Lauten Audio “Atlantis” Microphone Now Shipping

 Audio “Atlantis” Microphone Now Shipping

New FC-387 “Atlantis” solid-state large diaphragm condenser microphone available worldwide June 1, 2012

Fab Dupont with the Atlantis FC-387

San Jose, CA — May 29, 2012 — Lauten Audio has begun shipping its new microphone, the FC-387 “Atlantis” model. The new mic is a solid-state large-diaphragm condenser with three distinct personalities. Atlantis features multiple switches for three different polar patterns, gain, and unique timbre settings. The FC-387 offers a blend of full and rich low- and mid-range, as well as smooth and unique high-mid and high-frequencies - recordists seeking an incredibly diverse and useful modern FET studio microphone will like it. The Atlantis FC-387 microphone retails for $1599. US and will be available worldwide from dealers June 1, 2012.

The engineer who had a huge ‘voice’ in the tuning and settings of Atlantis, Fab DuPont, a New York engineer and producer says, “Nobody is making a microphone for the modern recording process - everybody is making microphones as if we were still going through consoles and transformers to tape several times in the process of recording. The reality is we don’t. The reality is that we all record into a very clean preamp, into a very clean converter, into a very clean DAW, coming out a very clean D-to-A. And everything in incredibly open and bright and pristine; it’s really hard to make a modern, good sounding record because everything is too bright and everything is very wide open.” 

Fab had been speaking with Brian Loudenslager from Lauten Audio at parties and tradeshows and telling him about this predicament. Fab recalled telling Brian, who agreed to work with him on a new model of Lauten Audio microphone, “I need a microphone that can be custom tailored, for recording female vocalists, so that when they start belting on the chorus - my eyes don’t hurt!” 

Brian Loudenslager, Founder of Lauten Audio reveals, “It’s really been a pleasure and an eye opening experience working with Fab on the Atlantis. Getting what I feel was a true non-biased opinion during the development and tuning of the Atlantis has taught me a lot about how others perceive the timbre of a microphone. This microphone is just so useful, with the many different preamps, voices and sources available today; the Atlantis can work with them all. Just flip a switch, or two.”

Fab adds, “The idea was to put it all in one microphone. A microphone that would be neutral enough for modern recording, so that when you plug it into a regular preamp it’s all good and it doesn’t sound too bright and annoying. Then it would have several personalities. One personality would be the neutral one, one personality would be a mellower one for bright vocalists. And a bright setting too, even brighter than neutral—if you are recording dull instruments you can use that.”

After shipping many experimental microphone builds back and forth between California, where Lauten Audio is located, and New York, where Fab’s studio is housed, they finally agreed on the specs and the sound of the mic. “We came up with what is now the Atlantis. Which to me is my very first ‘desert island mic’ - I can do anything with it,” says Fab. “It’s probably the most versatile mic I’ve ever had because of those three different personalities.”

Multiple switches located on each side and back of the FC-387 Atlantis microphone allow the engineer to uniquely configure it. First is a polar pattern switch giving recordists the option of choosing between Cardioid, Omnidirectional or Figure-8 polar patterns. Borrowing the gain options from its sibling, the Lauten Audio ‘Clarion’ FC-357 microphone, the Atlantis features a -10db and +10dB switch. The +10dB gain switch increases versatility by allowing a choice of whether to have more character from the preamplifier gain or directly from the microphone, while the -10dB switch reduces its output and increases the maximum SPL level allowing it to record very loud sources.

What makes the Atlantis microphone truly unique is its voicing switch. This feature gives recordists three very different timbres to choose from that satisfy an extremely wide range of recorded sources. The options are: Gentle, Neutral and Forward. The ‘Gentle’ position provides maximum control of bright or peaky sources like S’s in vocal recordings. The ‘Neutral’ position offers a nice even response with good control over vocal “S” sounds and other audio peaks, while the ‘Forward’ position can help bring life to dull sources without having to use EQ, but still maintaining control over any peaks.

As are all Lauten Audio microphones, the FC-387 Atlantis is built with extreme attention to detail. From the individually hand-tuned capsule to the premium high-resolution electronics, the microphone is a high-quality precision instrument that will meet or exceed the demands of any studio recording environment. 

Fab’s experiences with the Atlantis mic in his own studio, recording on real projects, has revealed how well the mic turned out. “I have tracked a pretty impressive amount of vocals through it - that’s the mic’s main target: vocals - and it has not failed yet. It’s great on female vocalists on the ‘Gentle’ setting,” says Fab. “It’s great on quiet folk singers on the ‘Neutral’ setting. It’s really great on far away drums and stuff on the bright setting because you get no phase problems, and you get the bite that you need. It’s really quite a wonderful mic.”

