While the word “microphone” wasn’t used until the 19th century, English physicist and inventor Robert Hooke is credited with developing an acoustic cup and string style phone and is considered a pioneer in the field of transmitting sound across distances.
In 1827 Sir Charles Wheatstone -1802 to 1875, (rt) was the first person to coin the phrase "microphone." A renowned English physicist and inventor, Wheatstone is best known for inventing the telegraph. His interests were varied, and he devoted some of his time the study of acoustics during the 1820s. Wheatstone was among the first scientists to formally recognize that sound was "transmitted by waves through mediums." This knowledge led him to explore ways of transmitting sounds from one place to another, even over long distances. He worked on a device that could amplify weak sounds, which he called a microphone. Wheatstone devised a simple instrument for augmenting feeble sounds, to which he gave the name of 'Microphone.' It consisted of two slender rods, which conveyed the mechanical vibrations to both ears, and is quite different from the electrical microphone of Professor Hughes.
The first microphone that enabled proper voice telephony was the (loose-contact) carbon microphone. This was independently developed by David Edward Hughes in England and Emile Berliner and Thomas Edison in the US. Although Edison was awarded the first patent (after a long legal dispute) in mid-1877, Hughes had demonstrated his working device in front of many witnesses some years earlier, and most
historians credit him with its invention. The carbon microphone is the direct prototype of today's microphones and was critical in the development of telephony, broadcasting and the recording industries. Thomas Edison refined the carbon microphone into his carbon-button transmitter of 1886. This microphone was employed at the first ever radio broadcast, a performance at the New York Metropolitan Opera House in 1910.
Also in 1923, the ribbon microphone was introduced, another electromagnetic type, believed to have been developed by Harry F. Olson, who essentially reverse-engineered a ribbon speaker. Over the years these microphones were developed by several companies, most notably RCA that made large advancements in pattern control, to give the microphone directionality. With television and film technology booming there was a demand for high fidelity microphones and greater directionality. Electro-Voice responded with their Academy Award-winning shotgun microphone in 1963.
During the second half of 20th-century development advanced quickly with the Shure Brothers bringing out the SM58 and SM57.The latest research developments include the use of fibre optics, lasers and interferometers.
Akai Terecorder microphone
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AKG D224E Microphone
  
Go to more about AKG |
Altec
639A Microphone
 
 
Ads: 1948 Arthur Godfrey 1950 1951 1952 1953 1955 1968
See also a beautiful Altec 639 with Voice of America flag provided by Ron Hummel |
Altec
633C Microphone 1950 ad 1953 ad
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Altec
677B Microphone
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Altec
1592B Microphone mixer
click
on pictures for larger view
 
 
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American Microphone D4T
1941 View catalog listing
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American Microphone D22
1950 Review 1950 ad
'54 ad
 
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Amperite Velocity Microphone
1941 catalog listing
(NLIC)
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Ampex H01390 matched mic pair (EV 623)
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Ampex AM-10 mixer
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Argonne
AR-309 Microphone
Astatic
D104
1942 catalog listing
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Astatic
DR-10 Microphone $39.95 1950 ad 1951 ad
'54
catalog listing DR-11
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Astatic
77A Microphone $82.50
1964 Astatic microphone catalog
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Audio Technica 4033a Microphone
Microphones in the Museum of Magnetic Sound Recording
Calrad VN-12, Sony C37, AudioTechnica 4033, RCA Varacoustic, RCA Aeropressure, RCA D77, ElectroVoice 66.
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Audio Technica AT818 Microphone
Bell and Howell Microphone
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Bogen MXM microphone mixer - $144.96 1966 ad
Bogen MXM in Phantom studio 1965
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Brush BA 106 microphone that came with many of the Brush reel tape recorders. This particular microphone belonged to an operatic voice instructor in San Francisco.
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Calrad
500C Microphone ($4.95 new)
We
had this microphone in our early years (1964-66). It sold for
$4.95 and now averages $125 in auctions. Amazing!
Here's a few Calrad spotting's!
'58
catalog listing
'59
catalog listing
'62
catalog listing $5.85
'65
BA catalog listing
'65
McGee catalog listing $4.95
'67 Burstein Applebee catalog listing
'67
Radio Shack catalog listing $4.95
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Calrad
DM-15 Microphone
'62
catalog listing $9.85
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Calrad
DM-21 Microphone
'65
McGee catalog listing $14.95
'67
Radio Shack catalog listing $19.95
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Calrad DM 16H/Lafayette Microphone
'62
catalog listing $13.95
'67
Radio Shack catalog listing $12.95
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Calrad Velocity VM--12 ribbon microphone
 
