The Bill Putnam Mic Collection
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Get the rich sound of hand‑picked vintage mics.
The Bill Putnam Mic Collection plug‑in for the UA Sphere modeling microphone system gives you the glorious tones of the legendary Universal Audio founder's personal mic locker — the same mics he used to record Frank Sinatra, Nat King Cole, Ray Charles, Elvis Presley, and many more.
Get the classic microphone tones used on legendary records by Ray Charles, Elvis Presley, and more
Record through Bill Putnam Sr.'s hand-picked mics, including vintage models from Neumann,® RCA,® and AKG,® in realtime with Apollo*
Audition classic mics before, during, and after recording with any interface, in any DAW
Change mic type or polar pattern, and reduce room sound, even after recording
Want to learn more about the UA Sphere modeling microphone system?
Included Mic Models
BP-251E (Telefunken Ela M 251E)
BP-251A (Telefunken Ela M 251)
BP-47M (Neumann U47)
BP-67 (Neumann U67)
BP-12a (AKG C12A)
BP-37A (Sony C37A)
BP-405 (Sennheiser 405)
BP-44BX (RCA 44)
BP-545 (Shure 545)Take A Listen
Get the Rich Sound of Vintage Mics
The Bill Putnam Microphone Collection gives you the multi-dimensional sounds of Bill Putnam's favorite microphones on your vocals, guitars, and drums and more — including the jaw-dropping tones of his prized Neumann U47, RCA 44, and Sennheiser 405.
Find your Perfect Mic in Realtime with Apollo
Audition classic mics before, during, and after recording with any interface, in any DAW. And when paired with an Apollo interface, you can do this with near‑zero latency.
Create Pro Sounds Before and After Tracking
With the Bill Putnam Microphone Collection plug-in, you can dramatically sculpt your tones by changing the proximity effect and polar pattern before and after recording.
Reduce Room Sound for Better Recordings
Easily tame room coloration for cleaner, more professional recordings using IsoSphere and its expert presets tailored for everything from your bedroom studio to popular isolation filters from sE Reflexion Filters, Aston Halo, Kaotica Eyeball,* and more.
*All trademarks are property of their respective owners and used only to represent the microphones and sound treatment modeled as part of the Bill Putnam Microphone Collection plug‑in.Customer Reviews
E. Bureau
November 23, 2023
Amazing addition
If you own a Sphere mic this is a no-brainer. Just save yourself some time and buy this as well as the Ocean Way Mic collection. Both really elevate the already high quality of the Sphere,...
Read MoreN. Kotsakiachidis
October 2, 2023
Amazing
I tried it at a friends studio, it's gonna be my next buy!
Read MoreD. Pal
July 16, 2023
Amazing Collection
the selection of high-quality microphones is great, in most cases i use the BM47M , the sound is amazing for me. The many setting options are particularly good, it saves me a lot of time in...
Read MoreT. Ozyigit
June 20, 2023
Quality at its finest!
Variety of the finest mic collection. You only choose which one works for your project.
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Key Features
Included Mic Models
BP-251E
The BP-251E model is based on a classic Austrian made microphone built for export to the US which has a 6072 tube and an original fully brass capsule.
The 251 is one of the rarest and most highly regarded microphones of all time. It is the go to vocal mic for many A-list artists, including Beyoncé.
BP-251A
The BP-251A model is based on a classic Austrian made microphone which has an AC701k tube and an original fully brass capsule.
BP-47M
Created in 1947, the U 47 has stood the test of time as the ultimate studio mic. The BP-47M model is based on one of Bill Putnam's 47s, with an M7 capsule and features a slightly warmer sound.
BP-67
The 67 is a unique and wonderful mic that tends toward warm, yet without sounding dull. It really shines on distorted guitar amps where it can reduce harshness while maintaining detail.
The BP-67 model is based on a mid-1960s version with an EF86 tube. The particular 67 modeled is slightly warmer sounding than other 67s.
The high-pass filter and pad switch settings are fully modeled. In many older microphones the pad switch, in addition to lowering gain, can change the frequency response and overall sound considerably. Filter position 1 models the high-pass switch. Position 2 models the pad switch. Position 3 models the case when both high-pass and pad are enabled.
BP-12a
The BP-12a model is based on an early '60s C12A microphone, which has been put to good use recording vocals for Geddy Lee, David Bowie, and many others.
Under the hood the C12A is much like the legendary C12 but with a 7586 nuvistor tube. It still uses the same CK12 capsule which is a big part of the sound. On the outside, the body style changed from the classic C12 cylinder to a variant of the 414. Audibly, the end result of these changes is a little less sparkle and a more warmth than its predecessor.
BP-37A
The C-37A was released in 1955 and uses a 6AU6 tube. It's known for a darker sound which can be good for taming sibilance and harsh high-end. The mic has been used by countless artists, including Frank Sinatra. It's also often a good choice for snare or tom miking.
The 37 supports non-directional (omni) and uni-directional (cardioid) patterns which are both included in the BP-37A model. On the original, the pattern is adjusted by mechanically moving vents on the back of the capsule using a slot on the back of the mic, which is unusual.
The mic has a 4-position high-pass filter which is mapped to the plug-in's Filter knob. The M (Music) position is essentially flat, while the the M1 (Music 1), V1 (Voice 1), and V2 (Voice 2) settings provide progressively more bass attenuation.
BP-405
Some might argue the 405 is a highly underrated microphone. It has been used on countless hit records, including as the overhead drum mics on The Beach Boys' "Good Vibrations." It was one of the first solid state microphones and is also unique in that it uses radio-frequency technology to interface with the capsule.