“The first thing I did with the Atlantis was the demo for the launch of the Universal Audio Apollo demo, that’s a pair of Atlantis mics on the drums. That’s also the Atlantis mic on the vocal for the Apollo demo,” explains Fab.

“I’m doing the next Cyrille Aimée record; she is the next biggest thing in Jazz. She’s totally in love with the Atlantis mic for her vocals. Everybody loves it, big engineers, small engineers. It’s not for people who go for the look of the mic or the name of the brand; it’s for people who actually listen to what’s coming out of the speakers. It’s for people who really know what the current modern recording problems are and want a solution: Atlantis is the solution.”

Technical Specifications for Atlantis FC-387:

Type: 31.25mm dual large diaphragm pressure gradient transducer microphone

Polar Patterns: Omnidirectional, Cardioid and Figure-8 selectable

Circuit: Low-noise solid-state FET

Frequency Range: 20Hz - 20Khz

Dynamic Range: 120dB minimum

Impedance: < 200 ohms

Max. SPL: 0.5%THD@1000Hz: 130dB

Self-noise Level: < 12dB(A)

Sensitivity: 16mV/Pa OR -36±2dB 0dB=1V/Pa 1000Hz

Special Features:

3-way -10 dB attenuation, 0dB and +10dB gain switch

3-way Gentle, Neutral, Forward voicing switch

3-way Polar pattern switch

Connector: 3-Pin standard XLR

Power Requirement: +48V phantom power

The Atlantis FC-387 microphone retails for $1599. US and will be available from dealers worldwide on June 1, 2012.

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 the award-winning “Horizon” LT-321 tube microphone, the “Oceanus” LT-381 transformer-less tube condenser microphone, the ST-221 “Torch” small diaphragm microphones, and the new FC-387 “Atlantis” solid-state multi-functional 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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Amazing deals at Sweetwater for Lauten Audio microphones!

Whether it's your first Lauten Audio microphone, or you are considering your second or third, now is a great time to buy! May is mic month at Sweetwater and Lauten Audio has some amazing deals.


First up, for the entire month of May, purchase any Lauten Audio microphone and get a FREE Ultimate Support MC-125 extra large boom stand ($249 value)


Second, want to pay over time? We're also offering 18-months interest free financing at Sweetwater.


There is has never been a better time to become part of the Lauten Audio family of owners.

Glyn Johns Technique - How to Mic a Drum Kit with Three Lauten Microphones

One of our favorite drum mic techniques explained by Fletcher and the crew at SoundPure.com.

Lauten Audio now available in France at Musikia

We are happy to announce Lauten Audio is now available in France exclusively at Musikia. Alain Pluchot has welcomed us with open arms and says “the entire sales team is really impressed with the mics”.

We get requests each month from engineers, producers and studio owners located in France who want to acquire a Lauten Audio microphone, so it is great finally have an experienced team of Pro Audio sales professionals dedicated to the line.

For more information about Musikia and Lauten Audio microphones in France please use the contact information below.

Musikia Professionnels

11 Bd. de Sébastopol

75001 PARIS

Tel: +33 (1) 55 34 99 39

Musikia.com

Lauten Audio Announces New “Atlantis” Microphone

Versatile New FC-387 “Atlantis” solid-state large diaphragm condenser microphone debuts at NAMM

Anaheim, CA — January 19, 2012 — At the 2012 Winter NAMM show, Lauten Audio announced a new microphone, the FC-387 “Atlantis” model, a solid-state multi-functional, large-diaphragm condenser. The uniquely appointed Atlantis microphone features multiple switches for three different polar patterns, gain, and unique timbre settings. The FC-387 is for recordists seeking an incredibly diverse and useful modern FET studio microphone. It offers a blend of full and rich low and mid-range, as well as smooth and unique high-mid and high-frequencies. Audio Plus Services, the distributor for Lauten Audio microphones in North America, is showing the new Atlantis microphone in their NAMM Booth 6998, in HALL A. The Atlantis FC-387 microphone retails for $1599. US and will be available in Q2 of 2012.

Brian Loudenslager, Founder of Lauten Audio reveals, “The idea of the FC-387 ‘Atlantis’ microphone was conceived over several years during conversations with engineer Fabrice DuPont of Flux Studios and Puremix.net. Fab had acquired several Lauten microphones over the years and I would pick his brain at industry tradeshows about the mics. I always try and speak to owners of our products to learn where they’re using a mic most, where they feel it’s shining and where it’s not working for them.”

“We’re pleased to be at NAMM with Lauten Audio to introduce the Atlantis FC-387 microphone,” said Simon Côté, Manager of Professional Products at Audio Plus Services. “We believe in Lauten Audio’s product direction and especially their dedication to serving respected recording engineers with special designs. The ‘Atlantis’ mic will no doubt be very popular.”

