Michael Ashby & Lauten Audio - Sonic Secrets Behind Hip-Hop Sensation Cardi B’s ‘Bodak Yellow’

Engineer Michael Ashby chooses Lauten Audio’s “Eden” LT-386 Multi-voicing™ vacuum tube microphone for the smash #1 Billboard Hot 100 ‘Bodak Yellow’ by Cardi B

Michael Ashby with his Eden LT-386 microphone

San Jose, CA — September 25, 2017 — Engineer Michael Ashby recorded vocals for Hip Hop sensation Cardi B’s hit single “Bodak Yellow (Money Moves)” at Krematorium Studio in New York. The song, featuring beats by J-White DID IT (Anthony G. White), was released the summer of 2017 and is the highest charting single by a female rapper in nearly 20 years. Engineer Ashby chose his ‘go-to female vocal mic’ — the Lauten Audio Eden LT-386 — to record vocals for the song. Shortly after the release of ‘Bodak Yellow’ the song became a multi-week #1 R&B/Hip-Hop charting song and today hit #1 on the Hot 100 Billboard chart. The song is nominated for 3 BET Hip Hop Awards: Biggest Single of the Year, Best Impact Track, and Best Hip Hop Video — the Youtube video has over 170-Million views: https://youtu.be/PEGccV-NOm8

When it came to choosing a mic for the Cardi B session, Ashby recalls, “We wanted a microphone that would sit on top of the mix, not just the high-frequencies, but the low-end too. We found during the mixing process we wanted more dominance from her in the low-end. She doesn’t want to sound like Niki Minaj. So, when she came into the studio that day I asked if they wanted to switch to the 251 or just leave the Eden up. We decided to leave the Eden up, knowing I could just carve away what I didn’t want. That’s what I love about the Eden, everything’s there if you need it. In terms of comparing the best of the best, the Eden definitely takes it.”

Ashby first purchased his Eden in early 2016 and it has become a staple in the Krematorium Studio vocal booth. In an unsolicited review on Sweetwater’s website, Ashby wrote, “I call it my secret Sony C-800G killer because it delivers almost the same vibe as a C-800G recording, but so much smoother, from the mids all the way up!!! Paired with my Chandler Little Devil Pre with the ‘bright’ switch on, and you have a simply AMAZING MONSTER!!!” Having spent nearly 2 years with the mic, now Ashby says, “When tracking vocals all I have to do on the Neve 551 EQ is take 220hz and attenuate that down a bit, like 0.5 to 1dB, and the top-end and mid-range sits hella clean for my vocal applications. The Eden has this robust and crispy top-end, very modern, but still a smooth type of sound. It’s literally been the only mic that’s been up for months in a row.”

A post shared by ASHBY THE MIX ENGINEER (@ashbymix) on Dec 25, 2016 at 7:37am PST

Adding further details about Cardi’s “Money Moves” session, Ashby says, “It was about a 2-to-3 hour session and I could tell they were on a mission that day. Immediately, she started rehearsing the song, and then went into the vocal booth and said ‘I’m gonna work the Money Moves.’ According to Asbhy, the signal chain for Cardi B’s vocals were an Eden, using the ‘Forward’ Multi-voicing™ setting, Chandler Little Devil preamp, a touch of 80Hz roll-off on a Neve 551EQ, and an API 527 for compression. 

Michael Ashby is a drummer who fell in love with audio recording after graduating high school. He is the owner of Krematorium Studio in Elmont, NY. He’s a graduate of the SAE Institute in NYC, and today is a respected next generation audio engineer who's engineered for multiple Grammy® nominated artists and producers. In addition to Cardi B, his credits include Melissa B, B Howard, BK Brasco, Josh X, Latoya Jackson, Anthony Xi, Fetty Wap, Exit 21 and many other top artists. For more about Michael Ashby visit: https://www.ashbymix.com and https://www.thekrematorium.com 

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.

Review - Lauten Audio Eden LT-386 Large Diaphragm Multipattern Tube Condenser

The Eden LT-386

The first review of our new Eden LT-386 multi-voicing™ vacuum tube condenser microphone is out!

Found out why Rob Tavaglione of Pro Sound News said "...I can say that this LDC is the finest, most versatile one I have ever used."

Prosound Network: Lauten Audio Eden LT-386 Large Diaphragm Multipattern Tube Condenser

Darrell Thorp Becomes a Believer in Atlantis

Los Angeles, CA – May 18, 2015 – Seven-time Grammy® winning Engineer and Mixer, Darrell Thorp, recently acquired a pair of Lauten Audio’s Multi-voicing™ microphones, the Atlantis FC-387.

