Lauten Audio LS-208 vs The “Overrated” Shure SM7B | Female Vocal Demo

In this video, I delve into the specifics of the Lauten Audio LS-208 and the Shure SM7B microphones. I test their noise rejection capabilities and compare their performance using a female vocal demo.
The goal is to provide you with comprehensive insights to help you make an informed decision on which microphone may better suit your needs.
Special thanks to Austin from ​⁠‪@MakePopMusic‬ for his insightful demonstration and for inspiring me to explore these microphones further. Enjoy this immersive sound journey and we hope it aids you in your microphone search!
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Some product links are affiliate links which means if you buy something we'll receive a small commission.
Zoom H6 - amzn.to/3VAyeMz
Shure SM7B - amzn.to/3VuM6sF
Lauten Audio LS208 - amzn.to/4b09KBH
Lauten Audio Atlantis - amzn.to/4cbzMTF
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📝 Vocal Chain Notes:
LS208 Signal Chains Tested:
1. Audient Interface gain at 8.5
2. DBX 286s Preamp Gain at +30 to Audient Interface gain at 5
3. Zoom H6 gain at 6
Shure SM7B Signal Chain Tested:
1. DBX 286s Pramp Gain at +45 to Audient Interface gain at 5
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🕐 Timestamps:
0:00 Introduction
1:34 Lauten Audio LS-208 Features
4:30 Noise Rejection Demo (Outside)
4:44 Cons
6:10 Pros
7:06 LS-208 vs Shure SM7B
⭐This video was inspired by • The SM7B Is VERY Over-...
#Microphone #Reviews #Shure #LautenAudio

[@HarvinderSingh-yy8th]

Very good review of LS 208.

[@foursite]

You are doing well! Gained a sub.

[@breakawayartistsociety]

Much appreciated! Thanks!

[@officialWWM]

The SM7b is not “overrated”. It just needs to be used in the right situation. The LA is also an awesome mic. But here’s the thing, they can both be awesome :) Also, comparing a dynamic with a condenser is not comparing apples to apples.

[@dk6343]

You talking voice sounds very good with clarity and body

[@IzaiazBarrera]

I think we need live performance with both👍🏽😂

[@hopegabrielle3146]

The LS-208 sounds so good! It's warm and natural sounding, but without echo or muffled sounds even with the windscreen, and I love that it cancels out so much noise. In my opinion, it's a lot more clear than the Shure SM7B, which I was also considering. I'm wanting to record some singing vocals and wanted to get a condenser mic, but was concerned because I'm in an untreated room. Now I feel like I can without having to treat the space! As a complete newbie to setting up my own audio recording equipment, I was wondering if you had any recommendations for setting up the LS-208? Do I need a pre-amp? What audio interface are you using in this video?

[@breakawayartistsociety]

Hey I'm glad the video helped you! I do recommend still applying some room treatments that you can afford. I do have some wall panels and a mini couch behind me to absorb some of the sound. We have hardwood floors so the echo is soo horrible haha here is a video I did on my other channel giving a studio tour of this space kzbin.info/www/bejne/l4KodJeMpdatg6M As for the set up, I had the Lauten Audio connected to my Audient ID14 but the gain was literally cranked up all the way even with phantom power. I do have a mic pre-amp that I only used on the Shure SM7B because it's even more quieter. The mic-pre I have is fairly inexpensive and if you can find it used, it's called a dbx 286s. I got mine used on Amazon and I recommend using one or even a cloud-lifter of some sort just so you don't have to exhaust the gain on your interface. I hope that helps! Thanks for watching!

[@officialWWM]

This mic would be a great choice for you. In fact, your use case is probably what it was designed for. Any microphone needs a pre amp, however, any interface you buy will have at least 1 preamp in it, so you won’t need an external one. The reason producers use external preamps is simply for different tonal options. Home recording is great fun but it’s also a rabbit hole. Do lots of research and have lots of fun :)

[@Crysco.mp3]

I'm quite impressed with my current mic lineup, which includes industry heavyweights like the U87, Sony C100 and C80, along with some custom gems from JJ Audio like the Pitbull, Akita, and U77. Also in my collection are the LS208 and the SM7B, though my preferences have evolved over time. While the SM7B used to be my go-to dynamic mic, I've since switched to using the sE Electronics DynaCaster for its versatility and exceptional performance. The LS208 remains my quick pick for vocals due to its incredible clarity and ease of blending in a mix. Now, don't get me wrong; the SM7B has its merits. But if you're looking for a true SM7B alternative, look no further than the DynaCaster. Not only is it more affordable, but it also comes with a built-in cloud lifter, offers better noise shaping controls, and is constructed entirely from metal. And did I mention it's cheaper? Even though the SM7B had its heyday back in the 1990s, technology has caught up. These days, with just a dash of EQ in Totalmix, I can even make an SM57 sound indistinguishable from an SM7B. My 10-year-old son is now the proud owner of my old SM7B and cloudlifter, and he's absolutely loving it. So in the end, no mic goes to waste in our household!