Loudenslager adds, “What I am most impressed about Fab is that he is always brutally honest and never sugar-coats his opinions. It was during conversations with him that I made a challenge to myself; I wanted to design a microphone that Fab would love, one that would be part of his first choices at the beginning of a session! Over the past year I’ve had the opportunity to work with Fab and create that mic. It’s been challenging with a very rewarding end result.”

Multiple switches located on each side and back of the FC-387 Atlantis microphone allow the engineer to uniquely configure it. First is a polar pattern switch giving recordists the option of choosing between Cardioid, Omnidirectional or Figure-8 polar patterns. Borrowing the much-loved gain options from its sibling the Lauten Audio ‘Clarion’ FC-357 microphone, the Atlantis features a -10db and +10dB switch. The +10dB gain switch increases versatility by allowing a choice of whether to have more character from the preamplifier gain or directly from the microphone. While the -10dB switch reduces its output and increases the maximum SPL level allowing it to record very loud sources.

What makes the Atlantis microphone truly unique is its voicing switch. This feature gives recordists three very different timbres to choose from that satisfy an extremely wide range of recorded sources. The options are: Gentle, Neutral and Forward. The ‘Gentle’ position provides maximum control of bright or peaky sources like S’s in vocal recordings. The ‘Neutral’ position offers a nice even response with good control over vocal S’s and other audio peaks, while the ‘Forward’ position can help bring life to dull sources without having to use EQ, but while still maintaining control over any peaks.

As are all Lauten Audio microphones, the FC-387 Atlantis is built with extreme attention to detail. From the individually hand-tuned capsule and premium high-resolution electronics, the microphone is a high-quality precision instrument that will meet or exceed the demands of any studio recording environment.

Technical Specifications for Atlantis FC-387:

Type: 31.25mm dual large diaphragm pressure gradient transducer microphone

Polar Patterns: Omnidirectional, Cardioid and Figure-8 selectable

Circuit: Low-noise solid-state FET

Frequency Range: 20Hz - 20Khz

Dynamic Range: 120dB minimum

Impedance: < 200 ohms

Max. SPL: 0.5%THD@1000Hz: 130dB

Self-noise Level: < 12dB(A)

Sensitivity: 16mV/Pa OR -36±2dB 0dB=1V/Pa 1000Hz

Special Features:

3-way -10 dB attenuation, 0dB and +10dB gain switch

3-way Gentle, Neutral, Forward voicing switch

3-way Polar pattern switch

Connector: 3-Pin standard XLR

Power Requirement: +48V phantom power

The Atlantis FC-387 microphone retails for $1599. US and will be available in Q2 of 2012.

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 the award-winning “Horizon” LT-321 tube microphone, the “Oceanus” LT-381 transformer-less tube condenser microphone, the ST-221 “Torch” small diaphragm microphones, and the new FC-387 “Atlantis” solid-state multi-functional 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.

About Audio Plus Services

Established in 1979, Audio Plus Services is a leading North American importer and distributor of premium consumer and professional electronics brands including Focal monitors, Vovox cables and Lauten Audio microphones. Based in Montreal with U.S facilities in Champlain, NY, Audio Plus has sales personnel located throughout the United States to professionally service their active roster of more than 300 specialty A/V and Pro Audio dealers. Audio Plus specializes in products and services for the professional audio and performing musician markets, and the home theater and custom integration (CI) market – both residential and commercial – for North America. Visit the Audio Plus website at http://www.audioplusservices.com/ or call (800) 663-9352 for more information.

Country Vocals with the Oceanus from Lauten Audio

Lauten Audio's Oceanus is a large diaphragm tube condensor with a rich tone, perfect for male or female vocals. In this video demonstration, country singer GW Pierce sings an original composition.

Summer NAMM - Come see Lauten Audio in Nashville!

Come see Lauten Audio at the Summer NAMM show in Nashville, TN. We will be located in Booth# 1328 at the Nashville Convention Center.

Show Location & Hours

Nashville Convention Center

601 Commerce Street

Nashville, TN 37203

Thursday, July 21 10 a.m.-6 p.m.

Friday, July 22 10 a.m.-6 p.m.

Saturday, July 23 10 a.m.-4 p.m.

Oceanus captures female jazz vocals in a smooth and musical manner

From our friends at SoundPure.com

The Lauten Audio Oceanus large diaphragm tube condensor microphone is one of the most versatile and unique sounding microphones on the market. In this performance, the Oceanus captures the female jazz vocals in a smooth and musical manner, while also adding subtle tube warmth. The physical design and circuit topology of the Oceanus provides incredible clarity and a superb ability to capture even the most minute details of any performance, completely free of any harsh artifacts. Contact the professional engineers and sales associates at Sound Pure with any further questions regarding this fantastic, versatile microphone from Lauten Audio. Special thanks to Adia Ledbetter for her performance.

