Electro-Voice

Electro-Voice (commonly referred to as EV) is an American manufacturer of audio equipment, including microphones, amplifiers, and loudspeakers, focused on pro audio applications such as sound reinforcement. As a subdivision of Telex Communications Inc. since February 1998, Electro-Voice markets products for use by consumers as well as small or large concert venues, broadcasting, houses of worship, and in retail situations.

Electro-Voice
Founded1930
FoundersLou Burroughs, Albert R. Kahn
HeadquartersBurnsville, Minnesota,
United States
ProductsPro audio, microphones, speakers, sound equipment
OwnerTelex Communications (Robert Bosch GmbH)
Websitewww.electrovoice.com

History
Electro-Voice "Century" crystal microphone, model 915.

On September 1, 1927, Lou Burroughs and Albert R. Kahn began a small business called Radio Engineers, servicing radio receivers in the basement of the Century Tire and Rubber Company in South Bend, Indiana. Because of the Great Depression, according to Kahn, “We found ourselves insolvent to the extent of $5,000 ($76,524 today).[1] They decided to focus their business on audio products. The company designed a PA system for Notre Dame football coach Knute Rockne. Rockne, who had difficulty being heard at football practices due to health problems that affected his voice, called the new PA system his "electric voice". Rockne's remark inspired the company's name. On June 1, 1930, Burroughs and Kahn incorporated under the name "Electro-Voice".[2][3]

The partners recognized an opportunity to capitalize on what they perceived as the generally poor quality and high prices of existing microphones. They purchased a lathe and a drill and started producing about one microphone a week. Soon after, Burroughs withdrew from the business, leaving complete ownership to Kahn. By 1933, the previous business debts were completely paid off, and Electro-Voice began hiring manufacturing employees. In 1936, twenty people were hired, and Lou Burroughs returned as chief engineer.[4][5][3][1]

Electro-Voice received a 1963 Academy Award for their 642 Cardiline shotgun microphone.

During World War II, EV developed the noise-canceling microphone. Noise cancelling microphones such as the Electro-Voice T45 lip microphone were instrumental to fighter and bomber airplane, tank, battleship and ground troop radio communications. EV licensed the patent to the government for free to be applied by other manufacturers to produce what was needed for the war supply.[6][1][4][7]

In 1946, the business moved to a bigger facility in Buchanan, Michigan and expanded its engineering efforts.[8] In 1948, they began successfully producing phonograph pickup cartridges.[7] In 1950, they started production of the first automatic TV booster.[7][9] They also started to design and produce a consumer loudspeaker line in response to increased public interest in Hi-Fi music listening. In 1952, EV patented the Compound Diffraction Horn, which changed the look and performance the traditional cone-shaped paging horn.[10] Known for its high output, the CDP was deployed by the Navy on aircraft carriers and other high noise environments.[1]

Electro-Voice RE-27N/D microphone.

In 1963, EV received an Academy Award for their 642 Cardiline shotgun microphone, the first ever given for an audio product.[7]

Electro-Voice launched its RE Series of microphones in 1968, most notably the RE-20, which continue to be extensively used in broadcasting applications. The RE series used "Variable D" technology first developed by EV in 1953, which eliminated changes in tone and frequency response corresponding to changes in the physical distance of the sound source from the microphone[1][4]

1978 US patent sketch of Electro-Voice constant-directivity horn.

In the early 1970s, EV developed the first commercial system for matrix four channel stereo called Stereo-4. When Columbia/CBS and Sony developed their Stereo Quadraphonic system (SQ) that system became the leading matrix system and Electro-Voice adapted their decoders so they also could play SQ records as well as Sansui's QS records. The EV system could also simulate four channel sound from two channel sources.[11]

Also in the 1970s, EV acquired TAPCO. The company, founded by Greg Mackie, specialized in audio mixers. TAPCO products soon became prominent in the EV product line.[1]

In 1978, Electro-Voice patented its Constant Directivity Horn, which produced an even balance of frequencies across the listening field. It overcame the uneven dispersion of high frequencies that affected the typical high frequency horns used in many professional sound speakers until the late seventies.[1]

