What it is and what it was built for
A poly-directional ribbon microphone built for broadcast and studio use in 1954. Designed for voice, orchestral, and ensemble capture where pattern flexibility and tonal neutrality mattered more than raw output or durability.
How it works, in terms a player would use
It uses a 2.5-micron corrugated metal ribbon suspended under very little tension. Voltage is induced at right angles to both ribbon velocity and magnetic field direction. A rear-mounted rotating backshutter — adjusted with a screwdriver — changes directionality from omnidirectional to cardioid to figure-8. A 3-position switch controls low-frequency rolloff. Output impedance is user-selectable between 30, 150, and 250 ohms.
What it does better than anything else
It gives direct, physical control over polar pattern via a rotating backshutter—no electronics, no switches, just acoustic labyrinth adjustment. That mechanical precision, combined with its pressure-gradient ribbon design, yields consistent, smooth off-axis rejection across patterns.
What it does badly
It delivers low output: -50 to -56 dBm at 1 kHz, demanding clean, high-gain preamps. It offers no high-pass filtering beyond the fixed 3-position low-frequency rolloff. Its ribbon is fragile and cannot handle high SPLs or phantom power.
What people made with it
Broadcasters, radio engineers, and recording studios used it for voice-over, live orchestral pickup, and vocal tracking in the mid-20th century. Its directional versatility made it suitable for multi-source environments without repositioning.
Who should use it, and who should not
Studio engineers who own ribbon-optimised preamps and value hands-on pattern control. Not for beginners, live sound technicians, or anyone without a dedicated ribbon mic signal chain.
Is it worth your time
Yes—if you need a variable-pattern ribbon with tactile, tool-assisted pattern control and accept its modest output and fixed frequency response. No—if you require high sensitivity, modern noise floors, or plug-and-play operation.
