Nordic Audio Labs began as a spark of inspiration nearly 30 years ago, when our Head Designer and CEO, Martin Kantola, built his very first microphones. From the outset, his personal 1953 Neumann U47 served as both a reference and a source of inspiration, embodying the unique ability of the great classic tube microphones to capture not just sound, but emotion.
After decades of building microphones at the highest level using traditional ingredients — tubes, transformers, and capsules inspired by classic Neumann designs — Martin set out on a new path.
In 2019, he developed an entirely original capsule design from the ground up. Guided first and foremost by his ears, much like Georg Neumann himself, he worked through countless iterations, often creating a new version every day. Unlike most condenser capsules available today, this design was not rooted in the classic German approach, but instead followed its own direction.
The journey continued with the development of proprietary circuitry that emulates the sonic character of tubes, replacing traditional tubes and transformers with designs built from readily available modern components. The result is a new generation of microphones that retain the emotional voice and musicality of the classic tube microphones while embracing modern reliability and accessibility.
For much of this journey, Martin worked alone, relentlessly pursuing his vision. In 2019, the mission grew into a family endeavor when his wife left her career as a classical violinist to join the quest. Today, Nordic Audio Labs is a team of eight dedicated individuals across several countries, united by a passion for creating exceptional tools for recording artists and engineers around the world. Boutique microphones, handcrafted in Finland, blending timeless craftsmanship with leading-edge innovation, capturing not just the sound, but the soul of every performance.
After decades of building microphones at the highest level using traditional ingredients — tubes, transformers, and capsules inspired by classic Neumann designs — Martin set out on a new path.
In 2019, he developed an entirely original capsule design from the ground up. Guided first and foremost by his ears, much like Georg Neumann himself, he worked through countless iterations, often creating a new version every day. Unlike most condenser capsules available today, this design was not rooted in the classic German approach, but instead followed its own direction.
The journey continued with the development of proprietary circuitry that emulates the sonic character of tubes, replacing traditional tubes and transformers with designs built from readily available modern components. The result is a new generation of microphones that retain the emotional voice and musicality of the classic tube microphones while embracing modern reliability and accessibility.
For much of this journey, Martin worked alone, relentlessly pursuing his vision. In 2019, the mission grew into a family endeavor when his wife left her career as a classical violinist to join the quest. Today, Nordic Audio Labs is a team of eight dedicated individuals across several countries, united by a passion for creating exceptional tools for recording artists and engineers around the world. Boutique microphones, handcrafted in Finland, blending timeless craftsmanship with leading-edge innovation, capturing not just the sound, but the soul of every performance.
