The Sound of ’51

In the process of preparing tomorrow’s post, I came across these circa 1951 microphone ads.  Check em out.  Some icons here, some forgotten specimens.

I have never used these BRUSH mics.  Seem like communications, rather than recording microphones.

These particular EVs were primarily intended as HAM/PA mics.  I have a few 630s and 636s and I’ve never been inclined to use them in the studio.

Ah.  the ‘ELVIS’ mic.  Perhaps the most iconic vintage microphone in the world. 

The Turner 99 is a great mic.  I own a few of these, and I do use them in the studio from time to time.  They are very clean, with a reduced (midrange-y) frequency response. I have had good results using a 99 as a ‘close’ vocal mic, along with a good AKG or Neumann condenser mic as a ‘room’ mic, 6′- 10′ feet off the same performer.  

I have never used an ‘aristocrat,’ but Turner did make a few decent hand-held dynamics back then… I have a model 510, which was their top-of-the-line, and it is a good mic; definately worth checking out if you want something ‘different’ but still useful.