What is an OSP mic-- Unusual shoot-out.

Found this video shoot- out. What do you think. I'll check in to this OSP thing. Let me know if you are familiar with it.
By the way, I think the U87 sounds best. But what do I know?


Okay. So OSP is a Chinese supplier that started showing up around 2006. I have seen that 1300 sold for as low as $70. Average now seems around $157 to a list of $199.
But how does it sound?

$7,000--Sounds like a U47 or $300--Looks like a U47

Wow! Designed in Germany. Radical new eliptical capsule design that's supposed to eliminate inter-freqency harmonics. Fat tube. Fat transformer. Only $6,995. The new Bock 5-Zero-7.

--OR--

Also from Germany, The Vintage T47 appears to be a Chinese knock-off, like many others.

Do you get what you pay for? Will the difference of around $6,650 make you sound better enough to earn the additional income to pay for it?

Stay tuned.

New Mics Arrive From Lauten

I'm so excited! The long anticipated (by me, anyway) LDC mics from Lauten are in stock at Summit Audio.

Damon Gramont called me this afternoon to let me know that Summit has them and are ready to talk VO mics when we are. The two we may be most interstetd in are the Oceanus and the Clarion.
The Oceanus is that Super-Mic we have all been waiting for. He says it really sounds BIG--in your face, BIG.
He suggest the Clarion may be the most useful for VO because it sounds full, yet smooth.
My suggestion, if you are interested, is to call Damon and talk Mics and preamps. Work your own deal, but tell him you saw it on VO Mic Test and he will know where you are coming from.

I really can't wait to hear these new mics, so let me know if you try one out.

Damon Gramont
Sales Manager, Summit Audio
U.S. Distribution, Lauten Audio
Office 805 517-1894Mobile 818 919-4009
www.summitaudio.com

5201 Great America Pkwy. Suite 320
Santa Clara, Ca 95054
877-721-7018 LautenAudio.com
LAUTEN AUDIO

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

LAUTEN AUDIO BEGINS SHIPPING THREE EXCITING NEW MICROPHONES

SANTA CLARA, CA, September 16, 2008 – Lauten Audio, a professional microphone maker, has
begun shipping three new studio microphones: the Oceanus LT-381, the Clarion FC-357 and the Torch ST-221.
Each new model compliments each other as well as the company's first product, the Horizon
tube microphone, and enriches its professional studio microphone line.

“We are very excited to begin shipping and filling our pre-orders,” says Brian Loudenslager, Founder of Lauten Audio. “I am really proud of everyone involved that made these new mics come to life.”

Lauten Audio’s new studio microphones include:

Oceanus LT-381
List: $1599.00
The highly anticipated Oceanus LT-381 features a newly designed large dual-diaphragm capsule, NOS military grade pentode input, transformer-less triode output, and variable omni, cardioid and figure-8 polar patterns.
Visually stunning, the Oceanus is a fantastic vocal mic. It is an original high-performance tube condenser microphone that produces full and detailed recordings.

Torch ST-221 pair
List: $1499.00
The Torch ST-221 is a small diaphragm tube microphone that is packaged in pairs. These
microphones feature interchangeable cardioid and omnidirectional capsules, NOS military grade
vacuum tubes and premium high-resolution electronics. The Torch combines the characteristics
of the small diaphragm and the tube, making it an ideal choice for recording instruments. The
package includes 21 components and accessories.

Clarion FC-357
List: $799.00
The Clarion FC-357 is a solid-state multi-pattern large diaphragm condenser microphone. The
microphone is a blend of classic and modern FET sound. It has class-A electronics and a dual-
diaphragm capsule capable of omnidirectional, cardioid and figure-8 polar patterns. It also
features a unique three-position attenuation and gain switch, which offers powerful recording
options

“Each of these models offers a unique sound to recordists, and all of the Lauten Audio studio
microphones are designed to compliment each other," says Mr. Loudenslager. "The feedback we
received from our pre-release evaluations beat our expectations and really validated what we wanted to accomplish. I am very confident we have raised the bar for original sound and innovation as a boutique brand.”

“We are proud to offer a truly different microphone brand in the US," says Erik Papp of Summit Audio Inc., which is Lauten Audio’s sale representative in the US. "From the beginning of working with Lauten Audio I have been excited about being involved with a microphone manufacturer that is creating unique products.
I have a lot of respect for their ability to successfully create original designs. After years in development with the new products, we have really great products to offer."
Mr. Loudenslager adds, “We have taken steps to differentiate ourselves in a crowded microphone market. Whether it is unique circuits, new capsule designs, or including more relevant accessories, we make products that empower recordists at all levels.”
The new Lauten Audio microphones are available at dealers around the world.

