Greg Kurstin Chooses Lauten Audio “Eden” Mic for Maren Morris
Hit-making producer reveals ‘Eden’ mic used on all Morris’ vocals; plus acoustic guitar, and drums
Country music superstar Maren Morris has released her third album, “Humble Quest,” (Columbia Nashville) with Grammy® award-winning producer Greg Kurstin (Adele, Paul McCartney, Foo Fighters), recording all of the vocals and many other sources with one of his two Lauten Audio ‘Eden’ microphones.
Detailing the simple yet effective recording setup he used for Morris, Kurstin explained, “I didn’t have any of the outboard mic pres or compressors that are in my LA studio…so all of Maren’s vocals…the acoustic guitar, and some of the drum kit…were [recorded] right into the Lauten Eden mic and [a] Universal Audio Apollo.”
Read More »Snarky Puppy Uses 26 Lauten Audio Mics on New “Empire Central” Album
Engineer Nic Hard talks about why Lauten Audio mics “worked out perfectly”
Snarky Puppy’s upcoming album “Empire Central” is a return-to-roots masterpiece tracked live in front of a studio audience and slated for release in the Fall. Tasked with capturing 19 musicians simultaneously, recording and mix engineer Nic Hard employed 26 Lauten Audio microphones for use on the group’s 14th album. “I really believe that without these mics, the record wouldn’t sound the same. Lauten Audio mics are now an important part of my arsenal,” said Hard.
Focal Releases New ‘Solo6’ and ‘Twin6’ Monitors
Newly redesigned versions of iconic professional studio monitors retain Focal’s heritage while raising the detail level and transparency beyond the current models
Focal has announced that it is shipping redesigned versions of its iconic professional studio monitors, “Solo6” and “Twin6”. The new versions of these renowned powered monitors, both originally released 15 years ago, retain Focal’s heritage of excellence in design and sound reproduction but offer increased sonic detail and even more transparency. Focal engineers have reached a new zenith in audio design through improved transducer designs, new amplifiers, and a structurally enhanced cabinet. The new monitors also push boundaries by adopting innovations from Focal’s award-winning Trio11 Be monitors including “Focus Mode” and much more. The new Solo6 features mounting points for wall and ceiling placement in immersive systems such as Dolby® Atmos and Sony 360RA® setups. The new Series of monitors is called “ST6” and have suggested retail prices of Solo6 $1599. USD each, Twin6 $2299. USD each, and are available at retailers in the US and Canada on June 3, 2022. In North America, Focal is distributed exclusively by Focal Naim America.
Focal Announces Powerful ‘Sub12’ Subwoofer
Focal Sub12 features a newly designed 13-inch driver with a powerful 600-watt RMS power amp
going lower and louder than ever before
Focal has announced an all-new, powerful “Sub12” subwoofer to add to its line with the Sub6 and Sub One subwoofer lineup. Focal Sub12 features a newly designed 13-inch woofer with a 600-watt power amp utilizing technology and features from their award-winning, flagship Trio11 powered monitors. The new Sub12 has a suggested retail price of $2599. USD and is set to be available at retailers in the US and Canada in Q3, 2022. In North America, Focal is distributed exclusively by Focal Naim America.
“Six Ways Up” New 3-song EP set for May 11, 2022 Release to Streaming
Mnemonic Records is set to release a New 3-song EP by The Arroyo Collective, “Six Ways Up” on May 11, 2022. The initial release will be to all Streaming Services, such as Apple Music, TIDAL, Qobuz, Amazon Music HD, Spotify and dozens of others. May 11 Streaming update:
SPOTIFY
APPLE MUSIC
TIDAL
AMAZON MUSIC HD
SoundCloud Playlist
Mastering Engineer Michael Romanowski Nominated for Three Grammys
Michael Romanowski of Coast Mastering, Berkeley, CA, is nominated for three Grammy Awards including Best Engineered Album, Classical, and Best Immersive Album
[At Press Time: Note that Michael Romanowski has won all three Grammy Awards in the story below]
Mastering engineer Michael Romanowski of Coast Mastering in Berkeley, CA, is nominated for three Grammy® Awards for Best Engineered Album, Classical: Chanticleer “Chanticleer Sings Christmas” (Warner Classics); and two Best Immersive Album nominations, Alicia Keys “Alicia” (RCA) for the 64th Grammys; and US Army Field Band “Soundtrack of the American Soldier” (Navona Records) for the 63rd Grammys. Both 63rd and 64th immersive awards are being given this year. The 64th Grammy Awards will be presented on CBS, on April 3rd.
Read More »Focal Releases ‘Alpha 80 Evo’ & ‘Alpha Twin Evo’ monitors, ‘Sub One’ Subwoofer
Two new affordable powered studio monitors and subwoofer are released to complete the Alpha Evo lineup, designed for musicians, composers, and engineers
Focal has announced that it is shipping three new studio products, the Alpha 80 Evo and Alpha Twin Evo powered monitors, and the Sub One subwoofer. Focal completes its Alpha Evo line with these new monitors combined with the 2021 release of the Alpha 50 Evo and Alpha 65 Evo and introduces a brand-new subwoofer to match the line: Sub One. The Sub One pairs seamlessly with both the Alpha Evo and Shape monitor lines. The Alpha Evo line and Sub One are a perfect match for musicians, composers, and engineers. With new features and technologies as well as a fresh design, the Alpha Evo line delivers unrivaled performance at an affordable price point, enhancing the French brand’s position as a benchmark for professional studios. The three new Focal products will be available for orders through retailers in the US and Canada in February 2022, and have suggested retail prices of Alpha 80 Evo $549. USD each ($1098 a pair), Alpha Twin Evo $659. USD each ($1318 a pair), and Sub One $999. USD each.
Read More »Focal Releases Two New “Alpha Evo” Monitors
New affordable Focal monitors offer 5-inch and 6.5-inch drivers
Focal has announced that it is shipping the new Alpha Evo monitors, Alpha 50 Evo, and Alpha 65 Evo. These replace the current Focal Alpha 50 and 65 models in that range, while the current Alpha 80 are still available. The two new Focal Alpha Evo products are available at retailers in the US and Canada on March 25, 2021, and have suggested retail prices of Alpha 50 Evo $349. USD each, and Alpha 65 Evo $449. USD each.
CEntrance “DACport Pro” Connects Laptops to Mixers
Portable USB DAC with XLR outputs delivers consistent playback on any sound system
CEntrance is now shipping DACport Pro™, a portable D/A converter, headphone amplifier, and monitor controller for audio professionals. With the DACport Pro, CEntrance built on the success of its DACport HD, which was designed for HiFi enthusiasts and featured on Stereophile magazine’s recommended component list for many years. The professional version of the acclaimed portable DAC adds balanced XLR output jacks, a large monitor volume control knob, and LED VU meters. The new product offers HiFi sound quality to the professional audio community and underscores the company’s focus on both user groups. The new CEntrance DACport Pro is shipping now and retails for $369.99 USD.
Focal Releases “Clear Mg Professional” Headphones
New updated model of popular Focal headphone now uses magnesium cone for even greater dynamics
Montreal, Canada — Focal has announced that it is shipping the new Focal Clear Mg Professional headphones (“Clear Magnesium Professional”), a new model of their popular Clear Professional headphones but with the addition of a magnesium (Mg) cone for even greater dynamics with a remarkable tonal balance across the full audio spectrum. The new product is available at retailers in the US and Canada on February 16, 2021, and has a suggested retail price of $1,490. USD.