“A versatile and durable dynamic microphone suitable for a range of applications”: Universal Audio SD-1 review

Affordable dynamic microphone bringing professional sound from a top-tier brand

Universal Audio Standard SD-1
(Image: © Future / Richard Butcher)

MusicRadar Verdict

The Universal Audio SD-1 is a versatile, durable dynamic microphone offering natural sound for various applications from a trusted name in music tech, though it requires substantial preamp gain to truly shine.

Pros

  • +

    Natural sound.

  • +

    Versatile use.

  • +

    Affordable price.

Cons

  • -

    Requires high gain.

  • -

    Limited high-end.

  • -

    Bulky design.

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What is it?

The Universal Audio SD-1 is a dynamic microphone designed for versatility. This could mean recording vocals, podcasting, streaming, and music. Being a Universal Audio product, there are expectations to manage here. It says it aims to provide professional-grade sound in an accessible package, making it an attractive option for musicians, content creators, and broadcasters alike. Does it succeed?

At its core, the SD-1 features a cardioid polar pattern, which helps reject unwanted background noise, focusing on the sound source directly in front of it. This makes it particularly effective in untreated rooms where environmental noise could otherwise be an issue. It also includes two onboard EQ switches: a low-cut filter (rolling off frequencies below 200Hz) to eliminate rumble and a presence boost (targeting 3-5kHz) to enhance vocal clarity. These settings allow users to tailor the mic’s response without the need for additional post-processing.

Physically, the SD-1 is built like a tank, with a robust metal body and an integrated shock mount to reduce vibrations. It also comes with a built-in foam windscreen to minimise plosives, making it ideal for speech and close-mic vocal work. Despite being a dynamic microphone, it requires a significant amount of gain from an audio interface or preamp, similar to industry staples like the Shure SM7B, so it’s worth keeping this in mind before you click ‘buy’.

Overall, however, the SD-1 is an excellent choice for podcasters, vocalists, and musicians who need a versatile, high-quality microphone without breaking the bank. Whether you're tracking vocals, capturing guitar amps, or streaming live content, the SD-1 offers a well-rounded feature set tailored to modern recording needs.

Pricing

  • Full price: £229

At the time of writing, the SD-1, alongside it's compatriot, the SC-1 have been on the market for a few months and in that time, there has been a slight reduction in the price, compared to launch.

In the UK you can pick on up for about £211, which will be a saving of £88.

Universal Audio Standard SD-1

(Image credit: Future / Richard Butcher)

Performance

Universal Audio is a known quantity in the world of high-end audio gear. From legendary analogue hardware to industry-standard UAD plugins and interfaces, UA has built a reputation for premium sound quality, usually with a price tag to match. That’s why the SD-1 is such an intriguing product. It’s significantly more affordable than most of UA’s catalogue, but does it still live up to the brand’s reputation?

In our testing, the SD-1 proved a solid performer, punching above its price point in several key areas. The build quality is impressive; it feels professional, with a solid metal chassis and a design reminiscent of the Shure SM7B. It feels like UA wanted to create something that looks and feels premium despite its lower price, and it’d be hard to argue that it hasn’t achieved this.

On vocals, the SD-1 delivers a warm and natural tone with a slight midrange focus, making it well-suited for speech, podcasting, and singing. The built-in low-cut filter is useful for removing excessive low-end rumble, while the presence boost adds clarity, though it can make harsher voices sound a bit brittle. Unlike some budget dynamic mics, the SD-1 avoids sounding too muddy or dull, though it lacks the airy high-end of a condenser mic.

Instrument recording was another pleasant surprise. Used on a small Fender valve amp, the SD-1 captured a punchy, focused sound with good detail. As a dynamic amp, we’d have no hesitations putting it up against the front of a larger cab, but there are probably other mics – like the Shure SM57 – that are better suited to this kind of application. Good to see some versatility though. It also performed well on snare drums, providing a tight and controlled tone. In short, for recording instruments, while it may not be your first choice and its bulky size may preclude it from getting into nooks and crannies, it’s versatile enough to handle multiple recording scenarios.

Where the SD-1 truly shone was when it came to recording voiceovers and podcasts. For us, it’s up there with mics like the Shure SM7B for accurate voice-tracking, with superb high-quality recordings captured which require minimal tweaking in post-production. You might want to consider employing a shock mount for studio work, as it doesn’t come with one in the box, but otherwise, we’d happily recommend the SD-1 for such applications.

However, there are some trade-offs. The SD-1, like other broadcast-style dynamic mics, requires a lot of gain to get a strong signal. If your audio interface has lower-gain preamps, you may need a signal booster like a Cloudlifter or a high-quality external preamp. This is an important factor to consider if you're on a budget, as it could add to the overall cost. You’ll still capture decent results with a more basic interface, but to truly unlock the SD-1's potential we’d recommend pairing it with something that can truly give it the platform to shine.

So, is there a benefit to buying a "budget" product from a premium brand? In this case, yes. While the SD-1 isn't revolutionary, and it’s not short of competition, it offers a level of design, build, and sonic quality that’s hard to find at this price point. It doesn’t feel like a cheap knockoff with a fancy logo. UA could have tried to cash in on its reputation, but instead, the SD-1 feels like a well-thought-out microphone that just happens to be more accessible and easier on the wallet. For those who want a Universal Audio product without spending thousands, the SD-1 is a compelling entry point into its ecosystem.

Universal Audio Standard SD-1

(Image credit: Future / Richard Butcher)

Verdict

The Universal Audio SD-1 stands out as a versatile and durable dynamic microphone suitable for a range of applications. Its natural sound signature and practical features make it a valuable tool for both professionals and hobbyists. While it requires a preamp with ample gain and has a bulkier design, these considerations are outweighed by its performance and affordability. Whether you're recording vocals, instruments, or podcasts, the SD-1 is a worthy contender in its class.

Hands-on demos

Universal Audio

Universal Audio SD-1 Dynamic Microphone | Tips & Tricks - YouTube Universal Audio SD-1 Dynamic Microphone | Tips & Tricks - YouTube
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Alternatives

Shure SM7B: £379 at shure.com

What you’re getting with the Shure SM7B is a high-quality, simple-to-use dynamic microphone that is at home in a wide variety of situations. In the modern studio, where gear is swapped out with regularity, this is one mic you won’t be getting rid of in six months. 

Read the full Shure SM7B review

Rode Procaster
Rode Procaster: £178 at rode.com

For any application involving speech – be that podcasts, voiceovers or video – the Procaster delivers pleasing results that don’t require masses of post-production to polish.

Read the Rode Procaster review

Electro-Voice RE20
Electro-Voice RE20: £539 at products.electrovoice.com

Miking for broadcast can be a real pain, but the Electro-Voice RE20 has something called 'Variable-D' whereby even if your subject moves around, you still get a consistent recording.

Specifications

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Key features

Type: Dynamic microphone.

Polar Pattern: Cardioid.

Frequency Response: 50Hz – 16kHz.

Sensitivity: -58 dBv/Pa.

Impedance: 200 ohms.

Filters: 200Hz low-cut, presence boost (3–5kHz).

Connector: XLR (no phantom power required).

Weight: 735g (1.62 lbs).

Contact

Universal Audio

Categories

Chris Corfield is a journalist with over 12 years of experience writing for some of the music world's biggest brands including Orange Amplification, MusicRadar, Guitar World, Total Guitar and Dawsons Music. Chris loves getting nerdy about everything from guitar and bass gear, to synths, microphones, DJ gear and music production hardware.

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