Lauten Audio LA-120 microphone(s) reviewed by MusicTech.
Click here to read the full review
American manufacturer Lauten Audio is well known for the quality of their microphones. Their premium Signature Series mics are used by top producers and engineers in professional studios around the world, and have been used on countless hit records since the company’s inception in 2006.
Whilst many manufacturers’ seem to be focused on imitating microphones of the past, Lauten are more interested in creating the classics of the future, and their unique sound is sure to bring something new to every engineer’s mic collection.
“we were impressed with the smooth response through the mid-range and
high-end, which gave the guitar a professional sheen.”
Of course, this level of quality comes at a price, and the Signature Series may well be outside the budget of some musicians and engineers. With this in mind, Lauten developed a new range of microphones called the ‘Series Black’, to provide recording engineers with a more affordable entry to the Lauten sound.
The range consists of three new microphones – two large diaphragm condensers called the LA-220 and LA-320, along with the LA-120 stereo pair, which MusicTech Magazine recently took for a spin. Sold in matched pairs, the LA-120s are a set of small-diaphragm condensers that are both neutral and accurate, and excel on a wide range of instruments.
Having spent some time testing the LA-120s, reviewer Mike Hillier says “the Lauten Audio Series Black range delivers pro results at affordable prices and, while they may be aimed at smaller setups, the LA-120s could easily find themselves being used in much larger studios because of their incredible versatility.”
“We got fantastic results pairing the LA-120s recorded through our CAPI VP-28s, with a touch of compression and high-end boost from the Tegeler Crème.”
Read the MusicTech review of the Lauten Audio LA-120 here
Innovation Not Imitation – Lauten Audio Series Black Microphones
The Lauten LA-120 is a versatile FET studio condenser microphone, designed to produce detailed and accurate recordings of a wide range of sources. Sold in matched pairs, the LA-120s are ideal for recording in stereo, employing techniques such as X/Y and ORTF, or experimenting with Mid/Side recording. Their neutral sound is ideal for capturing acoustic sources, and their small size also makes them perfect for close-miking.
“the Lauten Audio Series Black range
delivers pro results at affordable prices”
MusicTech Magazine
Like their large-diaphragm siblings from the Lauten Audio Series Black range, the LA-120s include switchable on-board high and low-cut filters, for reducing overly bright sources or cutting out any low-end rumble. Each set of LA-120s ship with screwable polar pattern capsules (cardioid and omni), plus 2 x foam wind screens, 2 x mic clips, and a stylish wooden transport case for safe storage. A set of -10 dB pad adapters are also available (sold separately).
Alongside Lauten’s premium Signature Series, all three Series Black mics were used by mix engineer Darrell Thorp during the recording of last year’s number one album from the Foo Fighters “Concrete and Gold”.
If you’d like to know more about any of the microphones produced by Lauten Audio, give us a call on 01727 821 870 to speak to one of our team or to arrange a demo.
You can also contact us here.