BBC L2 (STC4104 A) Lip Ribbon Microphone Circa 1955

When this BBC L2 (STC4104 A) first arrived, I thought that I might lavish some TLC on it’s battle-scarred wooden case to make it look a bit smarter. However, the more I look at it, the more I think that I shall leave it just as it is. This microphone has clearly been around the block a few times and has history. The two stickers on the lid are REPAIR and TESTED labels from the BBC Equipment Department in the mid 1980’s. By then it had already been in service for 30 years!

I always feel a bit sad when I see a vintage microphone advertised on a selling site as being “Unopened in original box”, or simply “NOS”. No history, just old. Certainly not the case for this BBC L2 (STC4104 A). Opening the lid of the box reveals a microphone which has had a lot of use!

Most high quality microphones spend their lives cosseted, and looked after by skilled engineers, in the well regulated environment of a recording or broadcasting studio. This BBC L2 lip ribbon microphone has spent its life on the road with journalists, commentators and broadcasting crew. What is really amazing is that it is still in great working condition, along with its original 3 position Equaliser.

The only down side to this piece of kit is that the microphone, equaliser, and case have a combined weight of 13lbs! Most of this is the equaliser. Later models dispensed with the EQ. Instead the MED BASS roll-off was built into the microphone. However, it is pretty clear from the big splodge of red paint, that even with this mic, MED BASS was the preferred setting.

History Lesson

The BBC designed the L2 in 1951 as an updated version of the L1 which had been in service since 1937. It arrived just in time to play a starring role in the televised Coronation of Elizabeth II, when it was used to capture the famous commentary by Richard Dimbleby in Westminster Abbey. Dimbleby was known as the “Voice of the Nation”, and so on this occasion the L2 was perhaps the “Ear of the Nation”, into which he delivered his stately measured tones. It was the first mass-televised event in Britain. Shops selling televisions ran out of stock as people bought them for the first time!

(Watch from 3.30m)

The BBC L2 (STC4104 A) also made it possible to clearly broadcast commentary from even the noisiest of environments.

This microphone has an extraordinary ability to cancel out and reject unwanted surrounding sounds. It is particularly insensitive at the sides of the mic in the dead zones of the ribbon.

Here is Kenneth Wolstenholme at the 1966 Football World Cup.

CLICK LINK below to hear the end of the match !

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/av/football/27005797

CLICK HERE to hear my STC4104 A in action!

CLICK HERE to hear the STC4104 A delivering a VOCAL. (Great new look for any singer!)

Technical Information

In previous posts I have occasionally (often) moaned about the difficulty of finding information about various vintage microphones. In the case of the L2 lip ribbon microphone, because it was designed by the BBC, there is a wealth of documentation available. Rather than writing a lengthy technical description myself, I would recommend reading the BBC Monograph which appears below. This explains the design and usage of this classic microphone in great detail.

P.S.  Today a version of the BBC L2 (STC4104) lip ribbon microphone is still made by Coles and is widely used by journalists and commentators all over the world.

bbc_monograph_07Download

Sennheiser LABOR W MD4 Noise-Cancelling Microphone.

Following on from my posts about the LABOR W MD7 and the MD21, here is another gem from the early years of Sennheiser.  Released in 1951, the MD4 is an unusual looking, handheld, noise-cancelling, dynamic microphone designed to suppress feedback and ambient noise.

Back view.

So How Does It Work?

The MD4 is side addressed. Sound can enter through the openings on either side of the capsule. When the user is speaking in close proximity to the front of the microphone their voice is strongly reproduced and very little sound is entering at the back of the diaphram. On the other hand, unwanted sound arriving at the microphone from further away, and in particular at the sides, will enter front and  back simultaneously. Bearing in mind that the back of the diaphragm is 180 degrees out of phase with the front, these sounds will be cancelled in varying degrees. This capsule design achieved a considerable degree of off-axis rejection, making it much less likely to pick up unwanted sound from PA loudspeakers or other sources.

Outside of the military and commercial aviation, the MD4 was the first purpose designed, dynamic, noise-cancelling microphone that I can think of, on sale for domestic use.

N.B. Sadly the original Grosse Tuchel connector has gone missing but at some point I will replace it. For now it works fine direct wired.

In a market previously dominated by feedback-prone omnis, the MD4 gained considerable popularity for use in public address and continued in production until 1973. Although initially intended for use with speech the MD4 also found favour as a vocal mic.

