ($1,799 CAD) is a handmade FET condenser whose Fat mode adds low-end weight to thin sources and higher voices. The two tube mics, the Bock 167 ($4,299 CAD) and the Bock 251 ($8,599 CAD), are the top of the line for lead vocals.
Podcasts and streaming
Podcasters should buy the SD-1. A built-in windscreen tames plosives, an internal shockmount cuts noise from the stand, and an articulation switch adds about 3 dB between 3 and 5 kHz for clearer speech. It needs no phantom power. Two hosts need two SD-1s and an interface with two mic inputs.
Guitar amps
Loud guitar cabinets are on the list for both the SD-3 ($179 CAD) and the SD-7 ($209 CAD). The SD-3 is the smaller and cheaper of the two. With its tighter hypercardioid pattern, the SD-7 can sit farther back from the speaker for more air and still keep good isolation.
For a condenser on the amp, the SC-1 takes the level of a loud cab, and its plug-in lets you move the virtual mic after tracking to soften a harsh amp. The Bock 187 has a -10 dB pad for guitar amps and drums.
Drums
Kick drum and bass cabinet go to the SD-5 ($279 CAD), a supercardioid that reaches down to 20 Hz. Its DN-SUB model recreates the studio trick of wiring a speaker driver in reverse as a sub-bass mic, so you get that weight from a single microphone.
Snare and toms suit the SD-3 3-Pack ($479 CAD), three SD-3s in one box. Overheads go to the SP-1 matched pair ($549 CAD).
Put together, an SD-5, the SD-3 3-Pack and an SP-1 pair are six mics for $1,307 CAD, covering kick, snare, two toms and stereo overheads. Recording all six at once takes an interface with six mic preamps, and the SP-1s need 48 V phantom power.
Room mics and stereo
Room sound on a budget means the SP-1 pair, mounted on its stereo T-bar for X/Y, ORTF or a spaced pair. The Sphere DLX ($2,149 CAD) records stereo from a single mic, which suits acoustic guitar, overheads and ensembles. For one large room mic, turn the Bock 167's pattern knob all the way to omni, or set the omni position on the Bock 251's pattern switch.
UA Standard Series: SD-1, SD-3, SD-5, SD-7, SC-1 and SP-1
Every Standard mic comes with the Hemisphere Mic Collection plug-in, which uses the same modeling technology as the Sphere mics. You register the mic in the UA Connect app, then load the plug-in in your DAW with any interface, or on an Apollo to record through a model in real time. Its filter, proximity and axis controls change the tone and the virtual mic position after you record.
SC-1 Condenser ($699 CAD)
Built as a side-address large-diaphragm condenser with a fixed cardioid pattern, the SC-1 is UA's studio all-rounder for vocals, acoustic guitar, strings and drums. Its Hemisphere plug-in has eight large-diaphragm condenser models. Low 12 dB self-noise keeps quiet takes clean, and the 145 dB maximum SPL covers a guitar cab. You need 48 V phantom power, and a carrying case comes in the box.
SD-1 Dynamic ($419 CAD)
Five dynamic and ribbon models come with the SD-1, and UA adds Apollo channel strip presets made for it. A low-cut switch sits beside the articulation boost on the bottom of the mic. The XLR exits at the rear and a 5/8" thread is built in, so it goes straight onto a stand or boom arm.
SP-1 Pencil Pair ($549 CAD)
Two matched small-diaphragm cardioid condensers make up the SP-1, for acoustic guitar, drum overheads, piano, percussion, horns and choirs. Each mic handles up to 142 dB SPL. You get a stereo T-bar, two stand mounts, foam windscreens and five small-diaphragm Hemisphere models.
SD-5 Kick Mic ($279 CAD)
Deep sources are the SD-5's job: kick drums, bass cabinets and anything with heavy low end. Its supercardioid pattern keeps bleed from the rest of the kit down. An integrated standmount with angle adjustment means it goes straight onto a stand and tilts toward the drum head or speaker.
SD-7 Instrument Mic ($209 CAD)
Toms, snare, guitar and bass cabinets, horns and percussion all suit the SD-7. Its hypercardioid pattern rejects the most sound at 135 degrees, which helps keep cymbals and hi-hat out of a tom mic. The Hemisphere set includes the RB-160, based on a 1960s ribbon mic, along with four dynamic models.
SD-3 Compact Dynamic ($179 CAD, or $479 CAD for three)
At 91 mm long, the SD-3 is the cheapest mic in the line and the easiest to fit between drums. It has an all-metal body and a cardioid pattern that helps keep hi-hat and cymbals out of a snare track. Buy the 3-Pack if you are miking a full set of toms or a whole backline.
Sphere LX and Sphere DLX Modeling Mics
Each Sphere mic has two diaphragms that feed two separate outputs on one 5-pin XLR, with a breakout cable to two standard XLRs in the box. Modeling uses both outputs, so each Sphere needs two mic preamp channels. On one preamp it still works as a regular condenser, without the modeling. With both channels connected, you can change the mic model, polar pattern, proximity and IsoSphere settings while tracking or later in the mix.
