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Museum of Magnetic Sound RecordingTheophilus/ Reel2ReelTexas
This is a list of our vintage open reel, analog reel to reel tape recording collection for items beginning with "A." As time permits we'll be building links to more pictures, a bit of history about our items, catalog listings and some recent pricing information. PLEASE NOTE: None of the Reel2ReelTexas.com's Vintage Museum pieces are for sale. This listing is provided to reflect our collection. Page dedicated to our microphone collection
B-D E-K L-O P-R S T U-Z
A reminder that the prices listed are what the item originally sold for in the year it was released.
ADC Linear Turntable
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Akai Terecorder 1958 (Akai was not sold in US until 1971)
Company information
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Akai Stereo Terecorder 1959
Akai produced over 100 models of reel to reel tape recorders. This is one we had not seen previously. When stereo came along, it looks like Akai created their first stereo recorder by adding a 2 track head, stereo outputs and a second smaller unit to house the second channel electronics and speaker. This unit has a switchable head to go from Full track to 2 channel Half track. Pretty cool unit. Most unusual styling.
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Akai 33D & R220 1962 (according to parts ID)
 pdf of more pages
Akai 33D with 10" reel extenders - Photo by Dave Hutton from his collection, as seen on Steven L. Bender’s Akai Web site
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Akai X-300 1967
View Real Player movie of the Roberts version
This recorder was produced in 1967 under the Akai, Rheem and Roberts names. In the above picture, that's our Roberts on top and the Akai below. Click here to see the listings for the Rheem and Roberts.
Roberts 5000X listing in 1968 Allied Radio catalog
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Akai GX-400D-SS 1973 $1.495 '73 ad
'74 ad
  
 
 
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Akai GX-77 1981 ad 1982 $995
view brief Real Player video clip
'81 ad $775
We were recently told by a Broadcast engineer that this Akai and several others of the last high end recorders were built for Akai by Fostex...interesting.
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Akai GX-747 1981-1983 $1,200 1981 ad
view brief Real Player video clip
 
 
 
1981 - 1983 brochure p1 p2
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Akai X-2000SD $549.95
'72 ad
1973 catalog listing On sale $495
1973 directory listing
Here's the Akai version of the Roberts 333X
Not in collection
Roberts 333X 1971 - 1973 $549.95
'71 catalog listing
Ad
Movie of Roberts 333X working - Real Player
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Akai Invert-O-Matic
cassette player
Company information
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Altec Lansing Seville VOT
This set of Altec speakers were acquired when Phantom (Highland Sound Co) was representing Balco Sound in Alpine in 1968. They are working well a are part of the Surround Sound system in the present studio.
'67 brochure listing
'69 ad
'68 catalog listing $213.30
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Altec 1592B
click on pictures for larger view
 
 
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Altec 633C 1950 ad 1953 ad
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Altec 677B
 
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American Microphone D4T
1941 View catalog listing
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American Microphone D22
1950 Review 1950 ad
'54 ad
 
