44A

Successor to the 77A, the 44 could be considered a “cost-reduced” version. However, it was this cost reduction that catapulted the 44 to its legendary commercial success. Even today, some fifty years after its introduction, 44s can be found in broadcast and recording studios throughout the world.

The first of the 44 family was the 44A, a large microphone, although considerably smaller than the 77A. It used a large horseshoe magnet around the ribbon and featured a figure-8 pickup pattern.

The slightly larger 44B was introduced in about 1938. It also had a figure-8 pickup pattern. Both the 44B and the BX were bi-directional having figure-8 patterns. Its frequency response extended from 30 cycles to 15,000 cycles.

Within its case, the 44 was provided with “V” (voice) or “M” (music) jumper positions. When a lead was connected to the terminal marked “V,” a choke was connected in parallel with part of the transformer winding, which substantially attenuated the low frequency response.

The basic difference between the suffixes within the 44 family were:

• The 44A generally had a bronze finish.
• In contrast with the 44B and 44BX models, the later 44BX had the ribbon mounted farther toward the rear, giving it a smaller figure-8 on the back side.
• The 44B was finished in a distinctive black with chrome ribbing on the lower portion, while the 44BX was an umber grey and stainless steel (Japan Black was optional). Both had the red “meatball” logo in the front center of the lower portion between two bands of ribbing that wrapped around the microphone.