VO-BB - 20 YEARS OLD!

[Gp]

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 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!

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 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 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 is a tube LDC. 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. www.LautenAudio.com

[Jowillie]

Would love to hear your voice on the Clarion. Let us know when and where we can.
_________________
Wild Willie Edwards
www.hometowntvtoday.com
http://vomictest.blogspot.com

[bobsouer]

Greg,

Thank you for the extensive review. They look wonderful. Like Willie, I'd love to hear a sample.
_________________
Be well,
Bob Souer (just think of lemons)
The second nicest guy in voiceover.
+1-724-613-2749
Source Connect, phone patch, pony express

[Craig]

Thanks for the tip Greg.

As a warning to the Vo-bb'ers, secure your fine china and warn your local seismic monitoring station before you open Greg's sample.

I hear you have one heck of a nice sound on your Lauten Greg!

Craig
_________________
Craig Park
www.parkvoiceovers.com

[Frank F]

It's a nice sound. I have heard GP using the Clarion and the mic really makes his two-tone voice pop. Solid, phat, smooth is the best way to describe the Lauten Audio Clarion.

Lauten Audio has created a unique sound which is going to set the standard for voice-over microphones in the future.

Toodles

F2
_________________
Be thankful for the bad things in life. They opened your eyes to the good things you weren't paying attention to before. email: thevoice@usa.com

[Lance Blair]

Thanks Greg. I was excited about Lauten when they first rolled out their models, but then I couldn't find any reviews which is usually a very bad sign...but I still was hoping for them because they look so well made. I was also encouraged because they seemed to have intentional designs for their particular mic's applications, instead of just trying to be cool.
_________________
Skype: globalvoiceover
and now, http://lanceblairvo.com the blog is there now too!

[Gp]

I'll see if I can find something to post and put up here. Probably tomorrow.

[Gp]

OK here it is. Hear Greg here
Let me know if you have any questions or anything.
Greg

[Bailey]

Wow!... Like night and day!

_________________
"Bailey"
a.k.a. Jim Sutton
Retired... Every day is Saturday, except Sunday.
VO-BB Member #00044 .gif" alt="W00T" border="0" />
AOVA Graduate 02/2004 ;
"Be a Voice, not an Echo."

[Craig]

Sounds great Greg!
_________________
Craig Park
www.parkvoiceovers.com

[bobsouer]

Greg,

Thank you. Quite interesting.
_________________
Be well,
Bob Souer (just think of lemons)
The second nicest guy in voiceover.
+1-724-613-2749
Source Connect, phone patch, pony express

[Gp]

Thank you Craig.

[ricevoice]

Wow, sounds great Greg... what was the old mic we hear at the beginning of that sample?
_________________
Chris Rice - Noisemaker
www.ricevoice.com

[Gp]

OK I guess I didn't make it clear enough that the first part of that was all in good fun. It's all done with the same mic. I just changed my voice some and then dropped out all sound below 250hz. Sorry if I wasn't very clear...I guess I just assumed you all knew my weird sense of humor, I know, I know I did that ass/u/me thing.

[Lance Blair]

I thought you were altering your voice intentionally, but I wasn't going to call you out on it.
_________________
Skype: globalvoiceover
and now, http://lanceblairvo.com the blog is there now too!