Sphere LX ($1,429 CAD)
Twenty classic ribbon, condenser and dynamic mics are modeled in the Sphere LX software, which runs as an AU, VST or AAX plug-in and in real time on Apollo. Pick it over the SC-1 when you want ribbons and dynamics in the same mic, or want to change the pattern after the take. It ships with a mic stand mount, a 10' dual-output cable and a carrying case.
Sphere DLX ($2,149 CAD)
With 38 mic models across the Sphere Mic Collection and Sphere Mic Collection 180, the Sphere DLX records in mono or stereo from one mic. Its 7 dBA self-noise is lower than the LX's 10 dBA, and switchable pads handle loud sources. A shockmount and a dual-output cable come in the box.
Bock 187, Bock 167 and Bock 251
David Bock designed all three, and each is built by hand at the UA Custom Shop in Santa Cruz, California. These mics do no modeling, and UA offers Apollo Channel Strip presets for each one through UA Connect.
Bock 187 FET Condenser ($1,799 CAD)
Starting from the classic U87, the Bock 187 adds a larger Cinemag output transformer and refined Class A FET circuitry for more low-frequency headroom on vocals and guitars. It is a fixed cardioid mic that runs on standard 48 V phantom power. Fat mode, a 120 Hz low cut and a -10 dB pad are on the body, and a shock mount and wood case are included.
Bock 167 Tube Condenser ($4,299 CAD)
David Bock's take on the classic U67, the Bock 167 uses a new old stock EF732 tube and a Lundahl transformer. It suits singers, acoustic instruments, drums and voiceover. Fat mode, a four-position high frequency switch and a pad sit on the mic. The pattern knob on its power supply sweeps continuously through omni, cardioid and figure-8, and the supply replaces phantom power.
Bock 251 Tube Condenser ($8,599 CAD)
UA's flagship, the Bock 251, follows the classic ELAM 251 with a German-made CK12-type capsule, a Cinemag transformer and a new old stock ECC85 tube. A switch on the body selects cardioid, omni or figure-8. It runs from its own power supply over the included six-pin Tuchel cable and ships in a vintage-style suitcase.
UA Mics by Budget
Under $300 CAD buys a drum or amp dynamic. Between $419 and $699 CAD you get the SD-1, the SD-3 3-Pack, the SP-1 pair or the SC-1, which together cover most home studio work. Sphere and the Bock 187 sit between $1,429 and $2,149 CAD, and the two tube Bocks start at $4,299 CAD.
| Mic | Type | Pattern | Price (CAD) |
|---|---|---|---|
| SD-3 | Dynamic | Cardioid | $179 |
| SD-7 | Dynamic | Hypercardioid | $209 |
| SD-5 | Dynamic | Supercardioid | $279 |
| SD-1 | Dynamic | Cardioid | $419 |
| SD-3 3-Pack | Dynamic, three mics | Cardioid | $479 |
| SP-1 | Small-diaphragm condenser pair | Cardioid | $549 |
| SC-1 | Large-diaphragm condenser | Cardioid | $699 |
| Sphere LX | Modeling condenser | Set in software | $1,429 |
| Bock 187 | FET condenser | Cardioid | $1,799 |
| Sphere DLX | Modeling condenser | Set in software, mono or stereo | $2,149 |
| Bock 167 | Tube condenser | Continuously variable | $4,299 |
| Bock 251 | Tube condenser | Cardioid, omni, figure-8 | $8,599 |
What to Check Before You Buy
- Phantom power. The SC-1, SP-1, both Sphere mics and the Bock 187 need 48 V phantom power. The SD dynamics need none, and the Bock 167 and 251 run from their own power supplies.
- Preamp count. Each Sphere mic uses two preamp channels for modeling. All the other mics use one channel each, so add them up before a session that records several at once.
- Registration. Hemisphere downloads through the UA Connect app after you register a Standard mic.
Shop Microphones and Interfaces
Shop Universal Audio
Frequently Asked Questions
Do UA Standard mics need a Universal Audio interface?
No. The Hemisphere plug-in runs natively in your DAW with any interface. On an Apollo it also runs in real time, so you can record through a mic model.
What is the difference between Hemisphere and Sphere?
Hemisphere is the plug-in that comes with the Standard mics. The SD and SP mics get five models each and the SC-1 gets eight. Sphere mics have two outputs, model 20 or 38 ribbon, condenser and dynamic mics, and let you change the polar pattern after recording.
Which Universal Audio mic is best for podcasting?
The SD-1 at $419 CAD. It rejects room noise, has a built-in windscreen and an articulation boost for speech, and needs no phantom power.
How many preamps does a Sphere mic need?
Two for modeling, one for each output. On a single preamp it works as a regular condenser without the modeling.
Do the Bock tube mics need phantom power?
No. The Bock 167 and Bock 251 each come with their own power supply. The Bock 187 is a FET mic and runs on 48 V phantom power.