American Microphone Company D9A 1940's Vintage

Up for offering is a super cool vintage microphone! Designed by American Microphone Company in California in the late 1930's and used by scores of radio and film stars of Hollywood's golden age, the D9A is often mistaken as a ribbon mic.  Advertising from the early days described it as  ‘a pressure-velocity combination microphone’ which led some folks to think that the ‘velocity’ element must be a ribbon (like the Western Electric/Altec 639). However, the 2 elements are clearly both dynamic. One pressure element (omni) sealed at the back, and one velocity element (Fig of 8) open at the back. The signals from these 2 elements are combined to produce a cardioid directional response. I can’t off hand think of another microphone that is configured in this way using 2 separate dynamic elements...a unique offering for sure!

The microphone is in good working order, but one of the mounting screws has been broken off. With a little creative mounting, this can be and absolutely killer mic for your studio, or a great looker for any retro infused podcast or YouTube!