Here is the legendary Sonny Boy Williamson II pictured at a folk/blues festival in Germany in 1963. 

So what does it sound like? 

Here is a Voice Recording Demonstrating the Noise-Cancelling properties of the MD4

CLICK HERE to listen.

And now for something completely different ………….

Close-Mic’d Guitar Amp

CLICK HERE to listen.

N.B.   In the context of a live gig the noise-cancelling properties of the MD4 will provide considerable isolation from other performers.

Below is some technical information on the MD4 from the 1953 LABOR W catalogue.

English Translation 

Moving coil microphones

Moving coil microphones have two major advantages over other types of microphones:

• They are robust and insensitive to weather influences.
• Due to their low source resistance, they can be easily connected via lines of several 100 metres.

Moving coil microphone MD 2

Universally usable microphone for particularly rough operation. Well suited as a table microphone because of its elegant shape in combination with a table base. Frequency range 50-10,000 Hz. Sensitivity approx. 0.1 mV/ub at 200 . Dimensions: 54 Ø x 120mm. Table base available as an accessory.

Moving coil microphone MD 21

Thanks to a new design and modern production methods, we have succeeded in creating a high-quality universal microphone that, despite its low price, is top class. Frequency range 50-15,000 Hz. Sensitivity 0.20 mV. Dimensions: 120 x 46 x 46 mm. An elegant table base is available as an accessory.

Stand microphone MD 3   

Very popular as a stage microphone because of its barely visible input stage. The high-quality moving coil element housed in the base ensures high transmission quality. Frequency range 30-10,000 Hz. Sensitivity approx. 0.08 .V ub and 200 Ω. Spherical polar pattern. Dimensions: base 170 mm Ø, 60 mm high, tube 900-1 500 mm long.

Stand microphone MD 3 Studio

In a frequency range of 30 to 15,000 Hz, it has an effective treble boost from around 6,000 Hz. Externally, it can only be distinguished from the MD 3 by the form of the input stage.

MD 3 and MD 3 Studio are supplied with an attachable Plexiglass panel, which gives the microphones a slight directivity.

Probe measurement microphone MD 3 M

The extremely small sound absorption of only 8 mm Ø does not cause any distortions in the sound field. Therefore particularly suitable for many acoustic measurements. Frequency response 50-10,000 Hz + 2.5 db.

Moving coil microphones (page 2)

Table microphone MD 3 T

A particularly elegant table microphone for first-class transmission of speech and music. Base plate can be unscrewed and has a thread suitable for mounting on a photographic tripod. Balanced frequency range 50 -10,000 Hz. Sensitivity 0.08 mV/ub at 200 Ω. Omnidirectional polar pattern. Dimensions: ball 60 mm Ø, plate 70 mm Ø, projection 450 mm.

Hand microphone MD 4

The MD4 has proven to be excellent for all voice transmissions where there is a risk of acoustic feedback. Through particularly effective compensation, any sound coming from a greater distance is very strongly suppressed. The MD4 is therefore just as suitable for transmissions from very noisy rooms. Frequency range 50-10,000 Hz. Internal resistance 200Ω. Voltage emitted during normal discussion 4mV. Dimensions: case 60 mm Ø, length 180 mm, weight 380 g. – The MD4 is available with a talk switch and also in a switchable high-impedance version.

Hand microphone MD 42

Field of application like MD4; but is end addressed. Frequency range 200-10,000 Hz. Internal resistance 200Ω. Voltage emitted during normal discussion 2.5 mV. Dimensions 47mm Ø. Length 120 mm, weight approx. 135 g.

Moving coil microphone MD 5

Universally usable microphone in a favourable price range. Can be used as a hand, table or tripod microphone. Excellent reproduction, especially for voice transmission. Available in low and high resistance, with and without a switch. Sensitivity approx. 0.25 mV/ub or 7mV/ub. Dimensions: 86 x 65 x 52 mm.

Speech microphone MD 7

Particularly good speech intelligibility due to emphasis on high frequencies. Therefore recommended for announcement and dictation systems. The soft rubber housing makes the MD7 insensitive to rough use. Available in low-impedance and high-impedance versions. Dimensions: 76 x 48 x 48 mm.

Microphone Accessories

Tripods, flexible necks, table bases, cables, couplings in various designs available.