In the late 1980s, EV became the first microphone manufacturer to use neodymium magnets in its microphones. The N/DYM microphones were introduced in the mid 1980s to combine the high output and high frequency response characteristics of condenser microphones with the rugged shock resistance of dynamic microphones. Around the same time EV's first wireless microphones were being produced.[1]

Mergers

The company merged with Telex Communications in 1998. Prior to the merger, EV was owned by Mark IV Industries, Inc. through its subsidiary, Gulton Industries, Inc.,[12] and had manufacturing plants in Buchanan, Michigan; Newport, Tennessee; Sevierville, Tennessee; and Gananoque, Ontario. Electro-Voice's headquarters were in Buchanan, Michigan until the merger with Telex Communications.[2][13]

In June 2006, EV, along with all of Telex Communications, became part of Bosch Security Systems division.[14] Today EV manufactures widely used broadcast microphones as well as loudspeakers and various other professional audio equipment.[15]

Superfund site

The former Electro-Voice facility in Buchanan, Michigan was engaged in die-casting, machining, assembly, painting and electroplating activities. The business closed in 2000. According to the EPA, "contamination at the site resulted from Electro-Voice’s discharge of electroplating wastes into two clay-lined lagoons from 1952 to 1962, and from the disposal of paint wastes and solvents into a drywell from 1964 to 1973. The waste disposal activities caused groundwater to become contaminated with chemicals called volatile organic compounds, or VOCs. Following construction of the site’s long-term remedy, operation and maintenance activities and monitoring are ongoing". Construction of the site’s long-term remedy finished in 1999, with the EPA reporting, "soil cleanup included construction of a clay cap and active treatment by an in-place ventilation and volatilization system. Groundwater remediation is ongoing through monitored natural attenuation of pollutants".[16]

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See also

References
  1. Clark, Keith. "EV At 90: Powering The Passion Of Performance For Nine Decades (And Counting)". ProSoundWeb. EH Publishing. Retrieved 2 March 2018.
  2. "Electro-Voice plant closing in Buchanan". South Bend Tribune. 2001-11-09. Archived from the original on 2001-11-10. Retrieved 2008-04-01.
  3. "About Us". electrovoice.com. Electro-Voice. Retrieved 1 March 2018.
  4. Clark, Keith. "A Historical Look At Electro-Voice". proaudioencyclopedia.com. Pro Audio Encyclopedia. Retrieved 2 March 2018.
  5. Frank Hoffmann (12 November 2004). Encyclopedia of Recorded Sound. Routledge. pp. 736–. ISBN 978-1-135-94950-1.
  6. DB: The Sound Engineering Magazine. Sagamore Publishing Company. 1986.
  7. Al Kahn (1953). "EV Company History". Archived from the original on 2008-12-12.
  8. "City of Buchanan, Berrien County, Michigan Reconnaissance - Level Survey Report, September 2012" (PDF). www.locuspoke.us. City of Buchanan, Berrien County, Michigan. Retrieved 2 March 2018.
  9. Hearst Magazines (November 1950). Popular Mechanics. Hearst Magazines. pp. 227–.
  10. "Compound diffraction horn. Louis S. Hoodwin, Bridgman, Mich., assignor to Electro- Voice, Incorporated, Buchanan, Mich". patents.google.com. US2856467A. Retrieved 3 March 2018.
  11. Nielsen Business Media, Inc. (16 January 1971). Billboard. Nielsen Business Media, Inc. pp. 90–.
  12. SEC Info - Mark IV Industries Inc - 10-K - For 2/29/96 - EX-21
  13. TELEX COMMUNICATIONS INC Annual Report
  14. Following the Telex Acquisition: Bosch Founds New Business Unit-Bosch Communications Systems-Established 1/1/2007 Electrovoice.com
  15. Jack W. Plunkett (August 2006). Plunkett's Telecommunications Industry Almanac 2007: Telecommunications Industry Market Research, Statistics, Trends & Leading Companies. Plunkett Research, Ltd. pp. 540–. ISBN 978-1-59392-057-9.
  16. "ELECTROVOICE BUCHANAN, MI". epa.gov. United States Environmental Protection Agency. Retrieved 2 March 2018.
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