Neumann KM184 VS Lauten Audio LA-120 | Is it Worth the cost difference?

True comparison between Neumann KM184 and Lauten Audio LA-120
For Recoding, Mixing & Mastering inquiries email:
[e-mail]
For Zoom Consultations email:
[e-mail]
Heartbeat Productions:
Instagram: / heartbeatproductionsst...
Facebook: / heartbeatproductionsst...
Website: www.heartbeatproductions.org/
Work Samples: open.spotify.com/playlist/4jP...
Audio Samples for This Video:
www.dropbox.com/scl/fo/bi9xal...

[@legacyShredder1]

I own multiple pairs of each. In my experience the Lauten's come to life when using the high and low pass options. The LA 120's can get a ribbon like effect with the subdued high end when using them on bright sources with the high cut engaged. I definitely love all of my Neumann mics, but I love Lauten too. Typically I use these two different pairs of mics in very different ways. Having said all of that, I wouldn't choose either of these microphones on an upright piano with most players, because SDC's do have a naturally higher noise floor and they capture transients so accurately they can make some pianists sound brittle. A 1 inch or bigger LDC tends to be quieter and more forgiving on the tracking side, in my opinion that is. Your piano sounds great with the KM 184's though.

[@OneRiverMedia]

Thanks for the comparison test and downloadable files. I own matched KM184’s and have been looking into the 120’s as a low-cost addition, but wow, that noise floor is making me re-think. Especially since I’ll be using them in orchestras with wide dynamic range (it’s the quiet parts of the music that will have me concerned). Did you ever get a chance to try another 120 pair? Also wondering if the 120’s built-in low-pass switch will omit that noise floor without reducing the highs of the orchestra strings too much. Apparently these 120’s are inherently slightly bright (although that didn’t come across to me in your recording), so the low-pass might help the orchestra strings anyway.

[@G5Hohn]

I was confused by the clips because I couldn't figure out why the Neumann sounded better when the tones where so similar. But your explanation is exactly right- it's the noise. This shows up as transient response to my ears-- the quieter Neumanns seem to have better transients, clearer attack without any harshness.

[@fadygergis]

Yeh it’s insane. I honestly think something was wrong with the Lauren mics. That’s not normal to have that much floor noise.

[@G5Hohn]

@@fadygergis if it’s audible to us through YT compression codec, I can’t imagine how striking it was to you listening to sources directly.

[@fadygergis]

@G5Hohn in the description I left a link to the raw uncompressed audio files. For people who wanna judge it without the KZbin compression.

[@imslicc]

honestly, i think neumanns are more compressed, which means it sounds more "produced". seems like the transients are being shaped off.

[@neilanderson9151]

Just to confirm, what capsules did you use on the LA-120? I’d assume you used the cardioid, but had to ask, due to the room noise, if it was Omni

[@fadygergis]

It was the cardioid. Honestly, it was confusing for me. I literally had to double check a couple times because of the amount of the noise it was weird, which made me feel like maybe the mic was defective.

[@neilanderson9151]

​@@fadygergis Yeah that's really weird, especially if they were both noisy in the same way. Another thought is, Maybe they accidentally labeled the omni's as Cardioids? This would potentially explain them both sounding like omni. You do an off-axis test for this to see if it rejects from the side, and you'd know for sure it's actually card

[@fadygergis]

there were no compression at all and both are passing through the same Mic Pre with exact matching settings. Also if it was mislabeled capsule It would also sound different like omni will sound significantly different than cardioid. I believe this capsule is cardioid because it sounds like a cardioid should sound like but with more floor noise. @@neilanderson9151

[@neilanderson9151]

@@fadygergisRight on. FYI, a review i saw mentioned they have a higher self noise. However some of the demos i heard were very quiet. The mystery continues ! :)