Courtesy of the Audio Engineering Society’s 1965 Membership Directory Publication: today we take a look at some ‘full-product-line’ advertising from the the leading microphone-makers of 1965. Shure, Beyer, and RCA are curiously absent.
Gotham Audio of NYC was the sole USA importer/distributor of Neumann Mics for a very long time. It is incredible to me how Neumann’s reputation has stayed so strong for so many years. Sort of like… Mercedes? BMW? Maybe there is something to be said for quality vs. price-point-engineering after all.
I knew that 421s were popular in the 1960s, but i had not realized that they were available as early as 1965! This is an incredible product. The 421 is still considered a world-class mic choice for tom drums, as well as bass guitar and kick drum for certain sounds. I have also found it a great mic for aggressive rock vocals. FORTY FIVE YEARS and these things are still in demand.
Ah yes the EV line. Need to do that 655 listening test! Also this reminds me that I need to find a model 666. Satan references aside, the 666 is somewhat the predecessor to the EV RE-20, which is to this day one of my all-time favorite microphones. Gets used on every session.
The AKG line-up from 1965, branded and distributed in the USA by Norelco. I recently came across a large trove of 1970s AKG dealar literature which I will feature soon on the site. The only mic from this 1965 stable that I have much experience with is the D-19, aka the Ringo Overhead Mic. I have found it to be useful for ‘distressed’ rock vocals, as well as aggressive driving acoustic guitar rhythm tracks.
…And the Schoeps line. yup gotta get some of these.
Tomorrow: Primitive electronic music studio.