Studio Projects LSM
Cardioid Condenser Microphone
The LSM, or Little Square Mic, is a large-diaphragm condenser in a very small form factor. It has both USB and analog outputs. It was designed by Brent Casey as an entry-level condenser mic, in that it can be plugged directly into a computer, bypassing the need for a preamp.
(See the sidebar link to an interview with Brent Casey about the genesis of the LSM.)
The 34mm capsule is a true condenser (not electret). It uses a K67-style backplate and has a single 27mm diaphragm made of gold-sputtered 6-micron Mylar.
The rear of the mic has a mini XLR-3M jack as well as a mini USB jack, providing both analog and digital outputs.
Because the USB and XLR jacks are on the rear of the mic body, rather than the bottom, the microphone can stand on a desktop without additional hardware. The yoke mount folds back, making an effective desktop stand.
The onboard ADC outputs 16-bit, 48 kHz audio.
The mic was first announced at Winter NAMM, in January 2010. It will be available in multiple colors, and possibly with custom designs such as indicated by prototypes painted as R2-D2 and what appears to be the designer’s self-portrait.


The mic ships with a USB cable, an XLR cable, and a printed owner’s manual.
We tested the LSM extensively in our $200 Condenser Shootout, which tested 9 microphones on 4 sources: sung vocals, guitar, VO/podcasting, and drum overheads. The LSM was one of the top two picks overall.
Permalink: Studio Projects LSM
The mic was released in 2010.
Specifications
Frequency Response - CardioidClick Graph to Compare! |
---|
![]() |
Pickup Patterns | Pads & Filters |
---|---|
Cardioid
(25 mV/Pa; 20 - 20,000 Hz) |
|
Capsule Dimensions | Impedance | SPL/Noise |
---|---|---|
Diaphragm diameter: 27mm Capsule diameter: 34mm Diaphragm gauge: 6 microns |
150 Ohms (Low) | Max SPL: 132 dB Self-noise: 16.0 dB(A) |
Weight | Length | Max Diameter | Interface(s) |
---|---|---|---|
n/a | n/a | n/a |
|
Power Specifications |
---|
|
Did we get anything wrong on this page? Please let us know!