{"id":31619,"date":"2021-07-28T09:23:36","date_gmt":"2021-07-28T08:23:36","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.synthax.co.uk\/latest\/?p=31619"},"modified":"2022-01-05T13:50:56","modified_gmt":"2022-01-05T13:50:56","slug":"lauten-audio-microphones-foo-fighters-medicine-at-midnight","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.synthax.co.uk\/latest\/2021\/07\/28\/lauten-audio-microphones-foo-fighters-medicine-at-midnight\/","title":{"rendered":"Lauten Audio Microphones used to record Foo Fighters\u2019 latest album \u201cMedicine at Midnight\u201d"},"content":{"rendered":"\n\n\n

$\"Dave$ <\/a>A collection of Lauten Audio<\/a> microphones were used by Grammy Award-winning Engineer Darrell Thorp during the recording of Foo Fighters\u2019 tenth studio album “Medicine at Midnight”.<\/h3>\n
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\u201cHome Recording\u201d<\/h4>\n
Recorded entirely inside a holiday rental home in Encino, California, the unique recording setup surrounding \u201cMedicine at Midnight\u201d came to life after frontman Dave Grohl spent time in \u201cthe Encino House\u201d writing and recording demos. The sound of the 1940s house would soon become a key component of the recording process for the album.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe was just so stoked about the drum sounds that he was getting in there\u2014which were phenomenal\u201d recalls recording engineer Darrell Thorp<\/a>. \u201cDave said, \u2018What if we just record in here?\u2019 And he took us into one of the bedrooms and said, \u2018We can make this the control room,\u2019 and he showed us another and said, \u2018And we can put amps in here.\u2019\u201d<\/p>\n
To make the in-house production a reality, all the equipment expected from a high-end studio was transported and set up inside the house, including a number of Lauten Audio microphones. From vocals to guitars and drums, Lauten Audio microphones were placed all over \u201cthe Encino house\u201d, a testament to their versatile nature.<\/p>\n
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$\"Foo$ <\/a>Recording Drums<\/h4>\n
With the drum sound in the holiday rental providing the inspiration behind the album\u2019s unusual recording location, it was important that the sounds were recorded faithfully. Amongst the microphones used on the three drum kits across the house were the Lauten Atlantis and Clarion from the signature series, as well as the LS-308 and LA-220 microphones from the Synergy and Series Black ranges respectively.<\/p>\n
The Lauten LS-308<\/a> \u2013 one of Thorp\u2019s favourite microphones from the Lauten line-up \u2013 was chosen as part of the drum recording setup, given its superior noise rejection qualities.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cYou can stick one on a tom, and you\u2019ll literally hear cymbals just barely as a \u2018ts-ts-ts,\u2019 and the drummer\u2019s bashing the hell out of it. It\u2019s my new favourite tom mic.\u201d<\/p>\n
Lauten\u2019s Clarion FC- 357<\/a> FET condenser was placed in front of the kit, whilst a pair of LA-220<\/a> microphones from the Series Black range were called upon as stereo overheads. \u00a0<\/p>\n
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Darrell Thorp<\/h4>\n
After four years in the US Navy, Darrell Thorp\u2019s journey in the recording industry began in 1997 as an intern at various Los Angeles studios. He would eventually become an Assistant Engineer at some of the most prestigious studio spaces in Los Angeles, including Track Record and finally Ocean Way Recording.<\/p>\n
Fast forward to 2003 and his involvement in OutKast\u2019s \u201cSpeakerboxxx\/The Love Below\u201d and Radiohead\u2019s \u201cHail to the Thief\u201d would earn Darrell the first of his nine Grammy award wins. Credited for his work as a producer, recording and mix engineer on over 200 titles, Darrell Thorp has worked with some of the biggest recording artists including Jay-Z, Beck and of course Foo Fighters.<\/p>\n
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\u201cI really do stand behind the Lauten Audio mics\u201d<\/h3>\n
When working with Foo Fighters on their 2017 release \u201cConcrete and Gold\u201d, Darrell Thorp also used an arsenal of Lauten microphones for the recording sessions. With an instrument setup as large as that on \u201cMedicine at Midnight\u201d, Darrell used a large selection of the Lauten range, including the entire Signature Series and Series Black range.<\/p>\n
\u201cPart of the challenge was we had 4 drum kits set up at once, a bass station, vocals, keys with 2 keyboards and pianos, and over 20 guitar amps, some in the live room and some in Iso-booths \u2013 I was using a lot of Lauten Audio mics.\u201d<\/p>\n
Lauten\u2019s Atlantis microphone from their Signature Series was Darrell\u2019s choice for miking frontman Dave Grohl\u2019s acoustic guitar, with its \u201cgenius\u201d +10dB gain switch making it possible to record even the quietest guitars. Darrell even used the Atlantis for recording acoustic guitar on \u201cMedicine at Midnight\u201d.<\/p>\n
