Zonder Moves to Lauten Audio Mics

03.09.2009

Hollywood, CA (March 9, 2009)--Veteran drummer and studio owner Mark Zonder is loading up on Lauten Audio microphones. An industry veteran with album credits dating back to the early 1980s L.A. metal scene, Zonder owns Bill's Place, a recording and rehearsal studio in North Hollywood.

Zonder first earned a name in the band Warlord, which some metal veterans refer to as legendary and ahead of its time. He later joined Fates Warning, considered one of the most influential contributors to the progressive metal genre. Zonder spent almost 15 years with Fates Warning before departing to start his own band Slavior in 2006. He contributed to numerous side projects, including Kevin Moore, Chroma Key, the Jim Matheos solo project Away with Words, a solo album of Joacim Cans from Hammerfall, and a reunion with Warlord, among others. In 2007, Zonder released a new full length album on the Inside Out Music label for his band, Slavior.

"I was first introduced to Lauten microphones by the guys over at Summit Audio,” he says. “Having loved their gear for many years, I asked if they could recommend a few microphones, unaware they were representing Lauten microphones. So, they sent down a couple Horizons. They sounded amazing on my drums as overheads and room mics." Since then, Zonder has added two sets of Torches and an Oceanus as a vocal mic. "I really dig the small diaphragm Torches, and the ability to use tube mics on my drums is amazing," Zonder added. "After a couple of positioning tips from Lauten, my toms sound huge! For a large portion of my drum sound, I have officially switched from some really big names to the 'Lauten sound.' This company is really making some special mics."

In recent months, Zonder has been holding a large number of drum clinics throughout California at musical instrument dealers, as well as at the Musicians Institute. "I am really lucky to have been able to stay in the industry all this time," Zonder says of his 30-plus-year career behind a drum kit. "Getting the opportunity to pass on my knowledge and skills to a new generation is really an honor."

Zonder has been taking his Lauten microphones on the road with him for the clinics. "I called Lauten and spoke to [owner] Brian Loudenslager about the mics' ability to handle the road; he said it's not the first time he's heard of someone taking them out. He said as long as I can deal with the power supplies, the Torches and Horizons should do fine, but recommended keeping the Oceanus in my studio."

Lauten Audio
www.lautenaudio.com

Mark Zonder
www.markzonder.com