M
M Havlen
New member
What are the best American made mic's ?
H
holder
New member
I didn't know that mics were still made in the U.S.
Radio Shack maybe?
Radio Shack maybe?
C
chessrock
Banned
Not sure if there are many left, sad to say. 
Earthworks comes to mind as probably the finest American-made mics. These are some very high-end, boutiqueish, and expensive mics, though. Their accuracy probably suits them better for classical or jazz rather than anything pop/rock oriented.
Manley Labs (Chino, CA) are another very high-endish, expensive manufacturer. They're probably not as famous for their mics as they are for their outboard gear, but I don't think any of us would be kicking any of their tube mics out of our studios.
If you mean assemebled in america, designed and based in American then I'd have to say, in order:
Shure (Evanston, IL)
Audio Technica (Stow, Ohio)
CAD -- not their Global Audio division -- (Conneaut Ohio)
Earthworks comes to mind as probably the finest American-made mics. These are some very high-end, boutiqueish, and expensive mics, though. Their accuracy probably suits them better for classical or jazz rather than anything pop/rock oriented.
Manley Labs (Chino, CA) are another very high-endish, expensive manufacturer. They're probably not as famous for their mics as they are for their outboard gear, but I don't think any of us would be kicking any of their tube mics out of our studios.
If you mean assemebled in america, designed and based in American then I'd have to say, in order:
Shure (Evanston, IL)
Audio Technica (Stow, Ohio)
CAD -- not their Global Audio division -- (Conneaut Ohio)
meriphew
New member
C
chessparov
New member
Put AEA on the list too, per end user accounts.
Most likely, the upcoming Stephan Paul microphone also.
(anyone want to take a bet on that?)
Chris
Most likely, the upcoming Stephan Paul microphone also.
(anyone want to take a bet on that?
) Chris
S
Sklathill
Soundcard Junkie
I think Audix also makes their mics here. (At least their higher end ones...)
B
Beltrom
New member
chessrock said:Not sure if there are many left, sad to say.
Manley Labs (Chino, CA) are another very high-endish, expensive manufacturer. They're probably not as famous for their mics as they are for their outboard gear, but I don't think any of us would be kicking any of their tube mics out of our studios.
Not trying to knock them. Never heard a Manley. But i think they're at least part Chinese. At least used to be. There was a discussion on this (I believe at RAP) a year ago or so. Even Ms Manley herself attended.
Of course they can still be great mics, and I'm not sure what "Made in USA" or "Made in Sweden" means nowadays anyway.
In the late eighties I worked for a circuit board manufacturer. We received an order from Texas Instruments (US). The paperwork came from Great britain, the boards said "Made in Italy" and we made the boards in Sweden. Now tell me the country of origin?
(True story btw - and not to far off from the ordinary situation)
D
DJL
Self Banned
You mean assemebled in America.... and I'm not convinced. How much are you willing to bet I'd like the SPA mic?chessparov said:Most likely, the upcoming Stephan Paul microphone also.
(anyone want to take a bet on that?
Chris
C
chessparov
New member
Yeah, from what I understand Stephan preferred it was made here, instead of abroad.
There's some top shelf stuff like the Viper pre, etc., made in China FWIW.
Chris
There's some top shelf stuff like the Viper pre, etc., made in China FWIW.
Chris
D
DJL
Self Banned
Oh yeah... who's making the capsules and etc for him in the USA?
C
chessparov
New member
Not sure.
I suppose there's a possibility he may even want to personally visit the factory to check things out (my speculation only).
That would be a smart reason to keep in the States, if that's
what he's aiming for IMHO.
Chris
I suppose there's a possibility he may even want to personally visit the factory to check things out (my speculation only).
That would be a smart reason to keep in the States, if that's
what he's aiming for IMHO.
Chris
C
chessrock
Banned
This is an instance where even I have to throw props to Stephen.
Some of the better mics out there for the price seem to use the "get the capsules from abroad, and assemble it all here" philosophy.
It seems to make a lot more sense from a quality control perspective. Plus you get the cost savings of having the more expensive components supplied from overseas.
Guys like Rode (capsules shipped to Australia from 797), Groove Tubes (capsules made in Shanghai), and CAD (Chinese capsules) seem to be able to make some mics that way . . . and I can't deny that most of those are a sizeable step up in quality from the all-Chinese varieties . . . while only a small step up in price.
Some of the better mics out there for the price seem to use the "get the capsules from abroad, and assemble it all here" philosophy.
It seems to make a lot more sense from a quality control perspective. Plus you get the cost savings of having the more expensive components supplied from overseas.
Guys like Rode (capsules shipped to Australia from 797), Groove Tubes (capsules made in Shanghai), and CAD (Chinese capsules) seem to be able to make some mics that way . . . and I can't deny that most of those are a sizeable step up in quality from the all-Chinese varieties . . . while only a small step up in price.
meriphew
New member
D
Dot
New member
chessrock said:Not sure if there are many left, sad to say.
Earthworks comes to mind as probably the finest American-made mics. These are some very high-end, boutiqueish, and expensive mics, though. Their accuracy probably suits them better for classical or jazz rather than anything pop/rock oriented.
Manley Labs (Chino, CA) are another very high-endish, expensive manufacturer. They're probably not as famous for their mics as they are for their outboard gear, but I don't think any of us would be kicking any of their tube mics out of our studios.
If you mean assemebled in america, designed and based in American then I'd have to say, in order:
Shure (Evanston, IL)
Audio Technica (Stow, Ohio)
CAD -- not their Global Audio division -- (Conneaut Ohio)
AT mics are "made in Japan" from parts manufactured in Chinese factories.
Dan Richards
Digital Pro Sound
The Listening Sessions
D
Dot
New member
ADK has a new division called Stealth Pro Audio that has products that are all "made in the USA. There's some info about it here. They have some very very cool stuff coming out.
Dan Richards
Digital Pro Sound
The Listening Sessions
Dan Richards
Digital Pro Sound
The Listening Sessions
c7sus
Disenfranchised Member
D
DJL
Self Banned
The new SM57's are made in America... central America.
Fletcher
New member
The Manley "Gold Reference" microphone is 100% made in Amerikkka... the "Cardioid Reference" uses the same Chinese capsule as whatever their cardioid only FET condenser employs... the amplifiers are fully US manufactured.
Soundelux's capsules are made in Germany... I have no idea where Gene Lawson gets his capsules.
David Josephson makes all his own stuff... and the capsules for the Manley 'Gold Reference' and from what I understand, a couple of others [though I never asked which others]
Soundelux's capsules are made in Germany... I have no idea where Gene Lawson gets his capsules.
David Josephson makes all his own stuff... and the capsules for the Manley 'Gold Reference' and from what I understand, a couple of others [though I never asked which others]
H
holder
New member
It is standard canabalistic capitalism.
WE save money by making them in China, but we want the U.S. to buy them, but they don't have the money to buy them, because we quit paying them the money to make them . . . BLA BLA BLA.
"If my workers can't afford my cars, who can?"--Henry Ford.
Oh by the way, Henry Ford HATED Jews!!!
Death to Amerika! Payback time is coming!
WE save money by making them in China, but we want the U.S. to buy them, but they don't have the money to buy them, because we quit paying them the money to make them . . . BLA BLA BLA.
"If my workers can't afford my cars, who can?"--Henry Ford.
Oh by the way, Henry Ford HATED Jews!!!
Death to Amerika! Payback time is coming!
D
DJL
Self Banned
Humm 