---

Conclusion

Throughout the decade following the establishment of LABOR W in June 1945 Fritz Sennheiser and his colleagues at Laboratorium Wennebostal worked hard producing a range of innovative microphones for a variety of purposes, aimed at different sectors of the market. They offered microphones for the home, the office, the stage, journalism and TV and sound studios. As we can see from the catalogue above they demonstrated a remarkable degree of ingenuity, technical expertise and creativity. These are characteristics which distinguish the Sennheiser brand to this day.

Credits

Many thanks to my old school friend Alan Marchant for kindly donating this fascinating microphone. Alan is owner of The Vintage Wireless Co in Manchester at 174 Cross St, Sale M33 7AQ. His shop is an amazing Aladdin’s cave of ancient wirelesses, car radios, gramophones and phonographs. Well worth a visit!

Thanks also to Keith Thompson for sparing the time to record the tasty blues guitar clips.

And thanks to Hazel Hanson for the English translation of the LABOR W Catalogue.

MB – UNITRA TONSIL MDO 23 (Circa 1975-80s)

Between 1973 and ‘75 German microphone manufacturer MB Electronic (today known as MBHO) designed a range of quality microphones that were licensed to Polish state owned electronics company UNITRA TONSIL.

Back in May 2020 I wrote a post about the UNITRA Tonsil MCU-53, an excellent cardioid condenser. Now, (from the same stable) here is the MDO 23, a slender, omnidirectional, studio dynamic.

So What is it Good For ?

The thing I have always liked about omnidirectional dynamic microphones is the absence of proximity effect coupled with the ability to handle high SPLs. This makes them perfect for close-micing loud guitar amps without having to mess around EQing unwanted boominess caused by proximity effect. I have often used a Sennheiser MD21 on rock ’n’ roll theatre shows for this purpose.

Omni dynamics also make excellent speech mics and are very often used in TV and radio for interviews. Once again the absence of proximity effect is useful, allowing a good deal of freedom of movement without significantly affecting the frequency response.

Picking up sound from 360 degrees, Omnis are also just the job when it comes to capturing ‘atmosphere’.

CLICK HERE to hear a range of sound sources recorded with the MB UNITRA TONSIL MDO 23

Technical Specifications

Frequency Response graph

Standard 3 pin small Tuchel  connector

Conclusion

Having scoured the internet for information about this microphone I have come to the conclusion that it is somewhat rare! Apart from a couple of photographs, the tech spec and frequency response graph pictured above were pretty much all I could find. Sadly, it would appear that company records of this period have long since vanished in the mists of time.

In common with the MCU-53 I wrote about previously, this microphone has been generously sent to me by a friend in Poland, Adam Wilma. It is a serious quality professional microphone with a myriad of uses, and a very welcome addition to the Polish section of my collection. So thanks once again Adam!

UNITRA Tonsil MCU-53

Acel GM-17B

MB UNITRA Tonsil MDO-23

Electro-Voice RE20 Cardioid Dynamic 1968- present day.

Picking up the RE20 for the first time the expression ‘built like a tank’ immediately springs to mind. Weighing in at 1lb 10oz everything about this microphone is heavy and solid. Able to operate in conditions of extreme temperature and humidity the RE20 can also handle pretty much unlimited SPL. If I was commissioned to record an erupting volcano, or maybe a nuclear explosion from close quarters this is the microphone I would choose! In addition it also has a wide, flat frequency response, uniform cardioid polar pattern and excellent transient response all of which allows the RE20 to compete with the very best of studio condensers.    

Here below is the manufacturer’s Technical Data and Service Sheet for the RE20 

re20_engineering_data_sheetDownload

pl20-and-re20-serviceDownload

Short History Lesson.

At the tail end of the 1950’s Lou Burroughs, co-founder of Electro-Voice announced that the company was to move away from the manufacture of condensers and ribbons and concentrate on producing dynamic microphones. He believed that condensers and ribbons were too fragile and temperamental and that dynamic microphones were superior in every way. He declared ‘These are the microphones of the future’.

