When Lauten Audio first debuted their mics at Sweetwater, we were absolutely astonished. We'd literally never heard anything like them before, and even the most seasoned recording engineers among us were impressed. As we dug into the company, its philosophy, and its approach to design, it became ever easier to understand why Lauten Audio microphones were making such an impact on the recording world.
It says a lot about these mic makers when you look at the duo founder Brian Loudenslager teamed up with: Grammy-nominated producer/engineer Mike Terry and theoretical physicist Charles Chen, PhD. These three are responsible for Lauten Audio's continued approach to mic design, which is to create world-class microphones that are in no way copies of classics or re-creations of vintage favorites. When you buy a Lauten Audio microphone, you're buying something truly unique.
How do they do it? It starts with a recipe of premium components. First, there are the major components. For their solid-state circuitry, Lauten Audio sources only the top US-manufactured FETs. Likewise, their tubes either come from authenticated new old stock or from the very best modern tube manufacturers. They also provision custom-wound output transformers and custom-spec'd capacitors — ensuring every component meets rigorous standards. Finally, every Lauten Audio microphone is finished and extensively tested in their facility in California's Silicon Valley.
Following in the footsteps of Lauten Audio's original Horizon, their Signature Series mics have steadily advanced Lauten's legacy. One Signature Series innovation that stands out the most is the multi-voicing technology found in such microphones as the Atlantis FC-387 and the Eden LT-386. This circuit provides three distinct frequency responses, allowing you to tame highs, enhance presence, or maintain maximum transparency to bring out the best in any source. It's an absolute gold mine for any engineer who works with a variety of vocalists. And if you think that's impressive, then check out the Oceanus LT-381, which uses a unique dual-path design that lets you switch between tube and FET circuitry.
Most mic makers actually procure their capsules from one of a few third-party sources, selecting from a shared stock of options. Lauten Audio, however, uses a one-of-a-kind 38mm diaphragm (the first in the industry) to provide their Atlantis FC-387, Oceanus LT-381, and Eden LT-386 with an extended range of harmonic character. Lauten Audio's original circuitry also manifests in their Series Black models in the form of special high- and low-cut functions. These unique signal paths make it easy to get exceptional sound right at the source.
While there's plenty of demand for vintage mics and classic-inspired models, Sweetwater engineers continue to find Lauten Audio's approach to original mic design both refreshing and welcome. In today's hyper-competitive recording world, finding that perfect sound to make your work stand out is one of the biggest technical challenges, and starting with mics like these can be a major leg up. That's why we're happy to recommend Lauten Audio mics.