[@breakawayartistsociety]

Thank you for sharing that! That's an impressive mic lineup forsure. I've only spent some time with mics like the U87 when renting studio time, but at least for my voice, I never really liked how my vocals sounded with that mic. I found it difficult to mix using that mic. For other artists, especially singers, it is amazing, haha Definitely going to check that microphone you mentioned!

[@dk6343]

The sm7b and the sm57 have the same capsule cartridge. Essentially, they are the same mics. With different frequency response ranges. Sm57 has more low end than the sm7b. The sm7b has more top end. Good bang for the money is a sm58beta

[@veracity91]

I love this video, thank you. I bought both LMAO ;)

[@breakawayartistsociety]

haha ay there you go, more power to ya!!

[@Slipsch]

Listening to this again, I realized how smooth your voice is with the SM7B, but if you're using it for singing, I think the Lauten will be better.

[@GiovanniDre]

so both mics went into cloudlifters and then what was next?? foucrite interface or apollo next for example? please explain the whole chain for both mics. any post processing? what kinda export settings, like at least 24, 48k i'm hoping. I would really appreciate if you can tell us.

[@breakawayartistsociety]

Hey sure thing, sorry if I wasn't clear on my settings, here are my chain notes. For the LS-208 I tested 3 different chains. Both mics are very quiet so I ran them through a DBX box mic preamp. That was my reference to using a "cloudlifter". I recorded at 48k 24bit. There was no vocal processing, this is just raw audio vocals. Test Notes: LS208 Signal Chains Tested: 1. LS208 to Audient Interface gain at 8.5 2. LS208 to DBX 286s Preamp (Gain at +30db) to Audient Interface (Gain at 5db) 3. LS208 to Zoom H6 (Gain at 6db) Shure SM7B Signal Chain Tested: 1. SM7B to DBX 286s Preamp (Gain at +45db) to Audient Interface (Gain at 5db) Hope that helps! 🎤✌️

[@tinychamberz]

I think the sm7b fits better bc it gives ur voice warmth. The Lauten sometimes gets too peaky and aggressive for my taste. Sm7b with EQ would be my choice.

[@dk6343]

What is your vocal chain audio interface etc?

[@breakawayartistsociety]

Hey sure thing, sorry if I wasn't clear on my settings, here are my chain notes. For the LS-208 I tested 3 different chains. Both mics are very quiet so I ran them through a DBX box mic preamp. That was my reference to using a "cloudlifter". I recorded at 48k 24bit. There was no vocal processing, this is just raw audio vocals. Test Notes: LS208 Signal Chains Tested: 1. LS208 to Audient Interface gain at 8.5 2. LS208 to DBX 286s Preamp (Gain at +30db) to Audient Interface (Gain at 5db) 3. LS208 to Zoom H6 (Gain at 6db) Shure SM7B Signal Chain Tested: 1. SM7B to DBX 286s Preamp (Gain at +45db) to Audient Interface (Gain at 5db) Hope that helps! 🎤✌️

[@SergiuTuhutziu]

LS-208 connected to cloudlifter??

[@breakawayartistsociety]

Actually, no cloudlifter was used for the LS-208. On the Zoom recorder (for the outside test), I probably had the gain set at 5-6 on the dial, and on my audio interface (the rest of the video), I had the gain pretty high little past 3 o'clock. The Shure SM7B required me to use a cloud lifter, and I still had to increase the gain on my interface to around 3 o'clock. Hope that helps! The Shure SM7B is definitely quieter than the LS-208.

[@airwolf1337]

I think your voice sounds better with the Lauten Audio LS-208. The sm7b makes it sound like its behind a curtain or something like that.

[@jazz_sport_news]

Very nice! I used sm58, and sm7b will be my next. Shure mics has a best price.

[@justyuriforever]

Mistake...

[@jazz_sport_news]

@@justyuriforever What's a mistake?

[@Slipsch]

SM7b just look so good on camera, I'm not a singer, so the LS-208 is not doing me any favors, because to the uninitiated (muggles if you will) will not be able to tell the difference between the audio quality of both. They probably view my content from an iPhone camera, so might as well have something nice on set (and SM7B is no slouch)

[@PeterPolgarSzidzse]

It's a condenser, SM7B is a dynamic. It's not a competitor. Shure is popular for a reason.

[@cassidyraebarrera]

Sounding a lil defensive over here lol

[@PeterPolgarSzidzse]

@@cassidyraebarrera Nope. These are 2 different kind of mic. LS-208 is really good too don’t get me wrong but.. twice the price and condenser :)

[@breakawayartistsociety]

Hey thanks for watching! The Shure is a lot smoother, no wonder why it's so popular! The LS-208 is a different alternative but it's always nice to hear options. Thanks for watching!

[@matthewg7069]

They are competitors. They serve the same purpose, I.E. to pick up audio. Whether it's using a condenser or dynamic capsule doesn't change that.