Visit the company's website at www.lautenaudio.com for more information.
About Lauten Audio:
Lauten Audio is a high-end microphone manufacturer formed by professionals with diverse backgrounds ranging from microphone design, physics, recording engineering, and manufacturing. The company’s philosophy is to create original, high-quality microphones that empower recordists at all levels.
Lauten Audio is located in Santa Clara, CA, the phone is 1-877-721-7018.

Charter Oak E700 for Voiceover?

I've been asking this question for quite a while. Is anyone using the Charter Oak E700 for voiceover. Please let us hear from you if you are or have. the specs and discription seem to be great for E700 to be a knockout mic to bring out the best in spoken word.

Of course, there is a fine example of the Charter Oak SA538 test on the VO Mic Tests website and it sure sounds smooth.

Oh, if you are not familiar with Michael Deming and what Charter Oak is all about, you may appreciate this if you haven' already seen it:

Mic Mod Info

How do I reach the company that 'tweaks' and sweetens
mics, Audio Upgrades?
I have a Marshall 770 that might benefit from their
efforts.
I am awaiting delivery of a Heil P 40 and your blog has
really wetted my palate.
Thanks for the great work and resources,
Brian Butler
www.brianbutlervoice.com and for US
users www.voiceperform.com

Brian,
Thanks for your note. Your 770 has been the subject of many "modifying" topics on the web. Most all love the changes.
Yes, Jim Williams of Audio Upgrades did our Marshall SP-1 and we are ecstatic with the improvement. He charges somewhere between $125 - $175 depending on the difficulty. Jim is very specific about his feelings on how things should be done and what sounds best. I like his style. He's very professional but sometimes hard to get a hold of.
Usually you just send the mic along with the modification fee and return shipping. Tell him we (that VO Mic Test guy) referred you.
Let us know how you do with your new mics.
Thanks again,
Willie

Contact info:
Jim Williams
Audio Upgrades
6410 Matilija Ave.Van Nuys, CA 91401
Phone: (818)780-1222
Fax:(818) 346-2308
jwilliams3@earthlink.net

KEL...The Most Mic for the Money?

It seems like just a few years ago, in my podcasting days, friends whose opinions I trust were raving about this great little Canadian company’s inexpensive little mic. “You really should try this mic,” they would tell me. “Yeah, sounds good and you can’t beat the price. But it’s not a real VO mic,” I argued. OK—whatever.
Next thing I know, the HM-1 is turning up in home studios everywhere. It’s now known as one of the best mic values ever.

Mr. Kel himself, Kelly Dueck, has suggested that Kel doesn’t necessarily want their mics to sound like everyone else’s. These mics fill in those special places in your microphone tool box. Not too bright, not too dark—just right for special needs.

Lately, several of you have sent me word to check out the newest offerings from Kelly’s crew--the HM-2D and the HM-7U. You said they would surprise a lot of Voiceover artists. So, by popular demand:

Hi Willie,

We've updated the site and are going to be adding new clips, soon. Here are two that you can use -- one for the HM-7U and one for the HM-2D. Enjoy!

Just a quick note about the clips I just sent -- the mics were flat into an Amek 9098 pre, into the converters on a Focusrite ISA428, no compression.

Thanks! Please let me know if you have any questions ...

Kelly, for KEL Audio
kelaudio@kelaudio.com

My impressions? You know I am a fan of transformerless mics. They seem clearer and more true to the sound. That’s just me. I am a fan of Kel’s mic philosophy--Find a need and fill it. Stay true to the goal.
The HM-2D has a familiar sound. To me, it’s a lot like a Shure SM7B large diaphragm dynamic. That’s not a bad thing—especially at half the price.
But the HM-7U intrigues me. They make references to the Neumann U47. OK, you have my attention. The Kel package is totally different in its approach to the U47-like sound. Listen for yourself. I suggest you not try to compare to the U47 but evaluate the sound on its own merit. Honestly, I would like to try this new mic for myself…it may be a winner. It has all the necessary ingredients.
LISTEN HERE
We are being blessed with exciting new choices of $299 microphones that claim to compete with $2,000 to $4,000 mics. We will feature some more of them in the future.