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The Development Of Mic Technology

By Bruce Hathaway

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Published: 21Jun2011
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Setting the records straight for credit of mic invention is not easy. There were many names that went to grab this seat. Following the biographies of each inventor will make history clearer and the credit rightfully given to whom it is due.

Microphones are simply devices that convert sound waves to similar characteristics of electric impulses which is again turned to its original sound wave form through a speaker system. This word was coined by Charles Wheatstone around 1827 to refer to instruments that intensify weak sounds like a stethoscope.

The technology for converting sound wave was developed by several inventors like German physicist Johann Philipp Reis with his liquid transmitter. Alexander Graham Bell used similar design for his crude telephone invention. About the same time, Elisha Gray also made his telephone model but was an hour late in applying for the same pre-patent that was applied by, and granted to, Alexander Graham Bell.

In the same year, Bell Company's telephone demonstration was witnessed by Emile Berliner. He noticed that the caller had to shout to be heard at the other end. He came up with an idea of an improved voice transmitter for this invention. This led to the invention of the first microphone, which he wisely patented. It improved the performance of Bell's newly invented telephone. The Bell Company was impressed by the invention and bought the patent for $50,000.

In 1878, David Edward Hughes invented an alternative microphone using carbon granules that was loosely packed and enclosed. Although the device was poor transmitter, it was already a milestone for telephony. His invention was improved by Thomas Alva Edison in 1886 creating the carbon-button transmitter.

Eugen Reisz, AEG lab director joined by his apprentice Georg Neumann, created his company to create a better carbon microphone to replace the unimpressive older version. Georg Neumann came up with Reisz marble block microphone. When radio hit the masses with record companies using new recording technology, there was a big demand for better microphones.

Excited by the idea of building capacitive or condenser mics, this inventor left employment and became the founder of Georg Neumann & Co. In the year 1928 in Berlin. Neumann's CMV3 condenser mic had its debut in 1928. It has become the popular device used in live broadcasting and recording studios.

Earlier in the year 1916, Edward Christopher Wente invented the condenser transmitter for Bell company telephone. It was 100 times more sensitive than the previous model. This technology was applied to stage microphones in 1922 for its better sound capturing technology in the first ever condenser microphone. The Western Electric company produced the first commercially available condenser microphone in America. Wente also made a major contribution to the technology of movies with sound..

After the World War II, there were several names that became known in the industry. Neumann U47 was by created its company and became the famous classic studio condenser microphone of all time. It was a large-diaphragm condenser microphone manufactured by Neumann in 1949 and until 1965 and distributed Telefunken putting this company's name in the housing of its housing until 1958 restoring the Neumann logo.

In 1960, this model was updated to U67. It was a versatile microphone intended for close-up as well as distant use. Its new technology has resolved the problem of proximity effect and overloading and comes with a clever switch. It has a modern-look with tapered capsule windscreen and body design.

Another noted company was founded in 1945, several weeks after World War II by Fritz Sennheiser and company in Labor W - or a laboratory called Laboratorium Wennebostel, and was called by that name. Labor W began making microphones a year later. In 1958, Labor W became known as Sennheiser electronic. By the year 1980, it supplied headsets to Lufthansa airlines. Two years later, it developed and produced the modern wireless microphones.

AKG Acoustics is an Austrian company founded Rudolf Gorike and Ernst Pless in Vienna in the year 1947. They began to produce headphones by 1949. By 1953, it produced its first mic, the C12. By 1960, it created the Telefunken Ela M 250 and M251 for the Telefunken Company which needed this type of quality condenser after Neumann stopped its production of U47 for them. There is only a slight difference between this newer version and the older C12.

Shure Radio Company was founded in 1925 by Sidney Shure. It manufactured radio parts until 1933, expanding its line by producing microphones and other sound gadgets. It most famous creation is the SM58 that boasted of good sound, amazing durability and affordability.

The inventions of the last century have come a long way. Post-world war birthed passion to many industries including the mic companies. A few of these enhancements became classic pieces, and priced for their remarkable qualities. Modern computer technology paved the way to USB devices including easy plug-in microphones for convenient sound recording.

Bruce has achieved a lifetime of producing and engineering at his recording studio, Excello, in Williamsburg, Brooklyn. He is also a wireless mic expert with extensive knowledge of vocal, instrument, wireless, USB microphones and more.

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