Lauten Audio has announced the V2 release of its Series Black family of microphones, including the LA-120 transformerless condenser, LA-220 FET condenser, and LA-32t Tube condenser microphones.
Each microphone maintains its sound quality, through-hole circuitry, and custom capsule while adding several customer-requested functional and aesthetic improvements. All three models now have polished and engraved nickel head-baskets, while the LA-320 exterior has been completely redesigned to signal its relationship to Lauten Audio’s flagship Eden LT-386 tube microphone. The silk-screened labeling found on the classic LA-120, LA-220, and LA-320 has been replaced by hand-filled lettering and now includes a hallmark Lauten Audio inset badge.
In addition to material and aesthetic improvements, the LA-220 and LA-320 microphones also gain a redesigned, open-face shock mount system that’s designed to improve isolation, flexibility, and long-term reliability.
The LA-120 is a transformerless condenser microphone designed with transparency and sonic flexibility. It’s equipped with analog sound-shaping onboard and includes interchangeable cardioid and omni capsules, and is built around a US-made JFET to capture the vibrance and character of a sound with realism and authenticity. MSRP: $700 / US STREET: $499 (pair)
The LA-220 is a two-tone FET microphone that allows users to choose between the warmth of a classic microphone and the clarity of a modern mic via a switch. It’s centered around a custom-made capsule and hand-soldered circuit path that are designed to provide the musical color and gentle compression associated with classic signal chains but straight into an audio interface. MSRP: $500 / US STREET: $349
The LA-320 is a twin-tone tube microphone that allows users to choose between the warmth and body of a vintage tube microphone and the clarity and presence of a modern tube mic via a switch. It too is centered around a custom capsule and hand-soldered tube circuit path. MSRP: $1000 / US STREET: $699
The new LA-120, LA-220, and LA-320 microphones are scheduled to begin shipping to Lauten Audio dealers and distributors worldwide the first week of November 2022.
