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Our Philosophy
Welcome to AMI, the home of TAB Funkenwerk,
custom transformers and Oahu products! 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, talking with the original engineers who designed the transformers
that drive the quality of sound in the historic Telefunken equipment, we refined the knowledge to build our own
custom transformers to meet the needs of a specific or new application. That's how we can 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 the historic C-12 microphones. We will continue to explore vintage technology and collaborate with working
engineers and producers to create products that solve their problems, while delivering that special, vintage sound with
parts that can be readily built or replaced. TAB Funkenwerk V78M: Now Goes up to 12!
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It's finally here! Our V78M is in full scale production with its new face and back plates. The new units use .54 inch aluminum bars that are then
milled, drilled, anodized and laser etched. The end result is a heavy duty piece of equipment that evokes a
vintage feel with numbers and lettering that will never wear away. In addition to the new face and back plates, the
switch lights are now back lit, the switches are all mounted on PCB's for better durability and the Make-up Gain switch features
12 gain selections rather than the former 11. This update is something that we are truly proud of and allows us to build
other future units on this same platform. Next up is our new V72M, and the CAD file for the front plate is currently being edited to accomodate the needs for that unit. The V77M will only require an art file change for laser etching on the plates. Putting all of our units onto the same platform
will allow us to create new products much more quickly than we previously could. If everything goes well, we should
be able to get out a single rack space compressor based on the historic V72s schematic before the end of summer. And
then we'll finally be able to move on to the 2 rack space units... 
It's Official: Lucas CS-4 Ready
for Ordering
The new Lucas CS-4 is officially launched. Inspired by the historic U47 mic design, this modern update has its own unique character and
features. We started with what is generally considered the best recreation of the original U47 capsule, the Thiersch
PVC M7, which has been customized for the Lucas CS-4. We then went out and secured a large quantity of high-end NOS
Telefunken tubes and are using our own custom made transformer. The body is constructed from the same Lucazite™
as the CS-1. The Lucas CS-4 combines the polarity patterns of the historic U47 and U48 mics, placing the controls on
the power supply like the historic M49. Incorporating a relay into the mic's circuitry allows the power supply to completely
shut off the back half of the capsule creating a true cardiod pattern. The goal was to create a mic that captures the
essence and intention of the historic U47 and U48 microphones while incorporating technology and materials not readily available
when the historic versions were designed and manufactured. We believe that the Lucas CS-4 will be as warmly received
as our Lucas CS-1 has been. You can go here to read more about the story of this mic and to order yours today as this production run will be limited just like the Lucas
CS-1. Replacement Microphone Transformers After taking a brief hiatus to get our production schedule under control,
we are ready to support our line of replacement microphone transformers. From the classic BV8, with either modern
or NOS lamination, to our custom designed T58, we can help you bring your vintage mic back from the dead, or make your ordinary
mic sound extraordinary. Click here to check our our current offerings. Special Deals for Members Only...
Starting this year, AMI will be offering to the members of our mailing list a variety
of special offers. Some of these will be offered first to those on the mailing list before the general public, while
other deals may be exclusive only to members of our mailing list. The offers will vary pending on what it is that we
would like to move at the time. For example, we may offer scratch and dent sales on our front list products directly
to consumers. Or we may put together a do-it-yourself mic kit with a mic body, NOS tube, transformer and schematic directions.
Or we may have some vintage gear or parts that we no longer have a use for in our business and we know that someone else could
put to good use. No matter what the deal is, in most cases you won't know about the deals unless you're on
our mailing list! To join, go here, sign up and check "yes" that you want to be on our 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 May 27, 2010) then you will need to re-sign
up with us here. We won't share or sell the list with any third parties. We just want you to get up to date information on our
products and promotions.
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