recordinghacks

Lauten Audio LS-308

Cardioid Condenser Microphone

The LS-308 from Lauten Audio is a side-address, large-diaphragm condenser microphone. Lauten refers to this mic as a “problem solver”, due to its unique off-axis rejection characteristics.

The LS-308 features a polar pattern referred to by the manufacturer as “second-order cardioid”. The two capsules interact with the circuitry to produce 270 degrees of off-axis rejection with minimal bleed from the rear. This behavior offers the ability to record multiple sources in proximity to each other with increased separation.

While the stated frequency response is 20 Hz - 20kHz, Lauten likens the response to that of a ribbon microphone, with a roll-off beginning at about 7kHz. There are two switches on the mic body that engage high- and low-pass filters. The highpass filter can be set at 50Hz or 120Hz and the lowpass at 8kHz or 10kHz. The LS-308 can handle 135dB SPL with no pad.

The circuit is designed around a USA-made low-noise FET and utilizes low-distortion polypropylene capacitors as well as a custom output transformer. This mic does require phantom power.

The LS-308 ships with a removable swivel mount, adjustable hard mount, foam windscreen and padded flight case.

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Specifications

Pickup Patterns	Pads & Filters
CHART Cardioid (10.5 mV/Pa; 20-20,000 Hz)	Filter: 50Hz Highpass (Via Switch) Filter: 120Hz Highpass (Via Switch) Filter: 8kHz Lowpass (Via Switch) Filter: 10kHz Lowpass (Via Switch)

Capsule Dimensions	Impedance	SPL/Noise
Capsule diameter: 32mm	150 Ohms (Low)	Max SPL: 135 dB

Weight	Length	Max Diameter	Interface(s)
570g (20.11oz)	184mm (7.24'')	n/a	3-pin XLR male (1)

Power Specifications
Requires phantom power

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