Lauten Audio Microphones

[voiceactor]

I know cost wise these do not rank in the high end arena, sound wise is another story. I hesitated when posting here because I know the kind of flack I am about to receive but I thought it important enough to share this that the flack doesn't really matter. I am also looking at this through a voice over application but you should easily be able to transfer what I have said to a singers application.

I have absolutely no affiliation with Lauten Audio other than I am a consumer. I was not paid nor asked to write this. It is simply that I found a good product I think you should all take a look at.


I’ve recently been on the hunt for a new microphone. The last one I had made for me hasn’t turned out to be the best choice I ever made. Once I started looking I was amazed at the amount of choices…there are so many new great microphones out there….where does one even begin the search? This clone, that clone……wow . My investigations lead me to this company; Lauten Audio. This is a company not many have heard of yet….but you will…trust me!


I first talked to Brian a couple months ago. I wanted to demo his microphones. I chose his new Oceanus, a tube microphone, and the Clarion, an FET microphone. Within a couple of days of talking with Brian, I had the Oceanus and the Clarion on my desk. YES the service was very fast..

On with goods Greg, what do these things sound like. The first thing you will notice about these mics is that they are BIG…..I do mean big. This is a good thing…they are built like tanks and I believe they could handle just about any abuse you could give them. I have to tell you I am blown away by the sound and versatility of these microphones. The Clarion, my favorite of the Lauten mics, has several settings. First it offers a -10 pad that lets you get up nice and close with out having all the proximity problems you have with other mics. The sound is clear and warm and very present. On the opposite side of the switch is a +10db boost…this thing will really allows the voice to pop….it has a presence unlike anything I have heard…it’s a very in your face sound but at the same time it’s not harsh or heavy. The normal or “0” position on the switch is also great…again a nice clear warm sound that can make any voice pleasing. It seems to lack the presence the other two settings do…but this is not a bad thing and I have found it also to be very useful. The Clarion also has a setting for Omni, Figure of 8 and cardioid.

The next microphone I tried was the Oceanus. It wasn’t designed with spoken word in mind. I just wanted to see if it would work for my voice. For voice, for me it just wasn’t a fit. I am not a singer but I have no doubt that if I could carry a tune in a bucket it would sound brilliant through the Oceanus. . It is extremely smooth and warm yet still has the ability to add a punch if needed and at the same time maintain that upper “airiness” sense as well. I really loved how smooth it is and I am told by people who sing that this microphone is one you must hear. With the right voice and the right preamp this could still work and be a great microphone for voice over.


The Horizon, the next one I tried, is a tube LDC microphone. Lauten Audio put their unique style and sound on a lollypop microphone and called it the Horizon.. Again another winner! Lauten has captured the very essence of the “tubey” sound and feel. However the Horizon is not a one trick pony, it is also has the ability to give you that classic clear warmth that seems to be so popular today and at the same time giving you it’s own unique sonic signature. This one also has a -10 and a -20 pad should you need it.

To tell you that I have been impressed with Lauten Audio and Brian Loudenslager would be somewhat of an understatement. This company is going to go a long way. They are developing a new classic sound…and that sound works….and works very well. Normally I wouldn’t mention this but it will help you understand the dedication Brian has to delivering exceptional customer service. I wrote to Brian the other day. His response (within the hour I might add) was that he was bed ridden with tonsillitis. Yet here he was taking care of his customers. It doesn’t get much better than that. Take a look at their site….demo their sound…you’ll like what you hear.

If your looking for that rich, lush sound of yesterday based on those clones of the past. These are not your microphones. If you want to stand out and differentiate yourself from the crowd Lauten Audio Microphones are the new classic sound. Visit the website, talk to Brian. Lauten Audio - High-End Professional Studio Microphones

[Kronos147]

I too am a fan of the Lauten mics. I have a pair of the Horizons and plan to get a pair of the Oceanuses as well.

The Horizons have been trapped in overhead duties since I got them. They sound really good in Glyn Johns config. I did some recording with all four of the Lauten models (for the sound samples on the site) and was very impressed.

[voiceactor]

I'm sure there are more fans coming. I think people just haven't heard them yet. I've talked to a couple of people who have heard the non warmed up version and didn't like it. These mics do have a warm up period.

[brmccoy]

FWIW, I have a Horizon from when they first hit the market. I have not been able to make it my flavor yet but everyone I have loaned it too absolutely refuses to return it including Grammy winning prominent engineers who would adamantly claim that they would never use such a "new breed" mic. I have heard repeatedly that it is absolutely killer on guitar amps and vox.