\u201cI really do stand behind the Lauten Audio mics, I use the products a lot! I\u2019m not just a face on an ad and a face on the website. We just did a Foo Fighters BBC Live session and I took an Eden for a mono overhead on the drums, which sounded great. I use the mics all the time when recording!\u201d<\/p>\n\nRead more about Darrell Thorp’s use of a title=”Lauten Audio Microphones Chosen by Darrell Thorp on Concrete and Gold – Synthax Audio UK” href=”https:\/\/www.synthax.co.uk\/latest\/2017\/09\/25\/lauten-audio-microphones-foo-fighters\/”>Lauten mics on Foo Fighters’ album “Concrete and Gold”<\/a>\n
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$\"Atlantis$ <\/a> Signature Series \u2013 Clarion and Atlantis<\/h4>\n
Hand-crafted in Silicon Valley, the Signature Series<\/a> is the pinnacle of Lauten\u2019s microphone range. Beautifully designed with sound to match, the Signature Series is built around three microphones \u2013 the Eden, the Clarion and the Atlantis. \u00a0<\/p>\n
Offering faithful reproduction of vocals as well as detailed recordings of kick drums and bass guitar, the Lauten Audio Clarion is a modern take on a vintage FET condenser microphone bringing astonishing depth and dimension to any recording. Its custom designed 35mm capsule is hand-tuned to deliver vintage sound\u00a0with just the right amount of air, whilst three selectable polar patterns and three-way gain staging make it perfect for a wide range of recording situations.<\/p>\n
Another of Darrell Thorp\u2019s frequently used microphones is the Lauten Audio Atlantis. Featuring switchable polar patterns, multi-voicing capabilities and a 3-way gain switch, the Atlantis offers an extremely diverse, unique and modern FET sound. It offers full and rich, low and mid-range frequencies as well as smooth and unique high-mid and high frequencies no matter which voicing setting is selected.<\/p>\n
The multi-voicing feature is an extremely powerful option when recording vocals and many other sources. Each of the three options on the Atlantis gives an entirely different response. From forward, modern sounds to more gentle tones, the Atlantis effectively packs three microphones into one thanks to individual circuitry for each voicing.<\/p>\n
Learn more about the Lauten Audio Signature Series<\/a>.<\/p>\n
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$\"Lauten$ <\/a> LS-308 – Side Address Noise-Rejection Microphone<\/h4>\n
Used in \u201cthe Encino House\u201d on toms, the Lauten LS-308<\/a> from the Synergy Series is the perfect microphone for recording when sound isolation is paramount.<\/p>\n
With 270 degrees of off-axis rejection, the LS-308 allows for the confident capture of loud, impactful sounds live without the need to replace toms or re-track guitars due to bleed. The LS-308 is able to withstand a staggering 135dB of SPL without internal padding, meaning electric guitars can be tracked in front of a live drum kit, or the bottom of a snare drum with astonishing isolation and dynamic range.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Like the Signature Series, the LS-308 features sound shaping filters removing the need to change out microphones in\u00a0order to get the sound you want.<\/p>\n
Learn more about the Lauten Audio Synergy Series<\/a>.<\/p>\n
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$\"LA-220$ <\/a>LA-220 – Large Diaphragm Condenser Microphone<\/h4>\n
Part of Lauten\u2019s Series Black range, the Lauten Audio LA-220<\/a> is a large diaphragm condenser microphone, built around a US made JFET amplifier. Used by Darrell Thorp as drum kit overhead microphones, the LA-220 is an incredibly versatile microphone that also equally at home on vocals or instruments.<\/p>\n
The LA-220 benefits from two independent filters, offering different voicings for a range of recording applications. These filters also help solve common problems in home, basement or bedroom recording environments.<\/p>\n
If the room or source is boomy, or you have low-end rumble from outside sources like road noise, furnace, air conditioner etc., turn on the low-cut filter and eliminate the problem. The high-cut filter helps to roll-off above 12k and remove any \u201charshness\u201d from the sound source. Both filters also work independently of one other, meaning both can be used at the same time, making the LA-220 incredibly flexible, professional and affordable microphone.<\/p>\n
Learn more about the Lauten Audio LA-220<\/a>.<\/p>\n
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To read the rest of the Foo Fighters recording feature, check out Mix Online\u2019s article series<\/a>.<\/p>\n
Foo Fighters recording session photos by Andrew Stuart<\/a>\n
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If you\u2019d like to know more about Lauten Audio microphones<\/a>, give us a call on 01727 821 870<\/a> to speak to one of our team or to arrange a demo.<\/p>\n
You can also contact us via email<\/a>.<\/p>\n
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