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Amperite Velocity
1941 catalog listing
(no longer in collection)
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Ampex Audio Recorders TimeLine
This information is based on ad and catalog information in our collection
1947 - 1948 Model 200A $7,200 > $5,200
Bing Crosby bought 20 Ampex 200As for $4,000 each with a 60% down payment in 1948. In April 1948 two 200As went to Jack Mullin for the Cosby Show and many of the others went to ABC to do tape delayed broadcasts.
- Model 201 - As the result of progress made with the Ampex 300 in ealy 1949, Ampex decided to retrofit all the 200A's with the better electronics. This upgrade was released on June 15,1949. The remaining Ampex 200As were releasd as 201s.
1949 - Model 300 - $1,550 1949
1950 - 1953 Series 400 $985 pic 2
1953 - Model 350 replaced 400, Ampex 450 (background music) name Ampex Corp adopted, 402C, 403C, 403P
1954 - Model 600, Speaker 620, Ampex prosumer Series "A" Stereo models A121, A122,& Mono models A111 & A112 Later called 960
1955 Ampex 350 and 600 Stereo has arrived
1956 Ampex 612 Ampex Models List Data recorders, S-5290 (basically a 601 mono set up for stereo and later called 601-2
1957 Ampex 8 channel Les Paul
1958 - 1965 AG 351 $1,675 601 & A112
1958 Ampex 351, Ampex 601-2 stereo, Ampex prosumer 960 Caprice,
1959 Ampex 601 and 601-2, Model 910 Universal "A", Ampex prosumer 960, 970
1960 Model 970 Model 351, Model 351-C
1961 Ampex The Fine Line Ampex prosumer 1200, 1250, 1260, 1270, Ampex 934, 936
1962 Redwood City facility ground breaking, Ampex 970, Ampex 960, 934 & Fine Line 1200
1963 Ampex moved into Redwood City facility, Ampex prosumer Fine Line F-44, Ampex 351-2P, Ampex 1250 & 2012 Speaker system, 601, 601-2 & PR-10, MX-35, 351 & 352
1964 MR-70, PR-10, F-44, 602-1 & 602-2, PR-10-2 - Ampex prosumer 2050, 2070, 2080, F-4460 & F-4470
1965 Ampex 602, 602-1, Ampex prosumer 860, 1070, 1160, 2070 duplicators, F-44, 4450, 4452, 4460, 2050, 2060, 2070, 1070,1050, 1080, 850, 961, 1161, 2161, Ampex Music Center
1966 AG-300, AG-350, solid state, PR-10, Ampex 600 Solid State, Ampex prosumer 860, 1160, 2060, 840
1967 AG-440 series, AG-500 series, AG-600, 602, 602-2, Ampex prosumer 850, 861, 1150, 1161, 2050, 2061, AV 770, 961, 1161, 2161, Ampex Music Center
1968 AG-500, AA-620 speaker system, AM-10, Ampex prosumer 755, 1455, 1461, 1461A reversing, 750, 761, 850, 861, 895, 1150, 1161, 2050, 2150, 2061
1969 AG-440B, AG-445, AG-500, AG-600 prosumer 755, 761, 861, 1461, 2161 $449, AM-10, 985, 1161, 750,
1970 AG-600, AG-500, AG440B, Ampex prosumer 755A, 767, 985A, 1455A, 1467, 2150, 2161,
1971 prosumer AX-300 $599.00, 2161, AX-50, 755A, Broadcast recorder ABR10 & ABR 15, AG440B, AM10 & MX 35
1972 - AG-600 Solid State
1973
1974 AG-440X MM-1100 AG-440C
1975 AG-440C MM-1100 ATR-700
1976 ATR-700 ATR-100 MM-1200
1977 MM-1200 AG-440C
1978 ATR-700 ATR-100 MM-1200
1979 ATR-100 ATR-124 MM-1200
1980 ATR-100, ATR-700 ATR-124
1981 MM-1100 ATR-124
1982 ATR 800 $5,450
1983 ATR-700 ATR-100 ATR-116 $48,500 ATR-124 $62,500 was the last Ampex reel tape recorder only 62 were made
Ampex Basic Concepts of Tape Recording
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Ampex 200-A
Ampex 200-AAmpex 200-A 1947 to 1948 originally $5,000, then lowered to $3,000 when Magnecord PT-6 came out for $750.
1948 Ampex 200-A brochure 1949 ad Oct 1948 Audio Eng ReviewAmpex 200-A Serial #33
Our Ampex 200-A was originally bought from Bing Crosby Enterprises, Inc. by Capitol Records in Los Angeles, California. The news clips below detail some information regarding ABC and Capitol Records decisions to acquire the new technology. Our Ampex 200-A was subsequently acquired by Leo De Gar Kulka, known in the record and recording industry as "the Baron" and remembered for his recording of Frank Sinatra, Nat King Cole, among others. We were told that "the Baron" was always striving to keep up with the latest technology. The Ampex 200-A we acquired was upgraded to stereo using Inovonics amps. We initially were going to restore the recorder to its original state. However after learning more about the history of the unit, we have decided to work to acquire the original electronics, but will leave the unit as is for now. We also have Capitol Records detail regarding the Ampex 200-A, #33's upgrade in 1949. This upgrade to the Ampex 201 specs involved the replacing of the original head cover and installing an Ampex 300 head cover and tape lifters. View the Capitol Records documents here. They also updated this Ampex 200A in 1954 and 1955.
 
