Rca 44 ribbon mic history book

Feb 28, 2016 1950s rca mi6203b varacoustic ribbon mic and collins 212y tube mic preamp and mixer sold. Kane started at rca after returning from the second world war. The rca type 44a velocity microphone here are four photos of an rca type 44a velocity mic with a deep bronze finish. Rca sk46 ribbon velocity microphone mike mic manual. The bidirectional pattern was useful for recording ensembles using both sides of the microphone for balance while preserving visual contact between musicians. A ribbon microphone, also known as a ribbon velocity microphone, is a type of microphone that uses a thin aluminum, duraluminum or nanofilm of electrically conductive ribbon placed between the poles of a magnet to produce a voltage by electromagnetic induction. Based in sierra madre, california, stan can be reached through his vintage microphones website, which is a member of our hall of fame. The 44 bx is a highfidelity bidirectional ribbon microphone designed for music recording and broadcast. The mic isnt meant for use outside of the recording studio unless as a prop and has an attached xlr cable as well as a swivel mount.

A ribbon microphone, also known as a ribbon velocity microphone, is a type of microphone that uses a thin aluminum, duraluminum or nanofilm. The story of the man behind the rca 44 and 77 ribbon microphones. Aea microphones r44cxe legacy ribbon microphone musician. This is the aea r44cx, the x version of the r44c, equipped with two additional magnets for a higher output. If i remember correctly at somepoint in the last 30 years i was told that that mic was not up to the standards to be used anymore. The type 44bx velocity microphones mi4027b, d, h, j and k are highfidelity microphones of the ribbon type that are specially designed for broadcast studio use. Rca 77dx ribbon mic from electraphonics mic collection. Excellent choice for most long ribbon chinese microphone models. Wes dooley, a specialist in ribbon mics of all kinds, began a project to restore availability of the rca 44.

Rca microphones are tried and true classics, from the very first production ribbon microphones in the world photophone type pb31 to the utterly ubiquitous 44 bx and 77dx that fill the mic lockers of all major recording and scoring studios. This instantly recognizable sound produces thunderous lows due to the strong proximity effect, full and rich midrange and a unique top end taking the edge off of harsh instruments. Black and silver radio finish with bright polished chrome grill, yoke and cushion mount. Additional information provided by wes dooley at aea indicates that the rca 44b bidirectional studio ribbon microphone was introduced in 1936. Diy ribbon microphone design operation principle overview. Rca victor 1933 velocity ribbon microphone booklet 44a ebay. The rca the standard of ribbon microphone rca restored by ben at silvia classics. The rca ribbon mic line wasand remainswellknown to the film industry. In studio use for more than 80 years, the 44 ribbon design by rca is as rich in history as it is in sound and character. Murrow speaks into the rca 44 ribbon mic during his cbs news broadcast.

All of the rca ribbon microphones that the pioneer broadcasters have for sale are in working condition. In use for more than 80 years in recording and broadcast studios throughout the world, the rca 44 ribbon design is as rich in history as it is in sound and character. Royer 121, mesanovic 2, aea r84, coles 4038 warren huart. Aea r44 series ribbon microphones aea ribbon mics and. Restomod mics shows off a customers rca 44 that they restomodded the mic had no internals at all when we got it. First introduced by rca in 1935 jazz music and jazz history. The 44bx is a highfidelity bidirectional ribbon microphone designed for music recording and broadcast. Again, as narrower is the ribbon, as more comlicated is the work. To increase the mics sensitivity, joly removes the wire mesh and pop filter that surround the ribbon, and adds material to dampen unwanted acoustic resonances within the body of. The rca type ku3a, also known as the 1, was a cardioid ribbon microphone developed and built in hollywood, ca for use in the motion picture industry.

Later, he set out to start enak microphone repair, and has quietly worked out of his pitman, new jersey, workshop for more than 50 years. The type 44 a was manufactured in 1932, and has a frequency response of 30 to 16,000 hertz. I started my website on vintage microphones in 2001, for a couple of reasons. The slightly larger 44b was introduced in about 1938. The type 44a was manufactured in 1932, and has a frequency response of 30 to 16,000 hertz. Vintage rca 44a ribbon microphone just serviced by clarence kane. This microphone was widely used in recording and pa applications during the swing era. They are constructed to withstand mechanical shocks, and to retain sensitivity and frequency response regardless of changes in temperature, humidity, and barometric pressure. Olson, rcas lifelong resident audio genius during the late 20s and early 30s, the 77a set the performance benchmarks for all rca ribbons to follow for the next four decades. The microphone we used the most back then and which was excellent was the rca 44 ribbon mic. This rca radio corporation of america 74b microphone, commonly referred to as the junior velocity has rapidly become one of our favorite ribbon mics to use in our collection. Rca 44bx the first of the 44 family was the 44a, a large microphone, although considerably smaller than the 77a. The magnet is visible at center, and the narrow aluminum ribbon is suspended between the triangular pole pieces top. The original rca 44 ribbon microphone was the highend workhorse of its day, used extensively both on stage and in the studio.

