SOS : what is this mic?

[ManFromGlass]

Slightly off topic - some of the early mics almost look like works of art. Would you think these days due to the available science, that mic design now is dictated mostly by the science?

[Luke W]

Would you think these days due to the available science, that mic design now is dictated mostly by the science?

I'd imagine that what the average user thinks a mic should look like and what shapes are easy/cheap to manufacture are probably fairly big influences. Something that is technically excellent but looks a bit odd and costs a lot to produce would probably lose out in a lot of cases to something average that looks like a U87.

But that's just my (uninformed) thought, I may well be very wrong.

[Hugh Robjohns]

From what I've seen and heard, I'm certain that some boutique mic manufacturers out there have never read a science book at all. And there are a few companies that are deliberately making some pretty wacky ..sorry, arty-looking... microphones.

But the 50s was a special period in history. The post-War jubilation combined with an explosion in science and materials, and especially the rocket and atomic developments... It's hardly surprising that everything ended up looking like some part of a rocket back then!

[orange]

totally random bump of a long dead thread

was watching North By Northwest the other day and was reminded of this thread:

https://youtu.be/N4HqPnm0yEc?t=120

not sure if that's a set/prop ?

Unfortunately I seem to spend far too much time looking out for audio equipment inconsistencies in movies such as:

"That scene is meant to be 1965 but that particular type of Ludwig drum lug didn't appear until 1968 !"
or
"Neutrik XX range didn't exist in 1986 - how come they have them in Stranger Things ?"

That last one is true and (partially) explains why I don't get invited to many film nights ?

[Hugh Robjohns]

was watching North By Northwest the other day and was reminded of this thread:

https://youtu.be/N4HqPnm0yEc?t=120

not sure if that's a set/prop ?

Real mic, and consistent with the film era. It's an American D22. Very 50s, rocket-style mic.

https://coutant.org/amerd22/

[sonics]

I'm always fascinated by those old catalogue pages. They were not cheap mics! I always go on about how lucky we are now that we have China making most of our equipment at stupidly-low prices.
Great design; when white America was looking forward to space-age living and flying cars?!

[Wonks]

Don‘t forget hover boots!

[orange]

not sure if that's a set/prop ?

Real mic, and consistent with the film era. It's an American D22. Very 50s, rocket-style mic.

yes the history was already discussed in the thread.

I meant I wasn't sure if that was a mic actually used for the pager in the UN building or if it was just a cool looking prop for the film ?

There are definitely shots from inside/outside the real UN Building in that scene but I suspect that shot is actually a set.....hence the mic is a prop.

[ManFromGlass]

Prop or not some props people are nicely detail oriented to the nth degree.

I can’t remember the film but I recall a singer walking around holding a Royer ribbon with no cable attached singing into the end of the mic. I’m sure I snorted with amusement.

[Hugh Robjohns]

I meant I wasn't sure if that was a mic actually used for the pager in the UN building or if it was just a cool looking prop for the film ?

I didn't work in the UN in the 50s, so I've no idea what their PA system comprised of.... but it's a real mic, and entirely consistent with both the film era and that specific application.

...hence the mic is a prop.

Probably. A working prop, though, not a painted balsa wood creation.

[orange]

Prop or not some props people are nicely detail oriented to the nth degree.

yes - it's the details than can make all the difference. I assume somebody who put that set together actually knew what they were doing

FWIW I had noticed that at some point the BM3 made a brief (?) appearance in the UN

http://xaudiaelektrik.blogspot.com/2014 ... nited.html

That's 1956 - 3 years before North by Northwest's imaginary D22 setup.

[ManFromGlass]

Interesting article.
Small correction - although some here may wish it, there is no President of Canada. We have a Prime Minister.