First of all, Happy New Year to everyone! By now, I’m sure you’re aware that 2016 is an election year. But whatever your party/candidate inclinations, 2016 brings great news, as political rallies and events all generate much needed $$$ into the pockets of sound companies paid to spread the message. So get out and be a part of the process (and collect some cash along the way) while helping create a piece of history.
Speaking of history, I’m frequently bummed by what is a near-complete awareness of audio history throughout our industry. It’s not entirely your fault, as the development of professional sound technology is not exactly a common course at any school, audio or otherwise. With that goal in mind, I founded the TECnology Hall of Fame in 2004 (originally presented at AES and now presented at Winter NAMM), as a way to bring recognition to the products and people that shaped audio technology today.
It’s a sad state of affairs that few in our industry are aware of some of the pioneers that forever changed pro audio. Unfortunately, the names of inventors like George Campbell (audio equalizer, 1915); Chester Rice and Edward Kellogg (modern dynamic loudspeaker, 1925); Edward Wente and Albert Thuras (HF compression driver in 1926 and dynamic microphone in 1928) — and hundreds more are nearly forgotten, yet their work affects what we do every day.
In keeping the spirit of audio awareness alive, I will be presenting 10 new innovations (to the list of 130 previous inductees) for the NAMM TECnology Hall of Fame on Saturday, Jan. 23 at 4 p.m. in Room 202 at the Anaheim Convention Center. All NAMM attendees are invited. Among this year’s inductees (including 1928’s development of the decibel unit) are two products that are celebrating 50th anniversaries in 2016: The Shure SM58 and the Neumann KM84, which both debuted in 1966.
History? Boring? Never!
Yet history doesn’t have to be boring. Both the SM58 and KM84 have interesting stories to tell. The KM84 cardioid condenser (replaced in 1994 by the updated KM184) was the first microphone to use the now-standard 48-volt phantom powering system invented by Georg Neumann and its low-noise FET electronics and ultra-compact 110mm body made it a hit with audio engineers everywhere. So think of Georg Neumann the next time you punch that 48 VDC switch on your next gig.
And now, five decades later and still in production, the SM58 was developed by Shure engineer Ernie Seeler, who created the Unidyne III cardioid capsule, based on a diaphragm design that offered uniform deflection characteristics over a wide frequency range without “break-up.” Seeler, who created the SM57 a year earlier, modified that design with a ball-shaped pop filter and the enduring SM58 was born. Ironically, Seeler was a classical music fan who hated rock ‘n’ roll, yet was responsible for two of the mics that 50 years later, remain a mainstay of rock music.
Not that everyone needs to live in the past. I for one, would not relish still having to drag a trailer full of Altec A-7 Voice of the Theatre cabinets and Crown DC300 amplifiers to my next gig (been there, done that), when there’s no shortage of self-powered, network-controllable, more compact and lighter weight alternatives available. But at the same time, it’s nice to know that some audio classics live on in everyday use.
Speaking of history, this month we visit audio pioneer (and Parnelli Audio Innovator Award recipient) Bob Heil, who made more that a little audio history of his own, working with The Who, The Grateful Dead, Joe Walsh, Peter Frampton and countless others, while still staying quite active with his successful microphone franchise. Check that out on page 36.
And all indicators are pointing to another record-setting Winter NAMM Show this month. For a sneak preview of some of the show’s new product debuts, turn to page 26; and we will present our complete coverage (including FOH_TV videos) of NAMM highlights in next month’s issue. And if you’re in Anaheim, stop by Booth 4607 and say hello to the FRONT of HOUSE and Timeless Communications crew. See you there!
Catch George’s editorial commentary on www.fohonline.com/tv.
