The LCT 1040 from Lewitt is a premium microphone system that provides four different tube characteristics, allowing instrumental and vocal recordings to be enhanced with precisely the right characteristic for an individual, authentic tone. What is more, the LCT 1040's FET circuitry provides a crystal-clear sound that allows the signal to be stagelessly blended for more punch or precision. The microphone can also be set to different polar patterns, between which the transition can be made seamlessly. The system comprises a large-diaphragm condenser microphone with a power supply unit and a detachable remote controller. The latter can be used to adjust the sound of the microphone from the mixing room while the microphone is being used in the tracking room.
The different characteristics that this system has on offer allow the full range of expression to be brought out in every voice and every instrument. In "Clear" mode, the tube can operate to its optimum capacity, while the "Warm" mode provides a smooth and pleasing high end. "Dark" mode attenuates the high frequencies when recording bright-sounding sources, and the "Saturated" mode lends a subtle compression to the harmonics. The system's frequency response is largely linear: From 4 kHz, a frequency boost of up to 5 dB can be expected, which gives the microphone its clear-sounding treble frequencies. The higher the frequency, the more directed the recording will be. However, the polar pattern selection feature means that ambient noises can be effectively suppressed.
The large-diaphragm condenser microphone delivers a very low-noise sound with clear definition in the high end. The microphone's self-noise is an impressive 10 dB(A) for the FET circuit and 13 dB(A) for the tube, and its sensitivity is 17.2 mV/Pa. The microphone system has a dynamic range of 127 dB(A), which means that even soft whispers can be recorded effectively. Its wide frequency response of 20 Hz to 20 kHz also means that sources with a lot of low end (e.g. the toms in a drumkit) can be recorded. At the heart of the condenser microphone is a gold-sputtered capsule with a diameter of 25.4 mm, which is installed in a robust, zinc diecast housing, and the mic is connected to the power supply using a 10-pin Hirose Electric cable with Neutrik connectors.
Thanks to its wide selection of analogue tonal characteristics and compact dimensions, the LCT 1040 microphone system - which was developed in collaboration with world-renowned engineers and producers - has already found use in professional recording studios around the world. This system will prove its value when you want to record multiple singers with different vocal ranges or a variety of different instruments with a single microphone and is thus able to cover a wide range of requirements in any recording application, eliminating the need for a second microphone in the studio - unless you want to record in stereo, of course. The scope of delivery also includes useful accessories to aid the recording process: A shock mount to acoustically decouple the microphone, a dual-layer magnetic pop filter, a microphone clip, and a robust transport case.
Founded in Vienna in 2010, the midsize Austrian company Lewitt describes itself as the world's fastest-growing microphone brand, and indeed Lewitt has quickly made a name for itself among producers. The reason: The firm has a passionate team that produces remarkably transparent-sounding condenser microphones with low self-noise. Development takes place in Austria, but by producing the microphones in China, among other factors, Lewitt can offer its high-quality products at extremely low prices.
The LCT 1040 provides four different tonal characteristics from the tube - Clear, Warm, Dark, and Saturated - which can be selected directly on the power supply unit or via the remote controller, thus allowing a flexible workflow. The signal can be fine-tuned even further using four low-cut filters and four attentuation settings, which are available via the two dedicated rotary controls. The two large rotary controls can be used to seamlessly blend the FET and tube circuits and to transition between the different polar patterns, respectively. The latter range from omnidirectional to bi-directional and can also be reversed using the corresponding switch. The rear side of the microphone features a "Mix" output for the combined tube/FET signal and a "FET" output for the pure FET signal. This means that both signals can be recorded simultaneously and you can decide afterwards which sound you prefer.