At AES in SF earlier this year, I had the opportunity to listen to an Oceanus and Clarion at a local studio. I must say that the dynamic range and clarity is absolutely astounding on the Oceanus and while I am not a fanatic FET fan, the Clarion sounded great too IMO.

[Sonic Nomad]

See this thread re the Oceanus

[voiceactor]

Regarding the Horizon. Make sure the phantom power is off. Also, I find that it really needs a good warm up to sound right and give it some time to break in... you will love it too.

That phantom power thing really changes the sound of the Horizon. You can also change the polarity for another completely different sound. Yes they are great mics indeed.

[Guitfiddle]

I 99% believe that was the mic used on the Yo-Yo Ma's performance at the inauguration(no comment on politics please, this is about lauten mics) yesterday. I should have taped it, of course that performance was excellent as usual. I can almost 99% say I'm sure I saw that icon on the mic and didn't recognize it. I thought neumann at first glance, then on a camera close-up it wasn't neumann. Since being introduced via television yesterday, I'm interested. It looked like they used Oceanus. Maybe someone could chime in if they had that good paying gig yesterday, or watched the performance. I'm always watching to see what mics the engineers use on TV at current musical events.

[Audio Hombre]

Originally Posted by Guitfiddle

I 99% believe that was the mic used on the Yo-Yo Ma's performance at the inauguration(no comment on politics please, this is about lauten mics) yesterday.

it was an old neumann "M" series with little doubt...

[Volodia]

Originally Posted by Guitfiddle

I 99% believe that was the mic used on the Yo-Yo Ma's performance at the inauguration(no comment on politics please, this is about lauten mics) yesterday. I should have taped it, of course that performance was excellent as usual. I can almost 99% say I'm sure I saw that icon on the mic and didn't recognize it. I thought neumann at first glance, then on a camera close-up it wasn't neumann. Since being introduced via television yesterday, I'm interested. It looked like they used Oceanus. Maybe someone could chime in if they had that good paying gig yesterday, or watched the performance. I'm always watching to see what mics the engineers use on TV at current musical events.

No it's definetely a Neumann, a TLM 170 I think (I'm sure actually) . You don't see the Neumann logo because you're looking at the back of the mic where the pattern selector is . The logo is on the other side . The suspension is typical of the TLM series ( 170,103) .

[JMc]

I was thinking Neumann 170 also...

[DeepSpace]

Originally Posted by Guitfiddle

I 99% believe that was the mic used on the Yo-Yo Ma's performance at the inauguration...

The mic used on Yo-Yo at the inauguration did not look like a Lauten Audio mic to me.

If it wasn't a Neumann, then it was a *very* faithful clone of one.

[bhp]

I believe the mics were Neumann TLM 170, Neumann km 100 series, and an Earthworks.
I couldn't see the piano.

I thought it sounded great, especially since it was cold and very windy.

Hats off to the sound guys on that one.

[johnnybregar]

The performance was not live - it was previously recorded.

Classical music for inauguration was taped, not live - USATODAY.com

So I don't think it matters what mic they used...

[audiomichael]

The Torches are really great. They aren't the brightest mic, but their frequency response is so smooth that they take EQ very naturally. Also, they are dead quiet with a really nice hot output, so then your compression doesn't bring up any noise... because there isn't any!

[Kronos147]

I have a pair of the Horizon's. The Horizon sound is thick and meaty. Great on drum overheads, outside kick and the like. They also are exceptional on guitar amps, paired with a '57 in close.

I have tried the Horizon's on vocals too. They do not have as much of that airy high end as the other mic we A/B'ed it against, the Manley Reference (original model with the 6072 tube). We ended up using the Hornizon's for the background, higher register vocals matched with the lead vocal on the Manley in that one session.

I also had all four Lauten mics in the studio (during the creation of the clips for the website, as previously stated). I really lust for a pair of the Oceanus. While it is transformerless, it also is dual tube. The final output is driven by the tubes (single tube?) to the best of my recollection/understanding. That makes it different than say the TLM-103 that relies on a monolithic opamp (IC) for its output. The Oceanus is what Scott Kinsey ended up buying after the Lauten sessions (actually, a pair) and he has been very happy with them. I plan on borrowing one for a vocal session pretty soon, so I may be able to add more to the thread.

Listening to the tracks (both at the session and the posted files on the Lauten site) I hear more clarity and detail with the Oceanus on the piano tracks. We were all amazed at the sound when Scott would finish his takes and ride up the high end of the piano. It was really crystal clear without being brittle.

[KEYBEEETSSS]

Oceanus lover here

[World Studios]

Hi! I am interrested to hear, sound clips if possible, how the Oceanus compares to the Manley. Cheers,

[Bryce]

For those interested in taking a listen to the Lauten mics, there's a bunch of audio examples available here.

dB