Nordic Audio Labs
Nordic Audio Labs started as a seed of inspiration about 30 years ago, when Martin Kantola, our Head Designer and CEO, started building his first microphones. From the beginning the inspiration was his personal 1953 Neumann U47 and in a more general sense the great, classic tube microphones’ ability to capture emotion into a recording.
In 2019, after building microphones for many years at the highest level using the conventional ingredients, tubes and transformers and capsules based on classic designs from Neumann, Martin developed his own capsule design from the ground up. By ear first, just like Georg Neumann back in the day. Trial and error, one capsule after the other, at the rate of a new version a day. And in contrast to most other condenser capsules out there today, it is not at all based on the classic German designs. But instead walking a different path. Next, the tubes and transformers were replaced by proprietary circuit designs emulating the sonic behaviour of tubes, so today we are able to offer microphones that can be built with easily available modern parts. Yet that still speak with an emotional voice like the old classic tube microphones. A new path through the forest.
For much of this journey it was Martin on his own, pushing along, chasing his vision, until the mission also engulfed his family, his wife also giving up her job as a classical violinist in 2019 to join the microphone building quest. Today we are a team of 7 dedicated individuals, spread across several countries, excited to offer these beautiful tools to recording artists and engineers across the world.
Boutique microphones, hand made in Finland, blending timeless craftsmanship with leading edge innovation. Capturing not just the sound, but the soul of every performance.