Throughout the 1960’s Electro-Voice developed a series of quality dynamic microphones based on their famous Variable-D design, starting with the EV664 ‘The Buchanan Hammer’ and culminating in 1968 in the now legendary RE20. The advertising clip below for the EV666 illustrates how the Variable-D design uses phase cancellation to reduce unwanted pickup from the rear of the microphone and thereby ‘create a uniform cardioid pattern at all frequencies.’ The most obvious practical advantage is that ‘proximity effect’ is pretty much eliminated. This allows the user to address the microphone from very close quarters without any unnatural rise in bass frequencies.

Right from the start the RE20 proved to be an enormous hit with radio stations, recording studios, PA companies and performers. The RE20 was used for lead vocal on two albums by Stevie Wonder, ‘Talking Book’ in 1972 and ‘Innervisions’ 1973. Producer Robert Margouleff said that the RE20 helped achieve a “close, intimate sound”.  Tracks such as ‘Superstition’ and ‘You Are the Sunshine of My Life’ are outstanding classics of popular music.

Impervious to Popping.

Another important feature of the RE20 worth mentioning here is the internal ‘pop’ filter. Every entrance to this mic is protected by a barrier of thick foam.  I can think of no other microphone like it! For singers, actors and broadcasters who are prone to ‘popping’ or sibilance the RE20 is the solution to the problem. Even from a distance of ½ an inch it is almost impossible to make it ‘pop’!

Here is me being silly just to illustrate the point. 

Soooo…. In Conclusion.

Apart from close up recordings of plosive tongue twisters what else is the RE20 good for? Over the years it has been used for many things. Apart from broadcasting and vocals it has gained a considerable reputation on kick drum, guitar (electric and acoustic) bass (electric and upright) and brass instruments of all shapes and sizes. To be honest it is one of those very rare microphones that will sound great on almost anything!

CLICK HERE for recording with Tenor and Baritone Sax and Kick

RSA Selmer RL1 Ribbon Microphone 1947-1958

Wireless world Advert October 1946

Looking back from the 21^st century it is hard to picture a ‘dream’ PA system as being 2 x 8” speakers attached to a 12 WATT amplifier with 2 mic inputs!! However, in the UK this marks the beginning of the age of amplified, modern popular music. Within a few years the wattage and power output of PA systems would be rising rapidly, trying to keep pace with bigger and louder guitar amps!

In 1947 R.S. Amplifiers Ltd was bought by H. Selmer & Co Ltd who were at that time the largest musical instrument manufacturer in England. RSA’s newly launched Truevoice U12 PA system (described in detail below) continued in production until 1958 and formed the starting point for the Selmer Truevoice range of amplifiers. Selmer amps soon became a firm favourite for a whole generation of guitarists and bands.

Photographs of U12 PA Courtesy of Mario Martins.

The handy compartment lined with green baize is where the microphone would be stored in transit.

The RSA Selmer RL1 Microphone

Designed as a gigging PA microphone the body of the R.L.1. is very solidly cast in aluminium. The styling is distinctive and unusual. Somewhere between Art Deco and Mock-Tudor!  I can’t think of another microphone like it. The design of the grill is also peculiar to this model (and the later RL2) with baffled slots cleverly contrived to prevent the direct implosion of breath on the ribbon.

Inside the R.L.1. the ribbon motor is also further protected by a cotton bag.

Optional step-up transformer 15 Ohms – 50k Ohms (below)

 This enabled the mic to be plugged into a high impedance PA input or even a guitar amp.

Performance.

In terms of performance the R.S.A. Selmer RL1 is pretty much what you would expect from a ribbon microphone designed to go with the U12 PA system. Although it is somewhat lacking in high end response this would not have been a problem when delivering through 2 x 8 inch speakers! However, it has a pleasing, warm midrange which is flattering for most vocalists.

I had been intending to record a vocal clip to illustrate the qualities of this microphone but current COVID-19 restrictions here in the UK still make it difficult to meet up with performers. Hopefully in the next few months this situation will improve and I will be able to add a suitable recording to complete this post. 

P.S.

Here are a couple of likely lads from Liverpool (circa 1960) with the Selmer RL2. The grill is identical to the RL1 but the bodywork is somewhat different. I wonder what ever happened to these fresh-faced youths?

Tannoy Microphone Circa 1950.

Background.

The Tulsemere Manufacturing Company was founded in London in 1926 by Guy R. Fountain. In 1928 the name was changed to Tannoy. Rectifiers used in the company’s amplifiers utilised an alloy made from lead and tantalum. The name is simply a contraction of TANtalum/allOY.