I used it for nat coles vocals and all of the early capitol stuff, but it had a mellow character and we couldnt get the brightest high end out of it. Rca 44 ribbon mic i remembered i also have one somewhere in my garage. Aea r44 series ribbon microphones aea ribbon mics and preamps. Known for its distinctive shape and excellent vocal reproduction, it became a favorite of crooners such as bing crosby who reportedly carried his own personal 44 with him to gigs in an effort to consistently sound his best. In this interview, stan coutant talks about the history of the microphone and provides background information for vintage mic collectors.

Without a doubt, the two most famous ribbon microphones are the rca 44 and 77. The rca44bx bidirectional ribbonelement microphone was the dominant microphone used by the radio network studios and local radio station studios throughout the united states from the mid 1930s through the early 1950s. The threaded mount is 34 the height is adjustable from about 9. From the outset, the 44bx was used for music and dialog recording. Half the trick to an rca 44 sound is in the mic amp an aea trp is great but then there is the real deal rca op6. The aea r44 microphone is a museum quality replica of the 193638 rca 44, handmade by aea using 1. Although many of these microphones are now in the hands of collectors, there are still a number in use to this day on scoring stages and by scoring mixers in the film industry. Mar 17, 2017 this rca radio corporation of america 74b microphone, commonly referred to as the junior velocity has rapidly become one of our favorite ribbon mics to use in our collection. This microphone is perfect for use when in search of a hard high frequency sound. No interest if paid in full within 12 months cascade fat head short ribbon mic stereo pair brown. The type 44 bx velocity microphones mi4027b, d, h, j and k are highfidelity microphones of the ribbon type that are specially designed for broadcast studio use. American dr332 variable pattern control modification. I put it away and havent thought about it untill this week.

Recently we have used this microphone for a number of commercials. It was rumored to have been in development as early as 1929 but wasnt officially announced until 1932. A ribbon mic, sometimes called a ribbon velocity microphone, uses a ribbon made of a thin strip of material, most commonly aluminum or a nanofilm. The rca 44bxs have a very smooth sound which is characteristic of a ribbon microphone. Ribbon microphones are typically bidirectional, meaning that they pick up sounds equally well from either side of the microphone. As we settled in to talk to clarence, a vintage rca 44bx sat on the workbench. Produced from 1932 1955, the rca 44 bx is perhaps the single most recognizable ribbon microphone and something of an icon in the world of broadcast and recording history. This particular model, introduced in 1935 and produced through the 1950s, was designed as a cheaper alternative to the more widely used 44. As we settled in to talk to clarence, a vintage rca 44 bx sat on the workbench. The microphone was a workhorse of the broadcasting and recording industries in the 1950s.

It uses a 2 long corrugated aluminum ribbon which is just 1. The story of the man behind the rca 44 and 77 ribbon. Its a great time to upgrade your home music studio gear with the largest selection at. Most scoring stages acquired large stocks of ribbons directly from rca during the 1930s and 40s. Rca victor 1933 velocity ribbon microphone booklet 44a. The bbc cites 1933 as the year pressure gradient ribbon microphones were introduced. This rca type 44bx vintage ribbon microphone is in excellent cosmetic condition. By 1998, aea had acquired 100 percent of the interchangeable parts used within the original rca 44. It is made and sold by british company coles, who also make the lip microphones often used for sports commentary. This is the motor from the russian ribbon mic ml52, these are ribbons i am replacing from original. Cinemag cm9888 twin bobbin ribbon mic output transformer for. It is these materials that allow the mic to pick up audible sounds in the room. Aea microphones r44cx legacy ribbon microphone musician.

Silk inside screens was replaced, nos brown rca cable was installed, metal parts were cleaned, transformer housing was refinished. If youve ever seen an old movie or tv show where there was a radio announcer, youve probably seen a ribbon microphone. Rca 44bx ribbon microphone 1940s umber gray price guide reverb. Also, you should check out the clouds if you get a chance. Metrosonics rca 44bx prototypes metrosonic recording. Why ribbon mics are the new standard aea ribbon mics. As collectors began to buy up the supply of rca 44s through the 90s, the availability of this wonderful ribbon mic to the studio was endangered. Details about rca victor 1933 velocity ribbon microphone booklet 44a. Other than the rca 44, the 4038 is arguably the most wellknown ribbon mic in the world. Rca 44bx ribbon microphone vintage microphone, microphones. The 77 microphone was the very first ribbon microphone designed and introduced by rca. Rca 44bx ribbon microphone 1940s umber gray price guide. I remembered i also have one somewhere in my garage.