Ampex 200A with Ampex 201 electronics and Inovonice electronics.
Go to more about Phantom's Ampex 200-A and the development history of the early Ampex recorders.
View video of the trip from Texas to California (3,585 miles in 4 - 12 to 13 hour days) to pick up the Ampex 200-A and Ampex 300.
Company information
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Ampex 201
pdf of the Ampex 201 electronics
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Ampex 300 1951 $1595.00
Work began on the Ampex 300 in November, 1948. First 50 were delivered in May of 1949. The 300 reduced the size of the recorder, reels from 14" to 10.5 and the speed was reduced to 15 ips. Over 32,000 were sold and was available into the 1970's.
1949 ad 1949 #2 pdf of the Ampex 300 transport electronics
1949 Review page 1 page 2
1951 ad 51 ad #2
52 ad 1959 Ampex 300 manual sample pages
Go to more about Phantom's Ampex 200-A and the development history of the early Ampex recorders.
  
Restored Ampex 300 reel tape recorder amplifier • pdf of additional pics
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Ampex 400 1950 $895
1951 ad 1951 Ad 51 Radio Shack cat Ampex 400 Manual excerpts
1952 ad 1952 ad #2 1952 ad #3 1952 ad #4
'53 brochure prices
53 ad #1 53 ad #2 53 ad #3 53 ad #4 53 ad #5
Les Paul and Mary Ford with Ampex 400's he received from Bing Crosby and a Berlant Concertone 1401.
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Ampex 600 (tube) $545
(54, 55, 55, 56, 57, 58, 59)
'54 ad specs '54 #2
w/Ampex 620 amplifier speaker
This is the first "professional" recorder martin used to record University recitals, band & choir concerts; musicals and was taken on tour from 1964 to 1968.
We thought it interesting that this Ampex 600 and 620 were acquired from a seller located on Sunset 3 blocks from its intersection with Vine in Hollywood (this is the area where Jack Mullin taped the first Bing Crosby radio shows). We contacted Ampex, however, they would not release the identity of the original owner based on the serial number.
'53 Ad
'54 ad #1 '54 ad #2 '54 ad #3
'56 catalog listing
'56 AD
'56 Allied Hi-fi issue listing
view pages from 1965 manual
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Ampex 351 '58-'65 $1,675
This Ampex 351 was donated to our collection by John King (brother-in-law) who acquired it from a radio station in Dallas, Texas. This unit and its remote were restored by Phantom Productions in 2010. View movie - Win Media QuickTime
'58 ad '60 ad#1 '60 ad #2 '63 catalog
1963 McGee Radio catalog ad
manual Jack Mullin with Ampex 351s in the early '60's
How it looked with work in progress
 
  
 
Company information
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Ampex 351/Accurate Sound 300 SS amplifier rebuilt by Accurate Sound Company of San Angelo, Texas. We were advised by the seller that Accurate Sound bought the last 250 Ampex 351 amplifiers and re-branded them.
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Ampex AG-350 Solid State 1958 $1,315.00
This Ampex 350 was donated to our collection by John King (brother-in-law) who acquired it from a radio station in San Angelo, Texas.
Ampex AG-350 Brochure '58 info
Ampex Professional Products Catalog Mid '60s
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Ampex 601 (tube) (56,57,58, 59, 60, 61) $545
with 620 amplifier speaker
This Ampex 601 was incredibly maintained. It runs perfectly and looks like it just came out of the factory. Here's a photo of the inside.
Date: Saturday, August 4, 2001 8:23 PM
Subject: Re: AMPEX 601 REEL TO REEL RECORDER
Martin: I'm glad Dad's AMPEX is the hands of someone who appreciates it as
much as he did.
Thanks again David Manion
Ampex 601 playing 1974 Rolling Stone interview with Joan Baez for radio promotion.
'56 Catalog listing '58 info
'59 Catalog listing '59 catalog listing #2
'61 catalog listing '61 catalog listing #2
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Ampex 351 remote 1960 ad $85
Ampex / Irish / Quantegy / magnetic recording tape 1950's
Our collection includes an unopened box of Irish magnetic reel to reel recording tape from Opilika, Alabama.
 