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Concertone 800M Microphone that came with the Concertone 800 series reel tape recorders
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Edison
Voicewriter Dictating Microphone - 1937
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Electro
Voice V1 Microphone
1936 EV V 2 and V 3 Allied catalog
1939 Allied Radio catalog 1940 Allied catalog
1941 Allied catalog 1942 Allied catalog
1942 Lafayette catalog 1943 Allied catalog
1948 Allied catalog 1948 BA catalog
1949 Lafayette catalog
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Electro
Voice Mercury 611 Microphone
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Electro
Voice 623 Microphone $57.00 1956
'56 ad
'57 ad
'64
catalog listing $33.52
'65
catalog listing $33.52
'67
brochure
 |
Electro
Voice 630 Microphone $52.50
1942 catalog listing $17.64
'55 ad for 635
'61
catalog listing $30.87
'64
catalog listing $30.87
'65
catalog listing $32.50
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Electro
Voice 631 Microphone
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Electro
Voice 635 A/B Microphone $49.20 1966 review '65 ad
1969 ad
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Electro
Voice 636 Microphone
(Slimair)
'61
catalog listing $42.63
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Electro
Voice 640 Microphone
'41
catalog listing
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Electro
Voice 644 Microphone (chrome & gray) $110
'60
ad (when new) '61
brochure '67
brochure
'61
catalog listing $64.68 '64
catalog listing $64.68 '64 review
'65
catalog listing $64.68 '66
catalog listing
Electro
Voice 644 Microphone (chrome)$110
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Electro
Voice 647A Microphone
'61
catalog listing $48.51
'66
catalog listing
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Electro Voice 648 Microphone EV spec pdf 1953
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Electro Voice 654 Microphone 1953 $57 ad spec sheet
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Electro Voice 661 Microphone
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Electro Voice 664 Microphone - RCA SK-1001
 
RCA SK-1001 with the gray EV 664 and an EV 665
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Electro Voice 664 Microphone (chrome) 1953 $79.50
1953 ad
'57 Ad #1 '57 Ad #2 '57 Ad #3
'61 catalog listing $49.98 '61 ad '63 ad
'64 catalog listing $49.98 '64 ad
'65 catalog listing $49.98 '66 ad
'66 catalog listing '67 brochure
'69 Olson catalog listing $53.40
Electro Voice 664 (unique in that's it's brand new in original box)
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Electro Voice 664 Microphone (gray)
'57 Ad #1 '57 Ad #2 '57 Ad #3
'61 catalog listing $49.98 '63 ad
'64 catalog listing $49.98 '64 ad
'65 catalog listing $49.98 '66 ad
'66 catalog listing '67 brochure
'69 Olson catalog listing $53.40
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Electro Voice 665 Microphone '59 ad
'61 catalog listing $88.2
'66 catalog listing
'67 brochure
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Electro Voice 666 Microphone $288 1953 ($245)
We have an early version of the EV666 and 1 newer one.
specifications 1 2
1953 ad 1 • 1953 ad 2 •
1953 ad 3 • 1953 review '59 ad
'61 catalog listing $149.94 '64 catalog listing $149.94
'65 catalog listing $149.94 '66 catalog listing
'66 ad#1 '66 ad #2 '67 brochure
click on pictures for larger view
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Electro Voice 676 Microphone $58.80
'63 ad '65 ad '65 catalog listing $58.80
'66 catalog listing '67 Ad '67 brochure
'69 Olson catalog listing $53.40
Electro Voice 715 Microphone
This EV 715 came with the Magnecord M30/M33 reel tape recorder
Electro Voice 725 Microphone
EV 725 with American D22
Rauland-Borg 1248 BL Microphone
probably made by Electro Voice as similar to their Cardyne series
(1948 EV catalog listing) 1949 ad
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Electro
Voice 911 Microphone $19.11
'49
catalog listing 1956 ad $32.50
'61
catalog listing '66
catalog listing '67
brochure
Electro
Voice 950 Microphone $47.50 1956
'48
catalog listing
'56 ad
Neumann U48 microphone
Restored pair of original sequential serial numbered Neumann U48 mics and purchased new German Leo Schaal power supplies and accessories.
 
