Lauten Audio LA-120 V2
Estimated Shipping Widget will be displayed here!
- This item is covered for 3 years
Essential Information About the Lauten LA-120 Condenser Microphone
Essential Information About the Lauten LA-120 Condenser Microphone
- Transformerless design for very transparent capture, with fast transient response and low coloration.
- Configurable microphone thanks to its interchangeable cardioid and omnidirectional capsules, allowing adaptation of the recording to the context (proximity, room, ambiance).
- Built-in analog shaping with multi-position high-pass and low-pass filters, to control bass and treble right at the source.
- JFET electronics made in the USA designed to reproduce the vibrancy and character of an instrument with very natural realism.
Manufacturer Information
Lauten Audio
https://www.lautenaudio.com
Sales@LautenAudio.com
------------------------
Safety manager:
Woodbrass.com
Email: support@woodbrass.com
Address:
A modern "small diaphragm" mic designed for studio flexibility
The Lauten LA-120 embodies a contemporary approach to condenser microphones: rather than using a transformer to add color and saturation, it favors a transformerless architecture to preserve maximum detail and precision. Its uniqueness lies in going beyond a simple "instrument" mic by offering a configurable platform: you change the polar pattern by swapping capsules, and sculpt the signal using analog filters directly on the microphone.
Who is it for and what recording applications?
The LA-120 is ideal if you're looking for a condenser mic that can do it all, from home studios to professional studios. In cardioid, it excels on close sources where focus and good separation are desired: acoustic guitar, amplifier, snare drum, hi-hat, percussion, strings, or backing vocals. In omnidirectional, it becomes formidable for capturing a room, an instrument section, or a more "open" take, with a sense of air and naturalness. Its wide dynamic range and controlled noise floor also make it a good choice for nuanced sources such as fingerpicking, bowed instruments, or ambient recordings.
Sound shaping features useful even before the preamp
Built-in analog filters to save time during mixing
The LA-120 integrates simple and effective filter-type equalization to control the recording right from the start. The high-pass filter helps clean up vibrations, plosives, and rumble (or prevents overloading the bass in close-miking). The low-pass filter helps tame excessive brightness, reduce certain sibilances, or control an overly "metallic" instrument, all while maintaining a clean signal chain.
Cardioid and omnidirectional capsules: one mic, two philosophies
Changing the capsule changes how you position the microphone and how the room contributes to the sound. The cardioid pattern facilitates isolation and multitrack work. The omnidirectional pattern favors a more natural image and a more linear low-frequency response, particularly interesting for ambient recordings, ensembles, and certain acoustic instruments.
Technical specifications
| Frequency response - start | 20 Hz | Directivity | omnidirectional, cardioid |
| Frequency response - end | 20 kHz | Connection | XLR |
| Category | studio microphone | Color | Black |
| Polar patterns | cardioid and omnidirectional (interchangeable capsules) | Max SPL (0.5% THD at 1,000 Hz) | 130 dB |
| Frequency response | 20 Hz-20 kHz | Self-noise level | below 15 dB-A |
| High-pass filter | flat / 50 Hz / 120 Hz | Sensitivity | 10 mV/Pa -40 dB (0 dB = 1 V/Pa at 1 kHz) |
| Low-pass filter | flat / 15 kHz / 10 kHz | Impedance | less than 200 ohms |
| Dynamic range | minimum 120 dB | Connector | 3-pin XLR |
You will also like
Shure
SM81 LC
Austrian Audio
CC8
Shure
KSM 137
Shure
KSM 141 SL
Austrian Audio
CC8 SC
Slate Digital
ML-2A
Rode
NT4
Rode
NT5 MP
Questions frequently asked
Does the Lauten Audio LA-120 V2 offer multiple polar patterns?
Interchangeable capsules allow selecting between a cardioid and an omnidirectional polar pattern. The cardioid capsule enhances isolation, while the omnidirectional capsule is suited for ambient and ensemble recordings.
What filters are built into the LA-120 V2?
A switchable high-pass filter offers flat, 50 Hz, and 120 Hz positions to reduce vibrations or excessive bass. A low-pass filter is also available with flat, 15 kHz, and 10 kHz positions. These settings are integrated directly into the microphone.
Can the LA-120 V2 handle high sound pressure levels?
With a maximum SPL of 130 dB at 0.5% total harmonic distortion at 1 kHz, this microphone can capture sources such as a snare drum, percussion, or an amplifier.
What type of connection does this studio microphone use?
The XLR output ensures connection to an audio interface, mixer, or preamp equipped with an XLR microphone input. Its impedance is below 200 ohms.
Is the self-noise of the LA-120 V2 suitable for detailed recordings?
Its self-noise is under 15 dB-A and its dynamic range reaches at least 120 dB. These values are appropriate for nuanced recordings of fingerpicking, bowed instruments, or ambient sounds.