The company was created at the end of World War II by Major John Herbert Orr as Orradio Industries. This was a result of the US Army requiring an American supplier of magnetic tape. Magnetic tape was a German invention and after the war, the German manufacturing ability was destroyed.
In 1959, Ampex acquired Orradio Industries and it became the Ampex Magnetic Tape Division.
In 1995, Ampex divested this division, then called the Ampex Recording Media Corporation. At the same time, 3M was also spinning off its magnetic media division. Equitable Life Insurance acquired these combined entities, which became Quantegy, Inc., and later changed its name to the current Quantegy Recording Solutions, with the Ampex product line being the nominal survivor, although much use of the 3M technologies later found their way into Quantegy products including the high end GP9 tape.
In January 2005, having previously filed for bankruptcy protection, Quantegy closed its manufacturing facility in Opelika. This event received substantial media attention.
On April 18, 2005, Quantegy resumed operations under new ownership.
In January 2007, Quantegy announced that it will cease production of magnetic tape in April 2007 and is taking orders up until February 22. The only remaining manufacturers of new magnetic tape for sound recording are RMGI and ATR Magnetics.
In April 2007, Reel Deal Pro Audio purchased the majority of Quantegy's reel to reel audio tape and accessories and began to sell it on their web site Reel Deal Pro Audio.
In June 2007, Quantegy ceased sales of the FHD and Black Diamond FHD3 series of hard drive products to the professional audio recording industry.
As of 2009 Quantegy was working on reviving Quantegy 456 Studio Mastering Tape, Quantegy 499 Gold Studio Mastering Tape, GP9 Platinum Studio Mastering Tape, as well as the Black Diamond Series of products. But as of 2012, no progress had been made. Most of the tape production facilities were sold or dismantled following the 2007 bankruptcy. Thus a third revival of [new] Quantegy products looks to be in much doubt. - Wikipedia
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Ampex 601-2 (56,57,58, 59, 60, 61) $995
Originally named the S-5290 in 1956
'56 info '58 info '59 ad
'60 catalog listing
'61 catalog listing '61 catalog listing #2
Pictured with Electro Voice 665
Note Ampex alignment tape in photo
view pages from 1965 manual interesting that Ampex had moved to the newer design knobs, however were still tube units.
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Ampex 960 (60, 61, 62)
$650
Promotional slide rule
Ampex promo page 1 page 2
'58 info
'60 Lafayette Catalog Listing $650.00
'60 BA catalog listing
'61 catalog listing $495.00
'62 Catalog Listing '62 Catalog listing #2
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Ampex F44 Fine Line
1963-1965 $595
'63 ad '65 catalog
 