 click to view the brochure
 
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Neumann U87 Microphone - 1967 to 1986 - $1,300 - company info
Operating instructions Brochure
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Neumann U87 Microphone
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Norelco Stereo Microphone EL375201
'62
catalog listing $199.50
'65
AD
'65
catalog listing Norelco 301
Review
1 Review 2
"Continental" '60
ad
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Pentron
Microphone Mixer
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Rauland-Borg 1248 BL Microphone
probably made by Electro Voice as similar to their Cardyne series (1948 EV catalog listing)
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RCA
Aeropressure Microphone 1939 ad
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RCA MI-6204-C Microphone 1945 Varacoustic Microphone $67.50
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RCA Junior Velocity 74B Microphone 1940 $43.50
 
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RCA 77DX Microphone 1954 to 1960 $260 new '54 ad
Brochure 1 2 Specs
 
'63 ad '69 ad Manual
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RCA
Microphone Mixer BN16A
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Realistic (Radio Shack) 33-989 Microphone
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Reslo Microphone 1954 $89.95
'54 ad '56 ad
'59
Reslo ad
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ReVox M3400 microphone
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Rheem/Califone/Roberts microphones
These microphone are labelled "Rheem" and came with a Rheem Califone reel tape recorder. They were also sold with the Roberts brand tape recorders.
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Sennheiser
MD-412 Microphone
 
 
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Sennheiser
MD-421 U-5 Microphone $95 1960 info
'63 ad '64 ad '68 ad '73 ad
'77 ad '80 ad '85 ad '90 ad
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Shure
3A Microphone (1937)
The only early "3" Shure lists in its discontinued models is the 3B from 1937. The 3A must have been the first. Interesting that there is no documentation for the 3A on the Shure site.
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Shure
508 Microphone (1941)
Shure data sheet
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Shure
300 Microphone 1952 $75 Shure data sheet
1952 First Shure ribbon microphone, Model 300
This is an interesting mic. It is a Shure 300 and has the Shure emblem, however is labeled by Stromberg Carlson as a Model MG 58.
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Shure
315 Microphone 1952 $75
View
Shure's data 1952 ad 1953 ad '57 ad
 
1982 Shure 300 in catalog
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Shure
330 Microphone 1957
View
Shure's data 1957 Shure data 1981
1982 Shure 330 in catalog 1954
Shure 300 ad
more info 1968 review '82 info
1954
Shure 300 ad
1956 ad 333
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Shure
51 Microphone (47
-76)
View
Shure's data 1952 ad
1949
catalog listing
1952
catalog listing 1953 ad
'55
ad '57 ad
'61
catalog listing $29.11
'65
catalog listing $29.10
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Shure 515SB Unidyne B Microphone
View
Shure's data
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Shure
516 EQ Microphone (77
-83)
One
of Phantom's original recording microphones
View
Shure's data
'78
ad '79
ad '79 ad #2
 
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Shure
55 C Microphone (1939 - 1946) $69.50
View Shure's
data
Story 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12
View:
1940 catalog listing 1942 catalog listing
1943 catalog listing 1946
catalog listing
1947
catalog listing 1949
catalog listing
1950 ad 1951
ad 1952
catalog listing
'57
ad - for later version '59 '60
ad
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Shure
556B Microphone (42
-46)
View
Shure's data
'42
catalog listing
'49
catalog listing
'52
catalog listing
Recent
starring roles our microphones
May
2004 - Golf Digest
 
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Shure
556 Microphone (51
- 81) $110
View
Shure's data
'61
catalog listing $79.38
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Shure
55 Microphone 1951 Shure Data $79.50
'54 ad '57 ad '59 ad
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Shure
737 Microphone 1948 $39.75
View
Shure's data
1948 ad 1950 ad 1951 ad '57 ad
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Shure SM 48 Microphone
View
Shure's data
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Shure PE56 Microphone 1976
View
Shure's data
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Shure/Sony Pro Microphone Mixer
Made by Shure
'71 Shure mixer ad
'72 Shure mixer ad
'80 Shure mixer ad
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Sony C37P Microphone 1960's to 1970's
95,000 yen = $1,220
 
Sony C37P Brochure
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9
The more famous microphone from Sony is the C37A. We have received phoos from two sources with detail about the Sony C37A.
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MOMSR has a new addition to our microphone collection. The Sony C37A and its C17B power supply. Saw this originally in 1964, however passed it up for the Shure 556s. The Sony C37A was $295 at the time. In its day, the microphone was favored by Frank Sinatra and other musicians.
 
