Electro-Voice DO56L Dynamic Shock Mount Omni circa 1980

Perfect for the socially distanced interview!

Following in the company’s long tradition the Electro-Voice DO56L is a triumph of innovative design and precision engineering. The 11 and a half inch 56L is the Long version of the DO56 and was intended as the perfect tool for TV news gathering or Talk Show Hosts. Even the dull ‘Silver tone beige’ finish was carefully chosen to be unobtrusive and none-reflective under TV lighting.

Electro-Voice advertising material from 1980 featured below explains in detail the design of this exceptional new microphone. The clever arrangement of the internal shock mounting is particularly impressive.

Can’t beat a bit of subtle product placement/celebrity endorsement!

So What Does it Sound Like?  CLICK HERE for spoken word clip.

What else can it be used for?

Back in the 1950’s when AKG came up with the D12 they fondly imagined that they had designed a general purpose instrument and vocal mic. The marketing blurb featured photos of pretty girls warbling sweetly into the new microphone and indeed it was a great success with singers. Then along came the studio engineers who took a look at the tech spec and said, ‘Hey…. I bet with that frequency response curve and high SPL rating the D12 would sound great on bass drum’!  Within a few years it was on bass drums all over the world! In fact these days it is often referred to as the ‘legendary bass drum mic’ (no mention of vocals). So when I see marketing literature declaring a microphone to have a particular purpose I always find myself imagining (based on the tech spec) what else it might be good for.

Although the Electro-Voice DO56L was very much designed with demands of TV journalism in mind and a frequency response tailored to the human voice, I feel sure that it could also have a range of other uses. So let me see now……………

More Sound Clips to follow as soon as COVID-19 allows!

 

Steane’s ‘Ellipsoid’ Ribbon Microphone Circa 1948. A Sorry Tale!

Steane’s ‘Ellipsoid’ was a budget ribbon microphone made in Melbourne Australia in the late 1940’s. The advertising literature from December 1948 declares it to be the ‘World’s Smallest Ribbon Mike’!

Other claims made in the blurb also raised my curiosity, especially the bit about ‘No boom or puff’!  (Never previously on my list of ribbon mic problems!)   So when my newly purchased Steane’s ‘Ellipsoid’ arrived I had to plug it in straight way. However………….. As I turned up the volume on my headphones I was horrified by the sound that assailed my ears. It had a very unpleasant nasal honk and a gratingly harsh high end! This was not what I was expecting! The previous owner had assured me that this shiny gem was fully working and all original. Hmmm!

On opening it up this is what I found. Whaaaaaaaaat TF!

The ribbon motor and transformer had been removed! The body of the mic was filled with grotty, yellowing, wading and a crudely soldered Astatic ceramic element dumped unceremoniously on the top.The whole horrifying confection was sort of held in place with a couple of random bits of grey foam.

The grill was also stuffed with wading to stop the lose element from rattling around (and maybe improve the tone?) Perhaps it was an attempt to get rid of some of that legendary Aussie ‘Boom’ and ‘Puff’!   Anyhow, I sadly stuffed it all back together as I found it and bunged it back in the post to the previous owner for a full refund. What a disappointment!

P.S.

If like me you are unfamiliar with Steane’s microphones here is their Microphone catalogue circa 1948/9. The mics listed here offer a range of applications for both the professional and the amateur user. I notice that the Dynacard model also guarantees ‘No Boom or Puff’!  🤣  The Home Studio shown on the last page is interesting as it appears to be an early form of Karaoke system allowing the user to sing along with the radio and thereby add ‘zip’ to any party!

Anyhow, perhaps one day another Steane’s microphone will come my way.