Schottky and erwin gerlach coinvented the first ribbon microphone at telefunken. These were some of the most used studio mics in the 50s, and youll find a lot of photos online with famous singers like elvis, nat king cole, frank sinatra, as well as many famous radio djs and. Pictured at left is the rca 44 bx ribbon microphone that we are offering for sale. Olson of rca started developing ribbon microphones using. Feb 12, 2012 the bbc cites 1933 as the year pressure gradient ribbon microphones were introduced. It used a large horseshoe magnet around the ribbon and featured a figure8 pickup pattern. Cinemag cm9888 twin bobbin ribbon mic output transformer.

Theres a nice photo of the internal construction showing the magnet structure and ribbon, and another photo of a large, clunky windscreen designed for the 44a. Wes dooley, a specialist in ribbon mics of all kinds, began a project to restore availability of the rca 44 to its rightful position in the studio. In 1976, aea decided to begin servicing the thousands of existing rca ribbon mics in the world. New flickr slideshow installing a new ribbon in an rca 77d click to view lots of how i did it pix. It also notes that rca s harry olson applied for a patent on january 31, 1941 that was granted may 9, 1944 for ribbon microphones that converted sound pressure to electrical energy using a strip of aluminum between two magnets. That same year we debuted our r44 reissue called the aea r44c using rcas original methods and techniques. While the reasonably usable range of foil gauges is quite narrow, the width of a ribbon can vary between 1. One of the true greats in ribbon mic repair and restoration, mr. From the outset, the 44 bx was used for music and dialog recording. This velocity microphone, which is also known by its rca part number mi4027b, d, h, j or k, works well.

New cinemag cm9888 twin bobbin ribbon mic output transformer for the rca 44 and other ribbon microphones. Aea microphones r44cx legacy ribbon microphone musicians. When the companys microphone division was closed down in 1976, aea began servicing ribbon microphones, and by 1998 were manufacturing 100% of the parts for the 44, resulting in the release of aeas version of this classic mic. It also notes that rcas harry olson applied for a patent on january 31, 1941 that was granted may 9, 1944 for ribbon. Rca44bx replica microphone the villages oldtime radio. The 44b was upgraded to the 44bx in 1938 when stronger alnico 5 magnets were. The sound and response of the 44 bbx were unlike anything else available, and was cherished for its smoothness, forgiving nature and unique tonal balance. Rca pb90 44a velocity microphone rare vintage ribbon. Rca 44 bx ribbon mic, early radio version,all black, 90b desk stand, nbc lightening bolt flag. Produced from 1932 1955, the rca 44bx is perhaps the single most recognizable ribbon microphone and something of an icon in the world of broadcast and recording history.

Rare original complete rca mic stand apparently for the rca 74b ribbon microphone. Rca 77a granddaddy of the ribbon microphone, the 77a is among the rarest of the rca ribbons microphones. I just got back from visiting a college roomate and on his self was an old rca 44 that we used back in the 60s. The microphones were reportedly handbuilt and serviced by rcas west coast ribbon technician, charles gant. A recent history of ribbon microphones ty ford audio and. Rca 44 ribbon microphones have remained an essential part of studio life well after rca stopped manufacturing them in 1955.

The bidirectional pattern allowed two people to use the mic at the same time one on each side. The aea 44 replicas are going to sound different than the 84s, you will have to hear them both the rca 44 and aea 44 side to side if your trying to differentiate between those specific mics. Ekkehart willms co precision powder coating, 248 harbor blvd. Some of the most common rca microphones include models such as. Aea r44c accurate rca 44 ribbon microphone replica with. Overall opinion ive been using the rca 44 ribbon microphone on and off for about three or four years and it is one of the coolest overall ribbon microphones that i have used. I guess youre looking for the rca 44 or 77 models, since theyre the most famous and synonimous mics associated with the rca brand name. Mountings and accessories are described and listed in a parts list, and photos show the suspension mounting, the announce stand 91a, and the program stand 90a. The rca 44 bxs have a very smooth sound which is characteristic of a ribbon microphone. Aea microphones r44cxe legacy ribbon microphone musicians. The rca type 44 a velocity microphone here are four photos of an rca type 44 a velocity mic with a deep bronze finish.