For most of us, the phrase "vintage microphone" conjures the image of an old-fashioned grilled device, with a radio or TV station's call letters emblazoned on its top or side. These are the mics Bing Crosby sang into, or that Orson Welles and his Mercury Theatre on the Air used to scare the bejeezus out of millions of people with the broadcast of "The War of the Worlds" on October 30, 1938. The most prized of these are called ribbon microphones.

Interviews & Articles

Testing 1, 2, 3: In Praise of the Vintage Microphone

I started my website on vintage microphones in 2001, for a couple of reasons. One was for the benefit of my students. I taught aud… [more]

Understanding Antique Radios

You've just acquired an old radio, but apart from the manufacturer's name on the front, you don't know a blessed thing about it. L… [more]

Vintage Transistor Radios of the 1950s and 60s

Perhaps you recently saw a picture of a cool looking pocket radio from the early 1960’s and were reminded of your carefree, youthf… [more]



Best of the Web (“Hall of Fame”)

Microphones

Microphones

Testing 1, 2, 3. Stan Coutant's tribute to the vintage mic is clear and vibrant. Start at the table of contents fo… [read review or visit site]

The Vintage Knob

The Vintage Knob

The Vintage Knob is an extensive resource on all types of audio electronics organized by manufacturer, from Aiwa to… [read review or visit site]

Jim's Antique Radio Museum

Jim's Antique Radio Museum

Jim Tripp's showcase of radios from the 1920s to late 1950s, organized by style and theme (wood, console, plastic, … [read review or visit site]

The Radio Attic's Archives

The Radio Attic's Archives

This photo gallery of over 7800 vintage radios, categorized by manufacturer and model number, is a group effort wit… [read review or visit site]

AntiqueRadios.com

AntiqueRadios.com

Alan Voorhees' reference resource for vintage radio collectors includes a photo gallery, article library, PDF archi… [read review or visit site]

Radiomuseum.org

Radiomuseum.org

This vast archive and community of radio collectors features over 120,000 radio model listings and 350,000 photos a… [read review or visit site]

Phil's Old Radios

Phil's Old Radios

This extensive collection of antique radios includes beautiful photos and detailed historical descriptions. The sit… [read review or visit site]

Radiophile.com

Radiophile.com

John Pelham's collection of wood and plastic radios from the 1930's and 40's. What sets this site apart is the deta… [read review or visit site]

Radio-Guy

Radio-Guy

Steve Erenberg's extremely wacky and well-done collection of vintage mad-scientist devices and contraptions. Writte… [read review or visit site]



Clubs & Associations: Electronics

Discussion Forums: Electronics

Other Great Reference Sites: Electronics

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Recent News: Microphones

Source: Google News

MUSIC REVIEW | Todd Rundgren brings the unexpected to the Varsity Theater
Twin Cities Daily Planet, May 21st

Todd Rundgren was nicely visible on a platform center stage, surrounded by electronics and a vintage microphone overhead. He only picked up his guitar a couple times, which may have been disappointing to some, but his impressive vocal stamina more...Read more

Music Producer to the Stars, Wade Martin, Opens World's Best Recording Studio ...
PR Web (press release), May 16th

Not to mention a vintage microphone locker that you have to see to believe. Mr. Martin says that analogue hardware is still irreplaceable in the pro audio world nor are we even close to being able to replicate the workings of analogue and digital...Read more

Universal Audio Launches Ocean Way Studios Dynamic Room Modeling Plugin
SonicScoop, May 7th

Built upon UA's proprietary new Dynamic Room Modeling, Ocean Way Studios provides the unique ambience and dispersion properties of various sources in the rooms at Ocean Way, as recorded through a selection of rare vintage microphones that can be...Read more

Amy Dickson: Siren of seductive, late-night sax
Telegraph.co.uk, April 28th

To enhance the period effect, she and producer James McMillan recorded the tracks at Angel Studios in Islington, using vintage microphones in a room “where they have this specific wood panelling that gives you that particular sound”. It wouldn't weave...Read more