 In the UK throughout the 1930’s Tannoy built up a considerable reputation for the design, manufacture and installation of industrial public address systems. Tannoy systems appeared in department stores, factories, offices, public buildings, academic institutions and sports grounds. In fact, just about anywhere that public announcements needed to be made- indoors or outdoors. There were even mobile systems fitted to vans!  

During World War 2, Tannoy manufactured installations for the British Army, Navy and Royal Air Force. Orders and day to day communications would be announced over ‘the Tannoy’.

By the end of WW2 the Tannoy brand was pretty much synonymous with any PA system. In 1946 the word ‘Tannoy’ passed into the Oxford English Dictionary as a noun meaning ‘public address system’. This usage is still current in the UK today.

As can be seen on the microphone featured here, Tannoy were not shy when it came to emblazoning the company name on their products. Judging from the tasteful antique bronze and grey paint finish, this gooseneck announcement microphone may well have been mounted on a mahogany desk in a Town Hall or other municipal building.

At first glance I assumed that this specimen, which has no model or serial number on it, was simply a dynamic paging mic in a fancy-looking case. However, when plugged in I was very surprised to hear how good it sounded! I carefully removed the grill and inside this is what I found……………

……. A well-made and neatly constructed, end addressed, ribbon motor. The back of the ribbon is enclosed by the magnet and the rear section of the casing. This produces a pretty much cardioid, directional polar pattern. It is similar in design to the STC4113 featured in a previous post.

So what does it sound like?   Because, here in the UK we continue to be under COVID-19 lockdown restrictions I still can’t get close to any proper musicians. I have therefore put together a slightly eccentric audio ‘collage’ of ‘percussion’ from around my desk to illustrate some of the impressive qualities of this distinctive Tannoy microphone. Marvel at the slightly sinister sound of 2 small terracotta plant pots being rubbed together and check out the creaky floor board! The finest details and complex textures of a variety of sounds are effortlessly reproduced as well as delivering natural speech with a high level of intelligibility.  

 CLICK HERE TO LISTEN.  

Conclusion.

This is definitely a microphone to keep. Apart from vocals and percussion, I have a feeling that it will work well on a whole range of instruments. Ribbons are always great for beefing up guitars! Can’t wait to get back to gigs and try it out!

P.S.  

Here below are a couple of photos of another Tannoy microphone sent to me by Stewart Tavener at http://xaudia.com/. This mic appears to share the same casing and ribbon motor as mine but has a switch and hinged stand mount.

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!

 

AKG C451E (Circa 1970) A Classic from The Golden Age of AKG

Today AKG is little more than a brand name owned by a multi-national corporation. Like a tired old rock star it rests on the laurels of its former glory whilst still churning out a few old favourites.

However, if we go back to the late 1960’s and into the 70’s AKG was a powerhouse of innovative design and high-tech engineering. Major achievements include the D200 series which took dynamic microphone design to a peak which even today sees few competitors. This period also saw the legendary C12 condenser evolve into the C414 which continues to be a favourite in studios across the world.

In 1969 AKG launched its newly developed Condenser Microphone System (CMS) using audio frequency circuitry with Field Effect Transistors. This was a fully modular microphone system based around the C451E, the inherent features of which were claimed to be;

• Low noise level,
• Extremely high reliability and
• Life-long sta­bility.                                                                                                    

A selection of interchangeable capsules and extension tubes could be purchased along with a variety of accessories covering a wide range of recording and live sound applications. The CMS proved to be enormously popular with broadcasters, TV companies and studios throughout the 1970’s and beyond, and can be seen on many BBC music programmes of the period.

These contemporary AKG brochures/guides explain the features of the CMS in detail.

AKG C451 CMS Technical Specifications

Technical Info AKG CMS microphones.

My C451E

Judging from the old style of logo and the lack of an externally stamped serial number on my newly purchased C451E (see top 2 pics), I think that it must be a fairly early example. It is in perfect condition and even the case is hardly marked. As always it was a bargain!

So What Does it Sound Like?    

Sadly, like many, many other people I am stuck at home at the moment practicing social distancing, and so recording music with my beautiful new C451E will have to wait until the current COVID-19 pandemic dies down and we can all get back to work!

Meanwhile Stay safe!

