Engineer Darrell Thorp Chooses Loads of Lauten for Foo Fighters Concrete & Gold Album

Darrell Thorp in his private studio with his Series Black Microphones. Photo Credit: Derek McCoy

Seven-time Grammy winning engineer and mixer, Darrell Thorp, used Lauten Audio mics, including its flagship tube mic, Eden, on new Foo Fighters album “Concrete and Gold”

San Jose, CA — Sept 19, 2017 — Engineer Darrell Thorp recently recorded the Foo Fighters new album at EastWest Studios in Los Angeles and chose to use loads of Lauten Audio microphones, including the Atlantis, Eden, Clarion, and the new Series Black LA-120, LA-220, and LA-320. The new Foo Fighters album “Concrete and Gold” (Roswell Records/RCA Records) was released on September 15, its first single, “Run,” hit the top 10 on the Rock Airplay Billboard charts in June. “We had a massive setup for recording the band,” says Thorp, “part of the challenge was we had 4 drum kits set up at once, a bass station, vocals, keys with 2 keyboards and pianos, and over 20 guitar amps, some in the live room and some in Iso-booths — I was using a lot of Lauten Audio mics.”

Discussing how and where some of the different mics were used, he explains, “For a sonic clarity difference I was having all the background vocals recorded on the Lauten Audio Eden mic, it’s a bit of a sweeter sounding mic, and I was using the ‘Forward’ switch so they would always sound breathy, and open and airy, around the lead vocal.” 

“On the song ‘Happy Ever After’ which is the quietest, most acoustic track on the record, Dave Grohl was playing this Harmony solid body acoustic guitar, which is super quiet, but it has a ‘sound’ — so I grabbed a Lauten Audio Atlantis mic and switched on the +10 dB gain switch — which is "expletive" genius!” exclaims Thorp. “I was barely rocking my mic pre, so I had plenty of level to Pro Tools and I was able to get a really good guitar sound. I was also using the Atlantis and LA-320 on guitar amps a lot, sometimes the LA-320 was on room guitar amps as well at about 15 to 20 feet from where the amps would sit in Studio One at EastWest — the room is huge and sounds amazing.”

The Series Black LA-220 mics were used for some of the main tom mics says Thorp, “They were amazing, they worked so well. I used the LA-220s on the Gretsch ‘George Lake’ kit with a 13-inch rack tom and a 16-inch floor tom.” 

  

Thorp concludes, “I really do stand behind the Lauten Audio mics, I use the products a lot! I’m not just a face on an ad and a face on the website. We just did a Foo Fighters BBC Live session and I took an Eden for a mono overhead on the drums, which sounded great. I use the mics all the time when recording!”

Darrell Thorp is a seven-time Grammy® Award winning producer, mixer, and engineer (Foo Fighters, Radiohead, Switchfoot, Molotov, Beck), with over 20 years experience and many multi-platinum records on his discography. Thorp moved to Los Angles in 1997 after a 4-year service in the U.S. Navy and started interning at smaller studios, and eventually worked his way up to an Assistant Engineer at some of L.A.’s prestigious studios such as Track Record, Conway, and finally Ocean Way Recording. He recently had the pleasure of recording and mixing the new Foo Fighters album "Concrete and Gold," and also engineering the new Beck record "Colors". 

About Lauten Audio 

Lauten Audio microphones continue to carve out a unique niche for recordists seeking microphones with an original sound. In addition to the Series Black, their product line includes their flagship “Eden” LT-386, the award-winning “Oceanus” LT-381 transformer-less tube condenser microphone, and the FC-387 “Atlantis” solid-state Multi-voicing™ large diaphragm condenser microphone. Lauten Audio microphones have received rave reviews from both experienced recording engineers and leading Pro Audio magazines around the world. Lauten Audio is located in San Jose California, for more information visit http://www.lautenaudio.com or call 1-877-721-7018.

Lauten Audio

www.lautenaudio.com

Lauten Audio Press contact:

Paul J. de Benedictis

pauljdb@gmail.com (650)-303-2565

All trademarks are the property of their respective holders.

