The Astatic Corporation is a commercial audio products manufacturer founded in Youngstown, Ohio in 1933. Astatic formed
Founded | 1933 |
---|---|
Founders | Creed M. Chorpening, F.H. Woodworth |
Headquarters | Solon, Ohio, United States |
Products | Pro audio, microphones, sound equipment |
Owner | DAS Companies, Omnitronics |
Website | www.cadaudio.com |
History
editIn 1930, two amateur radio operators, Creed M. Chorpening, W8WR (later W8MJM) and F.H. Woodworth, W8AHW began experimenting with different types of microphones for their "ham" stations. Their mutual friend, Charles Semple, worked for Brush Development Company where he had been experimenting with Rochelle salt crystals. Semple demonstrated some crystal pick-ups that Brush was working with, leading Chorpening and Woodworth to found The Astatic Microphone Laboratory, Inc. in Youngstown, Ohio in 1933. Semple was brought into the company as general manager to manufacture and market the company's model D-104 Crystal Microphone as well as other crystal microphones, crystal phonograph pickups and recording heads. [4] In early 1944, Astatic moved operations to Conneaut, Ohio and supplied microphones, pickups and crystal cartridges as well as hydrophone and sonar devices to the military during World War II. After World War II, Astatic Microphone Laboratory became The Astatic Corporation.[4]
The commercial audio product division of Astatic became
In 2012, the Citizens Band (CB) product division of Astatic that had been acquired from Omnitronics by Barjan LLC in 2006[5] was sold to DAS Companies, a communications product distributor for interstate truck stops. DAS expanded the Astatic name to non-microphone accessories including coaxial cables, meters and antennas.[3]
JT-30 microphone
editAstatic also manufactured bullet style microphones, which are extremely popular among harmonica players. The original Astatic model JT-30 was introduced in late 1939. There were many variations in different colors such as the JT-30-C, W-30, 31, JT-31, JT-40, JT-50, and Model A. It is one of the most popular microphones for blues harp players.[6] Production of the mic continued in different versions such as the JT-30VC and the
D-104 microphone
editIntroduced in 1933, the Astatic model D-104 became known for its high frequency response that contributed to better communications audio quality. Early D-104 mikes used a 1" thick case, a large ID tag, and holes for "ring & spring" mounts. The design was modified in April 1937 with smaller tags and reduced thickness. A black "grip" switch stand ("G" Stand) with a metal ID tag was manufactured in January 1938. A solid-state amplifier was incorporated into the "G" stand in the 1960s. A US Bicentennial model D-104 was manufactured in 1976 featuring a 18k gold plated finish, and an eagle and shield design on the back plate. Also released at that time, was a slightly different chrome version that featured a press to talk bar on the base in addition to the standard "grip" to talk. They were known as the Golden Eagle and the Silver Eagle (respectively). Of the two, only the Silver Eagle remained in constant production since its inception, and remained one of Astatic's most popular D-104 microphones. There were other variations as well, but production ceased in 2001.[9] The D-104 is often used by CB radio hobbyists and vintage amateur radio enthusiasts as part of their operating activities.[10]
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ a b "cadaudio.com".
CAD Professional Microphones. Retrieved 9 May 2018. - ^ a b "
CAD , Astatic Re-Brand AsCAD Audio". mixonline.com. Mix Magazine. Retrieved 9 May 2018. - ^ a b Hocker, Lindsay. "Barjan brands, inventory sold to DAS Inc". The Dispatch. The Rock Island Argus. Lee Enterprises. Retrieved 4 May 2018.
- ^ a b "ASTATIC: An Idea that grew into an Industry". AstaticInstalled.com. Astatic Commercial Audio Products. Archived from the original on 11 May 2009. Retrieved 4 May 2018.
- ^ "Barjan Products Buys Equipment Manufacturer. May 25, 2006". mdm.com. Modern Distribution Management. Retrieved 9 May 2018.
- ^ a b DAVID BARRETT (7 September 2016). Harmonica Essentials. Mel Bay Publications. pp. 58–. ISBN 978-1-61911-688-7.
- ^ Winslow Yerxa (10 January 2013). Harmonica For Dummies. John Wiley & Sons. pp. 336–. ISBN 978-0-470-44597-6.
- ^ Gérard Herzhaft; David Herzhaft (8 October 2008). Le livre de l'harmonica. Fayard. pp. 58–. ISBN 978-2-213-64591-9.
- ^ Rogers, Henry. "Vintage Radio Broadcast and Communications Microphones". Radio Boulevard. Western Historic Radio Museum. Retrieved 4 May 2018.
- ^ Howes, Bruce James. "Vintage AM Radio at Dayton". arrl.org. American Radio Relay League. Archived from the original on 30 June 2007. Retrieved 4 May 2018.
External links
editCAD Audio Astatic commercial audio products- DAS companies Astatic CB products brand owner
- RoadPro Astatic CB products retail division
- Astatic schematics