P.S.   Went for a walk today and recorded this:-    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k5MHEL6ZPHI

 

‘The Beatles Mic’ Reslo RB/L Black Label (Circa 1961)

Reslosound Ltd were a British company based in Romford, Essex, manufacturing microphones and electrical equipment throughout the 50’s and 60’s. In recent years the Reslo RB has become known as ‘The Beatles Mic’ because of its association with The Beatles early days at The Cavern Club.

However, as I recall (‘cos I’m that old), the Reslo RB was simply a popular vocal mic with many up-and-coming young beat groups in the clubs and pubs around Liverpool and Manchester. Like the Shure SM58 today, the Reslo RB was not, perhaps, the greatest vocal mic in the world, but it wasn’t bad either, and most importantly it was pitched at a price that gigging musicians could afford! In 1962 the Reslo RB/L could be purchased for £9.12s, which was less than half the price of an AKG D19B. A Sennheiser MD21 cost £16gns, or if you couldn’t quite afford the Reslo you could always settle for a Grampian DP4 L at £8. For their first gig at The Cavern in 1961 The Beatles were paid £5.

So how on earth did a delicate ribbon microphone survive whilst an enthusiastic singer (straining to get heard through a 50watt Vox PA) screamed ‘Twist and Shout’ at a distance of half an inch? (Or in the case of my mate’s band, an old valve amp built into a re-purposed rabbit hutch!) Reslosound clearly knew their market and gave this problem some thought. To avoid instant annihilation of the ribbon, Reslo had a cunning plan! Firstly the RB was designed with the ribbon motor facing backwards i.e. with the ribbon nearest the back of the microphone and thus somewhat shielded by the magnet. Secondly the RBs were supplied with a set of fine fibreglass ‘ acoustic correction pads ‘.

These had a range of functions, described in detail in the Reslo Instruction Manual. However, the most important purpose of the pads was to prevent the implosion of breath on the ribbon.

ResloRB_INSTRUCTIONS_TECHDATA

In the almost inevitable event of catastrophic failure Reslo also had ‘Plan B’ in the form of replacement ribbons which came mounted on a plastic frame ready to do a quick swap.  It was also not uncommon for musicians to replace a blown ribbon themselves using the thin aluminium foil that came in cigarette packets! Having heard the results this is not to be recommended……… but it worked!

Another bunch of likely lads with a Reslo RB. The Rolling Stones in 1963

The BBC Connection

In 1961 the BBC were looking around for small, unobtrusive microphones to use on TV. After serious deliberation, and thorough testing of the Reslo RBM/T, the Research Department concluded that ‘The performance of the microphone fell short of broadcasting standards’ (a night out at The Cavern would have told them that!).  However, the cheapness and robust construction of the RB was also noted, and they therefore suggested implementing a number of simple changes to the design which would bring it up to broadcasting specification. The full report can be read here…….

 1961 BBC Modifications.

The modified broadcast microphone is known as the Reslo VRM/T

The VRM/T was sold to the BBC for the princely sum of £10 per microphone.

Home Taping

The Reslo RB was also popular with amateur tape recording enthusiasts. Once again, it gave good results without breaking the bank. The British tape recorder manufacturer Ferrograph sold Reslos with some of their machines and made their own in-line transformers to match them to the input. Here is a review of the RB by Fred Judd, who edited Amateur Tape Recording magazine for a number of years……. ResloRB_review by F Judd

Reslos also appeared in re-badged versions for various equipment manufacturers including VOX and GEC.

Conclusion

Fronting many famous (and not-so-famous) names of the 60’s the Reslo RB has rightly earned a place in rock ’n’ roll history, and thanks to its solid design there are many examples still in circulation. With a bit of a clean and a new ribbon they will probably carry on rocking for another 60 years.

So what does the Reslo RB/L sound like?

CLICK HERE 

P.S.    If your Reslo RB needs re-ribboning or if you fancy upgrading to BBC spec http://xaudia.com/ do a fantastic job.

 

Remembering D-Day June 6th 1944

CLICKHEREJohn Snagge announces the D-Day Landings in France 75 years ago today.

The STC4017c was used by the BBC throughout World War 2 to broadcast many momentous events and speeches. Possibly the most important communication tool of the 20th century it was the first microphone robust enough to withstand the rigors of serious outside broadcasting in a war zone.

For more information https://martinmitchellsmicrophones.wordpress.com/2013/06/21/stc-4017c-dead-or-alive/