Object ID:
1992.292
Title:
Western Electric 630-A "Eight-Ball" Microphone with acoustic baffle assembly
Creator:
Western Electric
Description:
Heavy round nickel-plated cast brass base with three tiered form, black rubber disk at base of stand pole, copper wire chase leads from base of pole to edge of base; nickel-plated brass adjustable height 2-piece pipe stand pole, thumb washer in middle allows smaller diameter upper section to slide upward and lock in place; black enameled grip at top of pole; microphone mounted to pole on hinge allowing angle to be adjusted; microphone is ball-shaped with "acoustic baffle assembly" mounted to top with three screws; cast into body "Western Electric U.S.A. 630A 1180."
Date:
ca. 1940
Made by:
Western Electric
Collection:
assemblyAPH Collection
Provenance:
Microphone used in the recording studio at the American Printing house for the Blind, circa 1940. APH began recording talking books for the National Library Service in 1937.
The omnidirectional dynamic microphone was developed at Bell Labs in the late 1920s. Western Electric developed a dynamic mic in the late 1930s that was omnidirectional to 15 kHz. Called the 630A, it was better known as the Eight-Ball, resembling an eight-ball used on a pool table. The "acoustic baffle assembly" converted an omnidirectional mic into a semi-directional mic useful for studio work at APH.
The omnidirectional dynamic microphone was developed at Bell Labs in the late 1920s. Western Electric developed a dynamic mic in the late 1930s that was omnidirectional to 15 kHz. Called the 630A, it was better known as the Eight-Ball, resembling an eight-ball used on a pool table. The "acoustic baffle assembly" converted an omnidirectional mic into a semi-directional mic useful for studio work at APH.
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Stand microphone
Stand microphone