Classical Trumpet and the Lauten Torch ST-221

Lauten Audio Torch ST-221 pair - a video demonstration from SoundPure.com on how to record classical trumpet with XY, AB Spaced Pair, and Near, Far mic techniques with omni and cardioid capsules. As you can no doubt hear, the Torch pair from Lauten Audio does a wonderful job capturing the trumpet due to its fast transient response.

Mike Terry's tips on Micing Drum Kits

Mike Terry's tips on Micing Drum Kits

First thing first, drum kit preparation.

Drums are very often recorded first; recordings are frequently built piece by piece on top of the drum foundation, so it’s very important that the fundamentals are in place first.

Tune the drums, if this is something you can't do yourself, call someone in for it. This is done all the time, don't feel bad. If the heads need to be replaced, do it, not a time to skimp, get the appropriate heads for the style and get them tuned up.

If you have recorded in this room before and have already found the sweet spot, cool, move ahead. If not, try setting up the Kick and snare all around the room and just listen, you'll find the spot that work's the best. This way, when you do get the mics up, you will have something nice to listen to pretty quickly.

There are many techniques, approaches, even philosophies as to how to properly mic a drum kit, and without going into too much detail of these, work on getting the phase of the mics aligned properly to one another. This is a skill that that takes time and experience, but well worth it.

I start as minimally as possible and add mics as needed and as desired by the band and or Producer, if there is one. Some Producers like to have lots of mics, in order to provide lots of options later on, I'm indifferent on that one, so I'll keep sticking them up until I get lots of smiles.

My first step is to align the overheads with the kick and snare mics, once this is established all other mics can be referenced from these three points. Using the phase switch on your preamp, find the position where you lose low end the most. Move the mics until you have maximum loss of low end (out of phase), then switch the phase switch back the other way and now you will have maximum gain of low end (in phase). It is usually quicker and easier to hear the low end loss rather than the low end peak.

To get things started, I will put up a pair of Oceanus tube mics, set in Cardioid mode for the overheads. Getting a rough position, I will observe the 3 to 1 rule; 1 foot above the cymbals means I need to keep them 3 feet apart. I like to keep them as low as possible and try to maintain the snare drum as the center point; this will help keep the snare mic in phase with both overhead mics. I really like the Oceanus for overheads because it captures a nice balance of the overall kit, and can provide a lot of body to the drums, while keeping the cymbals nice and shimmery, if I later decide to use mics on each drum, it’s easy to go in and filter out low frequency from the overheads, letting them be more cymbal and air mics, which the Oceanus excels at.

Next I always add the snare mic, I want to get it nice and close, yet maintain phase with my overheads, the combination of direct snare and the sound of the snare in the overheads when properly set in phase is pure gold. The one mic I reach to first for this is always the Lauten Horizon, it can take the SPL and it is fat, warm, and almost always perfect once the phase is set. I will usually have to go into the room to raise or lower the overheads in order to fine tune the phase, typical movement is within 6-12" up or down, just move them around, find the low end loss on the snare and switch the phase again, and you should be good. Once the phase is set between the Overheads and the snare, you will not be moving them again. From this point, each additional mic added will be moved to gain phase alignment to the overheads and the snare.

Next comes the kick, this is often times a double mic situation, one for the inside to get the attack and punch, one for the outside to get the body and depth. I start from the outside, and then move inward. Do a little listening while sitting in front of the kick and have the drummer step on it a few times, find a good spot, 3-8" away from the head, and set the mic there. Again, I really like the low end capabilities of the Lauten Horizon, and because it can handle the SPL, it’s a great choice for outside kick mic. Go listen to this mic mixed with the overheads, listening in mono helps. With the phase switch on the kick preamp, find the low end loss, now move this mic forwards and backwards a little to find the point of maximum loss. Once found, flip the switch and now you are ready to move on to the inside mic, I like a Beta 52. Start by moving this mic in reference to the outside Kick mic, the Horizon, once these are locked in phase turn all the mics back on, pan your overheads, and you will have a nice full, well balanced drum sound.

If you choose to keep adding mics, such as close tom mics, reference them to the overheads and move them until locked in phase. If you're adding room mics, reference them to your kick and snare. It’s also a good idea to use gaffers tape to secure your mic stands down, once locked into place; this will insure consistency and eliminate the worry of somebody bumping them out of position.

For more information on Lauten Audio microphones visit www.LautenAudio.com

Who is Mike?

Mike is the ears behind Lauten Audio microphones. He has multiple Grammy nominations and has worked in some of the most sought after studios and with some of the most sought after clients in the world. His credits include Foo Fighters, The Eagles, Jessica Simpson, Eric Hutchinson and many more…