With the BP-405 model, when the pattern control is set to omni the model is based on the omnidirectional 105 microphone, which is in the same product family as the 405. When set to cardioid, the model is based on the 405 which has a native cardioid pattern.
BP-44BX
The RCA 44 is visually and audibly one of the most iconic microphones of all time. In the 1930s and 40s it became a staple of broadcast and studio recording. Radio Corporation of America (RCA) developed the 44, in part, because they needed microphones for their own broadcast operations. Countless legendary artists have recorded with the 44, including Frank Sinatra, Bing Crosby, and Elvis Presley. Bill Putnam Sr. often used the 44 to record pianos.
The BP-44BX model is based on a 44BX mic which has a slightly higher output level than previous versions. The original 44 has a fixed figure-8 polar pattern which results in a very warm sound due to the exaggerated proximity effect. To obtain the most accurate modeling, set pattern control to figure-8.
BP-545
The 545 is a predecessor to the SM57, which was the first mic to use the Unidyne III capsule. The 545 is one of the first handheld end-address dynamic microphones and has a more uniform polar pattern than its predecessors.
The 545 was used extensively on Pet Sounds, including Brian Wilson's lead vocal, and countless other recordings of that era. Also, the 545 (and its 565 variant) were used extensively to record performances at Woodstock.
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Customer Reviews
Bill Putnam Mic Collection
Š. Kominko
Skvelé
Vynikajúci zvuk mikrofónov. Odporúčam.
E. Bureau
Amazing addition
If you own a Sphere mic this is a no-brainer. Just save yourself some time and buy this as well as the Ocean Way Mic collection. Both really elevate the already high quality of the Sphere, by ading some incredible sounding mics. Even better sounding than the stock Sphere mic collection. Think of it not just as more mics, but essentially new better mics.
If you (like me) have a Sphere LX, purchasing one of these packs also gives you access to the full library of mic from the DLX which is awesome!
If I was to describe the difference between the Putnam and the Ocean Way Microphone collections, I’d say that the Putnam mics are more warm, mellow and characterful (a very good way) while the Ocean Way Mics are more open, airy and imparts less coloration. Especially the SDC mics are amazing!
E. LG
nice
251！！！
N. Kotsakiachidis
Amazing
I tried it at a friends studio, it's gonna be my next buy!
D. Pal
Amazing Collection
the selection of high-quality microphones is great, in most cases i use the BM47M , the sound is amazing for me. The many setting options are particularly good, it saves me a lot of time in the later processing with an EQ etc.
S. Bertolotti
USELESS!
It is supposedly sold with an AAX DSP version. Too bad this version doesn't actually exist. I bought it and never used it. It’s useless for Pro Tools HDX users.
T. Ozyigit
Quality at its finest!
Variety of the finest mic collection. You only choose which one works for your project.
N. Singappulige
Great plugin!
Amazing emulations of some amazing microphones
C. Kim
A bit of magic in the air!
The Mic sets are really amazing!
R. Borkar
Fantastic collection
I'm really enjoying this pack. Pick it up if you are able.
D. Bubien
BP-44
Love the classic fat full sound from this mic. Worth it alone!
A. Vasilyev
The Bill Putnam Mic Collection - fantastic
A set of classic sound fiction, who are not with us yet, join us and be happy with a large suitcase of microphones, with patristic fantastic noise reduction,
SUPER!!!!!A. Pasco
What a difference
This definitely increased the ability to record amazing vocals. I'm really excited to try other mics for my project.
p. Skrade
Sounds like a beetle farting.
Not that I actually can speak to this comparison from experience, but, sounds like a beetle farting. Ya know?
S. Broderick
Beautiful
Really nice collection. All of the microphones are good. The 251e, U67 and U47 are particularly good in my opinion. They do sound different from the stock Townsend mics but without a doubt well worth the price. All of the mics have different flavours, the 251e really full yet cuts through the mix. The U47 is really smooth and airy and the U67 just sounds perfect and open. Five stars from me.
M. GEORGES
Nice
It is a nice to have Collection if you have the Sphere Microphone, but the diference is not far different from the standart Sphere Mic Collection , i think, i will try the Ocean Way Series also to compare.
M. Martel
World class mic locker at home
The best mic I’ve ever recorded on is a specific ELAM 251 at Blackbird Studios. Knowing I could never justify buying a real 251, especially a vintage one (and they do all sound different), I looked into the Putnam collection to get me close enough. The 251 E gets me pretty close. But I discovered that mixing in about 30% of the C12A in dual mode gives me the extra sparkle and compression that one at Blackbird has. The Sony mic is also unbelievable. For me, the Putnam U47 doesn’t beat the OW47 though. Owning these two mic collections makes me feel like I own a studio like Blackbird. Or at least, close enough for my ears!
b. stock
Closest to real C37a's.
I'm still blown away by this mic. I recently purchased a recording studio, and 2 vintage c37a's were included. I did a shootout with the real c37a's for what has been their main job here: Drum overheads.
I positioned the Townsend in stereo 180 mode right with the 2 Sonys, fired up the stock Townsend models, and they...Fell flat on their face. TOO dark, the magic was missing. I was a bit disappointed. But then... I loaded Bill's models, and VOILE'...Dead on! I was hard pressed to tell the difference.
The C12 model sounds BETTER than the Avantone C12 here, to my ears. I will be testing the 47 against the Pearlman 47 soon.
Bottom line...If I get 3 Townsends I won't need much more to run this studio than dedicated close-mics for drums. They are amazing and I'm still discovering uses for this swiss-army MACHINE.
K. Kofron
Great Collection
I am very happy with the mike emulations in the collection. "Dylan 67" is my new go to for vocals.
J. INOUE
Very usefull
for various voices.