James Gadson Adds Lauten Audio 'Series Black' to his Studio after Lauten Founder Flubs Famous Introduction

Famed Drummer/Producer/Songwriter James Gadson & Lauten Audio’s Brian Loudenslager discuss discovery and acquisition of Lauten Audio’s ‘Series Black’ microphone line.

San Jose, CA — April 10, 2017 — Famed drummer — and producer and singer and songwriter — James Gadson, “one of the most recorded drummers in R&B history” per Modern Drummer magazine, and #32 on Rolling Stone magazine’s list of “Greatest Drummers” of all-time, recently acquired the entire Lauten Audio ‘Series Black’ line of microphones including the LA-320 large diaphragm vacuum tube condenser, the LA-220 FET condenser, and a pair of LA-120 small diaphragm FET condensers. One could literally fill an entire page listing credits for Gadson, but to name a small fraction of his credits, he has recorded and/or performed with Bill Withers, Marvin Gaye, The Jackson Five, Diana Ross, Gloria Gaynor, James Brown, Ray Charles, George Duke, Aretha Franklin, Herbie Hancock, and more recently for pop superstar Justin Timberlake as well as Beck.

"I am very excited about the Series Black microphones,” says Gadson. “They are not that expensive, but they are so great. The tracks that I have recorded came out so beautiful that I was elated! They are great microphones."

“Gadson’s comments on the ‘Series Black’ microphone line are spot-on with what I’ve heard from countless owners,” says Brian Loudenslager, Founder of Lauten Audio. “I hope it’s reassuring to current and future owners of our Series Black mics that a legend in the business is highly satisfied regardless of their price-point.”

It was late Friday evening on December 30th and Loudenslager had just finished dinner, enjoying the holidays, having stepped away from the daily routine of running his company, Lauten Audio. “I have
a distinct memory of the conversation as I accidently answered my cell, which I rarely do if I don’t recognize the number. Upon answering I didn’t catch the person’s name, but the caller was asking about the Series Black microphones and that someone had recommended them to him. Not in the working frame of mind I informed him that we don’t do any direct sales and recommended a few dealers in the L.A. area he should go to. It wasn’t until January 3rd while catching up on email that I saw and was reminded of an email from engineer Darrell Thorp informing me he had spoken to the one and only James Gadson and was sending him my way. I texted Darrell and told him “Kinda flubbed it with your buddy James Gadson…” After realizing my mistake I contacted Gadson and he informed me that he had gone to a local dealer and ordered the mics. As a former drummer myself, and knowing the plethora of records Gadson recorded on, it was one of those moments of total honor,” concludes Loudenslager.

“You simply can’t get a greater validation of a product line than having someone like James Gadson not only wanting to try them, but taking it upon himself to go to a local dealer and order them,” quips Loudenslager. “Though the younger generation today may not know the name James Gadson, I can guarantee every single producer, engineer or musician has heard Gadson on drums. Many of the beats and rhythms we hear today in modern hip-hop, R&B, and pop are the result of his writing and his original beats, sampled for other modern music mixes. Just check out a few classic selections like “Dancing Machine” by The Jackson Five, “I Will Survive” by Gloria Gaynor, “Let’s Get It On” by Marvin Gaye, and more recently Beck’s “Morning Phase,” Gadson has this magical and signature touch that comes through.”

James Gadson said,  "I called my friend and engineer Darryl Thorp, who's a seven-time Grammy winner that I've worked with on a lot of different projects, and asked him about what he said in a magazine interview I had read where he mentioned the Lauten Audio Series Black microphones, and Darryl said, 'These are the real deal.’”

Gadson continues, “So I bought the LA-120 pencil mics to use as overheads on my drums. The mics are so true! The playback sounded just like my cymbals, I had never heard of pencil mics that sounded this good. When I record cymbal crashes now they sound just like I want them to sound. They sound magnificent, they sound so natural. I use the mics flat, I didn't have to put any EQ on them. Wow, I'm happy! And the mics look great, like a model stepping out of a magazine! (laughs) and they come in a beautiful box, they are very stylish, classy looking mics."

“After that I got the LA-220 condenser mic and used it as a vocal mic, and the vocal came out just wonderful! It's so warm. The track sounded just like I was singing it. The 220s are also great on the Toms," added Gadson. "Then I got the LA-320 tube mic, and that sounded great as a room mic. I plan to try it on vocals too."