From Performer magazine
FLASHBACK: 1950s Sony C-37A Microphone
by Andrew Boullianne | Sep 19, 2017 | Best Studio Mics
"Sony engineers created this microphone in the early 1950s. At first, it was used to record symphonies and quickly became a sought after vocal mic. Neumann’s studio microphones reportedly inspired the C-37a.
HOW IT WAS USED
The C-37a is a multi-pattern tube condenser microphone, first released in the U.S. in 1958. It was and still is used in many applications. Vocals were number one, but it sounds excellent on upright bass, horns, and strings. Some people even like to use it on banjo.
INTERESTING FEATURES
One very interesting characteristic about this mic is its power supply. The early version of the C-37 boasted a CP-2 power supply. On the unit were three different settings: M1, M2, and V. M1 is a flat response, M2 is a roll off of 3dB at 85Hz, and V is a roll off of 3 dB at 220Hz. This can be very useful when tracking certain instruments.
PROMINENT RECORDINGS
The Sony C-37a was used on many Frank Sinatra recordings. It was used for his vocals and for the string accompaniment. It was also used on James Bay’s vocals for the album Chaos And The Calm.
LESSONS LEARNED
Today’s engineers can learn a lot about how to utilize tube microphones on modern-day recordings and also the use of different polar patterns.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Andrew Boullianne is a studio manager and a full-time engineer. He loves long walks on the beach and creating music. Check out thelalamansion.com to see the studio that he works in.
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Sony CR-4 wireless microphone
$250 1960 ad Manual Specs '60 ad
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Sony
Electret Condenser ECM-22 Microphone
Sony F99S microphone
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Sony
F-81 Microphone 1962 $29.50 Mikes
'62
ad
Sony
Catalog Listing
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Sony
F-87 Microphone Mikes (pair)
'62
ad
Sony
Catalog Listing
Sony 300 microphone
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Sony
F-96 Microphones
'62
ad
Sony
Catalog Listing
Sony F96
1964 ad
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Sony
MX 6S microphone mixer 1964 $29.95
1964 Sony brochure
Sony
Catalog Listing
'66
catalog listing $27.75 1976 catalog $39.95
Sony
MX-8 microphone mixer 1975
Sony
MX-12 microphone mixer 1970
 
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Sony
MX-16 Microphone mixer 1972
 
interesting installation of this mixer
 
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Sony
MX-777 microphone mixer 1963 $175
Info
Sony
Ad #1 Sony Ad #2
'63
Catalog Listing
Specifications #1 #2
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Tandberg Microphone
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Tandberg Microphone TM-4
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Teac
Model 2 & MB20 meter bridge 1975
Teac
spec sheet '75
catalog listing '75 ad
'76
catalog listing '77
catalog listing
'80 ad '80 ad #2
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Teac
Model 5A microphone mixer 1975 $1,499.50
'75 ad specs 1978 $1,720 '79
ad
Teac
Model 1 Microphone Mixer 1976 - 1978 $150
specs
'79
ad '81 ad
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Teac
ME-120 microphone
In
1977 we bought the Teac 3340, the 3300 2T, 2 ME-120 microphones, the
model 2 mixer and MB-20 meter bridge. What a great on-location
set-up.
'75
Teac brochure
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Telmar/Martel microphone
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Turner
22X Microphone 1949 ad $20
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Turner
211 Microphone
'45
catalog listing
|
Turner
250 Microphone
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Turner
Spring 1920's Microphone
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Turner
S33D Microphone 1949 ad
Turner
catalog page 1
Turner
catalog page 2
Turner
catalog page 3
'45
catalog listing
'64
catalog listing
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Turner
99 Microphone
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Turner
SE13 Microphone 1982
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Uher M 512 microphone
Uher 5000 41B spy microphone in briefcase
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Ultra-Mike Microphone (1947-1949)
'47
catalog listing 1947 Lafayette catalog
'48
catalog listing
'49
catalog listing
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Webster Chicago Spring Microphone #1231 1920's
View 1931 and 1935 patents
 
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Webster Chicago microphone that came with the Webster wire recorders
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Webcor microphone that came with the Webcor Squire tape recorder 1964
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WilcoxGay microphone
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In 1916, E.C. Wente of Western Electric developed the next breakthrough with the first condenser microphone. In 1923, the first practical moving coil microphone was built. The Marconi-Sykes magnetophone,developed by Captain H. J. Round, became the standard for BBC studios in London. This was improved in 1930 by Alan Blumlein and Herbert Holman who released the HB1A and was the best standard of the day.
