POWERHOUSE COLLECTION

AKG microphones

Object No. 2013/72/6

These high-end, professional recording microphones were used in a recording studio in Sydney, Australia in the 1960s. The music recording industry in Australia in the 1960s was heavily influenced by overseas industries, particularly the UK. Because of the distance between Australia and the UK, Europe and the US, where recording equipment was designed and manufactured, studio set-ups were expensive, and often dated compared to those in the northern hemisphere. Despite this, both artists and recording engineers persevered, and Australia has been recognised domestically and internationally as a nation with a very high percentage of musical talent. These AKG microphones were part of an ambitious movement which eventually established a recording industry in Australia. These AKG models were used throughout the 1960s and 1970s in recording studios around the world and were highly regarded by recording professionals. The D19C in particular is famous for having been used at Abby Road Studios to record Ringo Star's (the Beatles drummer) drum kit in the 1960s. Damian McDonald Curator July 2013

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Summary

Object Statement

Microphones and cases (2), AKG D224E, D19C, metal / plastic / electronic components, made by AKG Acoustics, Austria, c. 1960

Physical Description

The D224E microphone is a silver coloured metal exterior with a db/Hz adjustment - (0 -7 -12db / 50 Hz) at the cable input end of the unit. The case is black leather, with cut foam interior for the microphone and stand clip. The D19C microphone has a dark silver coloured metal exterior with a mesh cover at the audio input. The case is silver vinyl covered with a marone velour interior.

PRODUCTION

Notes

These microphones were designed and manufactured by AKG Acoustics, Austria, 1960s.

HISTORY

Notes

These AKG microphones were used in a recording studio which was set up in the 1970s in Bayview Avenue, Earlwood , a suburb of Sydney, Australia. The studio was called Atlantic Recording Studios, and was run by Peter Hood, drummer of the Sydney band The Atlantics. The Atlanics were a surf band who had a successful hit with their song 'Bombora' in 1963.

SOURCE

Credit Line

Gift of Mr Bruce Hunter, 2013

Acquisition Date

3 September 2013

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