Vintage Audio Technology for the Modern Studio

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Our Philosophy

Welcome to AMI, Inc.!  Home of AMI transformers, TAB Funkenwerk pre-amps and The Oahu.  Our mission is to research vintage audio design and manufacturing techniques, understand how it achieves its quality of sound and then use that knowledge to create new products based on the needs of today's audio engineers.  For example, we talked directly to the engineers who designed the transformers in the historic Telefunken equipment and used that knowledge to build our own custom transformers to meet the needs of new applications.  That's how we achieve 76 dB of gain out of a historic V72 circuit that typically yielded 34 dB (our V77M Ribbon Mic Pre) and how the Lucas CS-1 achieves its tremendous "reach" with less proximity effect than historic C12 microphones.  We collaborate with working engineers and producers to create products that solve their problems and deliver vintage sound with parts that can be readily built or replaced.

    

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Historic Telefunken Steel Tubes

This article is the first part in a three part series where Oliver writes about the development of the VF14 steel tube and its many relatives.  Oliver not only has a vast source of period books, white papers and articles on the development of the VF14 but also collects various steel tubes including prototypes, boxes and tubes made for short runs at factories.  Read along to find out more information on the audio world's most notorious vacuum tube.

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AMI U47 Kit Assembly Guide

Thanks to a number of requests, Oliver decided to build up one of our AMI U47 kits and take pictures along the way.  This guide will assist folks in building up this kit by showing the order in which Oliver builds his microphones, tips on how to assemble different sections and serves as a general overview of building your own microphone.

    

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Blackspade Microphones Shipping

Well it's taken a long time to get here but after launching the Blackspade UM17 a year ago, it's brothers the UM17R, UM25 and UM25C are now at a point where they are shipping out of our facility in Kansas and Blackspades facility in Switzerland.  So far, the reaction has been that they are worth the wait.  Contact your local dealer to find out about pricing and availability.  Check out the mics here on our website and then see what folks have to say on Facebook at either AMI, Inc. or Blackspade Acoustics.

    
    

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Cascade Fat Head mic with AMI TR42 Transformer

Cascade Microphones with AMI Transformers

Thanks to the help of Stephen Bright of Cathedral Guitars and the folks at Cascade Microphones, you can now get your favorite Cascade Microphones with AMI TR42 transformers pre-installed in them. Contact the folks at Cascade Microphones or Stephen Bright to find out more about this combo.

Special Deals for Members Only...

Now there are more reasons to join AMI's mailing list!  In addition to getting e-mail announcements with new articles by Oliver and updates on products, we also offer opportunities for special deals and offers only to members of our mailing list.  These offers will vary from special pricing on new products, dent and scratch sales or vintage gear that we no longer need as samples.  No matter what the deal is, you won't know about the deals unless you're on our mailing list!  To join, go here and sign up for the mailing list.  If you think you're already on our mailing list but have not received any of our e-mail newsletters (last one went out on April 15, 2012) then you will need to re-sign up with us here.  We won't share or sell the list to any third parties.  We just want you to get up to date information on our products and promotions.

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Come check out our new AMI, Inc. Facebook page!