Recently picking up multiple Grammy’s for his work on Beck’s, “Morning Phase,” Thorp has built a solid foundation in the music industry, further adding to that foundation with his Atlantis microphones. Thorp and Lauten Audio’s founder, Brian Loudenslager, recently became acquainted after exchanging social media praise for each other. “I friended Darrell on Facebook; upon him accepting my request, he posted on my page stating, “Love your mics!” I replied simply, “Love your ears,” says Loudenslager, adding, “Of course I had to inquire and get more specifics as I wasn't aware Darrell was using our microphones”.

During a session in 2014, Thorp had a challenging vocal session with a female singer, Suzanne Santo from the band HoneyHoney, who had a very powerful and dynamic vocal. Thorp talked the producer into getting a demo of the Atlantis microphone so he could try it on a few things. “The producer wanted to try it on her vocal,” said Thorp. “We had tried other microphones without success. We put up the Atlantis and, BAM!, really airy and open,” says Thorp. “What really surprised us was how much the mic was smoothing out the 3k bump that was part of her tone. It smoothed the vocal into a more manageable place that I could handle better on the mix. And she loved the Atlantis as well,” added Thorp. He used the ‘Neutral’ setting on the Multi-voicing Atlantis mic, the other settings are ‘Gentle’ and ‘Forward’.

Thorp speaking at Grammy's

“It was truly an honor to have the intended design of the Atlantis validated by such a decorated engineer like Thorp”, says Loudenslager. Released in 2012, the Atlantis was a collaboration between engineer/producer Fab Dupont and Lauten Audio. Dupont wanted a modern vocal microphone, with multiple timbres that could tackle any vocal challenge, that idea became the Atlantis, model FC-387. On release of the Atlantis in 2012, Fab said, “I need a microphone that can be custom tailored for recording female vocalists, so that when they start belting on a chorus – my eyes don’t hurt!” 

Since that initial demo of the Atlantis, Thorp added a pair to his own collection. “I’ve now used them on drums, vocals, background vocals, and guitars,” says Thorp. “I recently used Atlantis on snare; turned it to the ‘Forward’ setting, holy crap, the snare was really snappy and bright - perfect for the song. I like it on back-ground vocals in Omni mode.” In addition to having the Multi-voicing switch, Atlantis also features Cardioid, Figure-of-eight, and Omni-directional polar patterns, as well as a +10 gain, and -10dB pad.

“It’s been great in the mix,” Thorp told Loudenslager, “Man, I am a believer. You have a great product here!”




Lauten Audio
www.lautenaudio.com

Darrell Thorp
www.darrellthorp.com

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COLIN HAY'S "NEXT YEAR PEOPLE" FEELS THE MAGIC OF LAUTEN'S ATLANTIS VOCAL MICROPHONE

Los Angeles, CA (March 9th, 2015) –Grammy winning recording artist, Colin Hay applies

the magic of Lauten Audio’s Multi-voicing™, Atlantis studio microphone to his latest solo release, “Next Year People”. 

Colin with one of his Atlantis microphones

Perhaps best known as a founding member of the 80’s Australian band, Men at Work, Hay has also had a very successful solo career since the early 2000’s.  Hay’s newest album, “Next Year People,” was released on February 17th.  Hay recently added a pair of Lauten Audio’s Atlantis, FC-387 Multi-voicing™, studio microphones to his studio.  “I received a demo of the Atlantis in late 2013 and it sounded stellar.  Shortly after I had ordered a new one, I asked to purchase and keep the demo unit as well.”

"I've recorded many different instruments with the Atlantis, and it's wonderful.  Vocals, acoustic guitar, tres (Cuban stringed instrument), tablas, congas, acoustic bass, etcetera.  It sounds great on everything," says Hay.  Hay used his Atlantis on the latest album, and most notably on the title track, NEXT YEAR PEOPLE.  Hay adds, “This is particularly relevant as it's primarily acoustic guitar and vocal, and both were recorded with the Atlantis.”

“I have been fortunate to know Colin for a handful of years now.  I first saw his solo show a number of years ago in San Francisco.  I was floored by the amazing timbre of his live voice as well as the extreme entertainment value he offers.  I was laughing as much as I was listening,” says Brian Loudenslager of Lauten Audio; adding, “He has that type of live voice that can give you chills.” 

The Atlantis FC-387 was a collaborative effort between Lauten Audio, and Fab Dupont. It’s a highly unique studio microphone in that is has a Multi-voicing™ feature giving recordists three distinct timbre’s to choose from with just the flip of a switch.  “The Atlantis has really brought awareness to the Lauten Audio brand,” says Brian Loudenslager of Lauten Audio.  “I hear over and over from new owners how much they appreciate the usability of the microphone.”  Hay adds, “I'm using the Atlantis a lot these days.  It sounds great on everything, very good on my voice and acoustic.  I have one next to me at all times in the control room, and can fire it up on anything at any given moment.”

Colin Hay’s, Next Year People, is available from all major outlets and he is currently on tour in the U.S.  For the latest tour stop visit www.colinhay.com. 

Lauten Audio
www.lautenaudio.com

Colin Hay
www.colinhay.com


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