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Ampex 602-1 1964 $625
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Ampex 960 (64- 70)
'65 catalog listing $399.95
'67 catalog listing $399.95
'70 ad
Movie
Unit at Highland Sound/Phantom Productions, Inc. in 1967
No longer in collection
Company information
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Ampex 2100 (64- 70) $439 1964 1967 bro
Newer version with meters (above)
Older early deck with magic eye meters (below) The older 2100 deck is no longer in our collection.
'64 review of Ampex 2070 Page 2
'64 spec summary of Ampex 2000
'65 summary Ampex recorders
'65 McGee catalog listing '65 Radio Shack
'66 ad spec page
'67 ad '67 brochure '68 Directory 69 Olson '70 ad
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Ampex 761 (64-70)
'68 ad
'69 catalog listing $329.00 '69 Directory $425
'70 catalog listing
'70 ad '70ad #2
'70 ad Ampex 1467
Company information
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Ampex AG-440 in Console
'67 AG 440 catalog listing
'71 AG 440 catalog listing
AG-440 brochure
1974 review - page 1 page 2
Company information
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Ampex AG-445B
1967 $2760.00
'67 AG 440 catalog listing
'71 AG 440 catalog listing
Remote Control for all Ampex AG-440s
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Ampex H-1390 matched pair
Ampex Slimair
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Ampex AG500 (1968) play video clip
60lbs $1,537 '67 brochure '68 Review '68 ad
69 catalog listing '70 catalog listing
Manual pages 1 2 3 4 5 6
'67 Ampex brochure
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Ampex AA-620
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Ampex 602
'68 mono $625 Stereo $875
'68 ad page #1 Page #2 Page #33
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Ampex AM-10 1969 $499
Ampex listing 1967 '69 McGee Catalog 1969 Ampex ad
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Ampex AG-600 (transistor)
1967 -1971 $720.00 '67 ad page 2 Specs
Ampex Brochure page 1
Ampex Brochure page 2
'70 catalog listing
'71 catalog listing
'66 ad#1
'66 ad#2
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Ampex AG-600 -2 (transistor)
1967 - 1971 $1,010.00
Ampex Brochure page 1
Ampex Brochure page 2
'70 catalog listing
'71 catalog listing Movie
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Ampex AX-300
1971 $695
'71 Directory listing
remote
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AMPEX ATR-700 1975 $1,995
'75 ad '76 brochure '80 brochure
'76 ad 1978 $1,795
Ampex ATR-700 by Dell PC with Bing Crosby book in the background (and Ampex winter cap)
The Ampex ATR-700 was built for Ampex by Teac. Here is the almost identical unit in the Teac line called the A-7300.
Company information
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AMPEX ATR-100 1976 $23,900
Added 2nd channel
Added stand
1976 ads
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Ampex ATR 800 1982 $5,450
1982 announcement 1982 ad
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Ampex Golden Reel Award
1982 This was one of the first 250 Ampex Golden Reel Awards... The inscription reads "A reel of recording tape is unfulfilled until the magic of an artist's performance and the creative talents of a technical and artistic team give it life."
1982 Ampex Gold reel Award ad featuring Barbra Streisand
1982 Hall and Oats Ampex Gold Reel award ad
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Ampex Micro 7 cassette recorder 1970 $89.95
(included to show other items Ampex branded)
Ampex Micro 7 with Sony TCS-310
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Ampex PR260
While many Ampex and other reel tape recorders went to recording studios and broadcast stations, a large percentage went to data recording (especially Ampex & Magnecord) . We provide this Ampex/Teac PR260using 1/2" tape and running at speeds from 15/16/ to 30 ips, as an example of some of the data recorders. This is a closed loop, however we don't have much additional info. Ampex Data Brochure
 
     
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Ampex Frequency Wavelength Calculator for Ampex Instrumentation Tapes
This Ampex calculator was donated by Jim Ferguson. It belonged to his Dad, Lester N. Ferguson who wrote the Magnetic Tape Recording Handbook published by the U.S, Army (1966), then Sylvania and Hewlett Packard (1967 & 1970).
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Amplicorp Magnemite 610 VU
with Brush head - 1958 - $315 to $425 • view video View brochure
Gotta love the Amplifier Corp's Magnemite field recorder capabilities description "Ideal for any expedition, heading anywhere in the world. Specifically designed to operate with suitable accessories at the North Pole,the Equator, in African Jungles or the Sahara Desert. May be used on the back of an elephant, camel, in a jeep, jet, or submarine."
 
 
 
 
Company information 1958 ad more info
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Ampro 731 1951 - 1952
Company information
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Argonne AR-309
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Astatic D104
1942 catalog listing
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Astatic DR-10 $39.95 1950 ad 1951 ad
'54 catalog listing DR-11
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Audio Technica AT818
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Audio Technica 4033a
Microphones in the Museum of Magnetic Sound Recording
Calrad VN-12, Sony C37, AudioTechnica 4033, RCA Varacoustic, RCA Aeropressure, RCA D77, ElectroVoice 66.
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