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| The Lucas CS-1 Microphone |
Microphones and Microphone Parts
Recording starts at the
microphone, which is why they are so important! In order to make a great recording you need two things; a great performance
and the ability to capture that great performance in a flattering way. Microphones are at the beginning of the recording
process and they also happen to be the ultimate translator. Sound waves are molecules of air put into
motion at varying frequencies and amplitudes. The capsule of the microphone captures the complex "image"
of those soundwaves and converts them into voltages, the buffer amplifier "enlarges" those voltages and the
transformer "translates" those voltages to a level that can be manipulated by various audio
processing units down stream. Some microphones are designed to capture the source exactly as it is heard in the
room. Others are designed to add flattering harmonics to the source. In either case, it is important to have a
mic system that works together; capsule, buffer amplifier (with or without a vacuum tube) and transformer.
AMI is involved with microphone manufacturing at many levels. We design
and build microphones systems, make transformers (historic and custom designs) and provide mic kits as replacement parts and
DIY projects for consumers.
AMI Mic Output Transformers
At AMI we specialize in building microphone output transformers.
Using the old winding techniques we are able to manufacture authentic sounding replacement transformers for vintage microphones
as well as custom designs for new microphone projects. You can experience the difference that a quality transformer
can bring to your mic with our T58 dynamic microphone transformer. This transformer can fit into
any dynamic microphone that has an inside diameter of .08" and can hold a transformer of 1" in length. If
you can use a soldering iron and epoxy with a moderate level of competency, you can perform this modification yourself.
Our T58 was designed to improve the high frequency response as well as the clarity of the source signal throughout the frequency
range. This simple transformer upgrade on a standard SM57 can provide you with a glimpse of how much a quality
transformer can improve the tone of even an inexpensive microphone. You can check out the T58 and all of our other
replacement transformers here.
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| Blackspade Acoustics UM17, designed and built by AMI |
Microphone Design and Production
Over the years, Oliver Archut and AMI have designed
and manufactured a number of microphones. Some have been one of a kind productions
that were made in house using our own metal shop for the metal work. Others have been larger production runs where we
outsource the metal work and build the buffer amplifiers and transformers in house and then do final assembly and testing.
Sometimes our relationship with the microphones are publicly stated (i.e. Lucas Engineering and Blackspade Acoustics) but
we also have clients where we are an undisclosed OEM manufacturer for their brand. In either case, if you are interested
in having AMI assist your company as an OEM parts supplier or manufacturer, you can contact us at sales@tab-funkenwerk.com and we can discuss your needs.
For a list of AMI's current and
past OEM partners you can click here.
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| AMI C12 Kit Prototype |
AMI Microphone Metal Work Kits
Recently, we started to produce metal work kits for microphones.
These kits are based on historic microphones so that they can be used not only for do it yourself kits but also as a source
of replacement parts for historic mics that might need a little TLC. We currently have U47 kits and parts in stock that customers have used to build their own mics and we've used them to refurbish historic U47's as well. Next up, we are working on a C12 microphone kit which should be available later this summer. For those who are interested in using our kits for manufacturing their
own microphones, you can contact us at sales@tab-funkenwerk.com to discuss volume pricing.
