Electro-Voice
Robert Bosch GmbH) | |
Website | electrovoice |
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Electro-Voice (EV) is an American manufacturer of
History
On September 1, 1927, Lou Burroughs and Albert R. Kahn began a small business called Radio Engineers, servicing
The partners recognized an opportunity to capitalize on what they perceived as the generally poor quality and high prices of existing microphones. They purchased a lathe and a drill and started producing about one microphone a week. Soon after, Burroughs withdrew from the business, leaving complete ownership to Kahn. By 1933, the previous business debts were completely paid off, and Electro-Voice began hiring manufacturing employees. In 1936, twenty people were hired, and Lou Burroughs returned as chief engineer.[1][3][4][5]
During World War II, EV developed the noise-canceling microphone. Noise cancelling microphones such as the Electro-Voice T45 lip microphone were instrumental to fighter and bomber airplane, tank, battleship and ground troop radio communications. EV licensed the patent to the government for free to be applied by other manufacturers to produce what was needed for the war supply.[1][4][6][7]
In 1946, the business moved to a bigger facility in Buchanan, Michigan and expanded its engineering efforts.[8] In 1948, they began successfully producing phonograph pickup cartridges.[7] In 1950, they started production of the first automatic TV booster.[7][9] They also started to design and produce a consumer loudspeaker line in response to increased public interest in high-fidelity music listening. In 1952, EV patented the Compound Diffraction Horn, which changed the look and performance the traditional cone-shaped paging horn.[10] Known for its high output, the CDP was deployed by the Navy on aircraft carriers and other high noise environments.[1]
In the mid-1950s, EV introduced the 664 dynamic microphone. It became known as "The Buchanan Hammer" when chief engineer Lou Burroughs demonstrated its durability during sales presentations by hammering nails into a board with it before using it for his public address. Buchanan referred to the company's Michigan headquarters.[11][12]
In 1963, EV received an
Electro-Voice launched its RE Series of microphones in the 1960s, notably the RE15, which was used extensively by musicians on television shows. The RE series used "Variable D" technology first developed by EV in 1953, which eliminated changes in tone and frequency response corresponding to changes in the physical distance of the sound source from the microphone.[1][4] The RE20 broadcast microphone was introduced in 1968, followed by the RE27N/D in the late 1980s, using neodymium magnets. Both continue to be used in recording studios and on the concert stage.
In the early 1970s, EV developed the first commercial system for
In 1978, Electro-Voice patented its Constant Directivity Horn, which produced an even balance of frequencies across the listening field. It overcame the uneven dispersion of high frequencies that affected the typical high frequency horns used in many professional sound speakers until the late seventies.[1]
Also in the 1970s, EV acquired TAPCO. The company, founded by Greg Mackie, specialized in audio mixers. TAPCO products soon became prominent in the EV product line.[1]
In the late 1980s, EV became the first microphone manufacturer to use
Mergers
The company merged with
In June 2006, EV, along with all of Telex Communications, became part of
Superfund site
The former Electro-Voice facility in
See also
References
- ^ a b c d e f g h Clark, Keith. "EV at 90: Powering the Passion of Performance for Nine Decades (and Counting)". ProSoundWeb.com. EH Publishing. Retrieved March 2, 2018.
- ^ a b "Electro-Voice Plant Closing in Buchanan". South Bend Tribune. November 9, 2001. Archived from the original on November 10, 2001. Retrieved April 1, 2008.
- ^ a b "About Us". Electro-Voice. Retrieved March 1, 2018.
- ^ a b c Clark, Keith. "A Historical Look at Electro-Voice". proaudioencyclopedia.com. Retrieved March 2, 2018.
- ISBN 978-1-135-94950-1.
- ^ DB: The Sound Engineering Magazine. Sagamore Publishing Company. 1986.
- ^ a b c d Kahn, Al (1953). "Time Capsule: History of Electro-Voice". ProSoundWeb.com. Archived from the original on December 12, 2008. Retrieved February 14, 2023.
- ^ "City of Buchanan, Berrien County, Michigan Reconnaissance - Level Survey Report, September 2012" (PDF). Locuspoke.us. City of Buchanan, Berrien County, Michigan. Retrieved March 2, 2018.
- ^ Popular Mechanics. Hearst Magazines. November 1950. pp. 227–.
- ^ US 2856467A, "Compound Diffraction Horn. Louis S. Hoodwin, Bridgman, Mich., assignor to Electro- Voice, Incorporated, Buchanan, Mich."
- ^ Winer, Ethan. "The Audio Expert: Everything You Need to Know About Audio". Taylor & Francis, 2017. Retrieved November 4, 2023.
- ^ Leerman, Craig. "Microfiles: Electro-Voice 664, The Legendary "Buchanan Hammer"". prosoundweb.com. ProSoundWeb. Retrieved November 4, 2023.
- ^ Billboard. Nielsen Business Media. January 16, 1971. pp. 90–.
- ^ SEC Info - Mark IV Industries Inc - 10-K - For 2/29/96 - EX-21
- ^ "Telex Communications Inc Annual Report". GetFilings.com.
- ^ Following the Telex Acquisition: Bosch Founds New Business Unit-Bosch Communications Systems-Established 1/1/2007 Electrovoice.com
- ISBN 978-1-59392-057-9.
- ^ "ElectroVoice Buchanan, MI". EPA.gov. United States Environmental Protection Agency. Retrieved March 2, 2018.
External links
- Official website
- Al Kahn Interview at NAMM Oral History Library (2002)
- Don Kirkendall Interview at NAMM Oral History Library (2002)
- Paul McGuire Interview at NAMM Oral History Library (2010)
- George Riley Interview at NAMM Oral History Library (2002)