Greg Phelps Reviews Lauten Audio Microphones

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. I started to look. Talk about choices.  There are so many new great microphones out there, where does one even begin the search?

My investigations lead me to this company; Lauten Audio. This is a company not many have heard of yet, but you will… trust me!

Now before I go any further I should mention that I have no affiliation with Lauten Audio. No one is paying me to write this. I am doing it simply to share my experience. There is an old saying I remember…goes something like this. “A job well done, though seldom complimented is never criticized.” This is one of those seldom occasions.

Some background about Lauten Audio and Brian A Loudenslager. Brian at one time worked for IBM and did a little work in the video gaming industry amongst other jobs. He also represented an Original Design Manufacturer (ODM) and Contract Manufacturer (CM) of microphones, where he worked with some of the biggest microphone brands in the world.

Brian, along with Dr. Charles Chen, Chief Engineer, and Michael Terry, Sound Designer set out on a mission to be different. They succeeded. It seems like around every corner some one is making a new clone of this or that old school microphone. Lauten Audio decided to take an approach of their own and have created their own unique sound.

I first talked to Brian a couple months ago. I wanted to demo his microphones. I chose his new Oceana, a tube mic, and the Clarion, an FET mic. Within a couple of days of talking with Brian, I had the Oceana 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, and 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 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 allow 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. For me this is more of a singers mic than a voice work microphone. Although with the right voice and the right preamp this could be a great microphone for voice over. 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 would highly recommend it for singers to try. I really loved how smooth it is and I am told by people who sing that this microphone is one you have to hear.

The next microphone in the line is the Horizon. This is the tube microphone in the Lauten Audio line up. Again another winner! Lauten Audio has captured the 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 and 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. www.LautenAudio.com

Source: Greg Phelps