About Lauten Audio 

Lauten Audio microphones continue to carve out a unique niche for recordists seeking microphones with an original sound. In addition to the Series Black, their product line includes their flagship “Eden” LT-386, the award-winning “Oceanus” LT-381 transformer-less tube condenser microphone, and the FC-387 “Atlantis” solid-state Multi-voicing™ large diaphragm condenser microphone. Lauten Audio microphones have received rave reviews from both experienced recording engineers and leading Pro Audio magazines around the world. Lauten Audio is located in San Jose California, for more information visit http://www.lautenaudio.com or call 1-877-721-7018.

Lauten Audio
www.lautenaudio.com


Lauten Audio Press contact:
Paul J. de Benedictis
pauljdb@gmail.com (650)-303-2565

Lauten Audio Expands 'Series Black' Line with Two New Condenser Microphones

Lauten adds LA-220 Solid-state vocal condenser and LA-120 small diaphragm instrument pair to the “Series Black” microphone line aimed at budding recordists

San Jose, CA – August 2nd, 2016 – Today, Lauten Audio announced two additions to its new line of microphones aimed at budding recordists, dubbed “Series Black.” The LA-220 ($249 est. street), is a professional, solid-state, large diaphragm true-condenser studio vocal microphone, while the LA-120 ($349 est. street), is a pair of professional, solid-state, small diaphragm FET instrument condensers. Inspired by classic designs, both new microphones give users access to great sounding, yet affordable, professional quality products. The 2 new Series Black microphone models will ship starting in August and Internationally in October.

At its core the LA-220 features a U.S. made ultra-low-noise JFET amplifier, a 1-inch pressure gradient, large diaphragm, and a true-condenser capsule with cardioid polar pattern. The new mic features independent 120 Hz low-cut and 12 kHz high-cut filters, a transformer balanced output, and includes a spider-style shock mount.

The LA-120 mic package comes as a pair, and features interchangeable 17mm pressure gradient condenser cardioid and omni-directional capsules, U.S. made ultra-low-noise JFET amplifiers, 50 and 150Hz low-cut filters, 10 and 15kHz high-cut filters, and a transformer balanced output. The dual mic package ships with a wooden box and hard mounts.

Both microphones are designed to give budding recordists an affordable entry into the world of professional sound recording. “We are giving developing recordists two excellent new microphone options that complement each other, as well as the LA-320 vacuum tube condenser mic that is already available, also in the Series Black line,” says Brian Loudenslager, Founder of Lauten Audio. He continues, “Our unique high and low cut filters offered on these mics have already garnered rave reviews from users and professional reviewers. These features take into consideration common problems in home, basement or bedroom recording environments and make achieving great recording results easy for anyone.”  Both microphones feature two independent filters located on the microphone with easy to engage switches. If the room or source is boomy, or if there is low-end rumble from outside noise, recordists can turn on the low-cut filter and eliminate much of the problem. The high-cut filter can be used to roll-off high frequencies helping tame bright sources. 

Both new mic packages feature high quality components often found in much more expensive microphones. “We have again utilized our years of experience to create what we believe to be the best value of any professional microphones on the market today. With the classic inspired designs, ultra-low-noise JFETs, built-in filters, and included accessories, these microphone are sure to quickly become a popular choice for any recordists on any budget.” adds Loudenslager.

The LA-220 has a manufacturer suggested retail price of $499 and an estimated street price of $249 and the LA-120 has a suggested retail price of $599 and an estimated street price of $349. They will be available in U.S. retailers starting in August and worldwide in October. 

About Lauten Audio
Lauten Audio microphones continue to carve out a unique niche for recordists seeking microphones with an original sound. Their product line includes their flagship “Eden” LT-386, the award-winning “Oceanus” LT-381 transformer-less tube condenser microphone, and the FC-387 “Atlantis” solid-state Multi-voicing™ large diaphragm condenser microphone. Lauten Audio microphones have received rave reviews from both experienced recording engineers and leading Pro Audio magazines around the world. Lauten Audio is located in San Jose, California, for more information visit http://www.lautenaudio.com or call 1-877-721-7018.

All trademarks are the property of their respective holders. Description and specifications are subject to change without notice.

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