microphones

Dr. Leo Beranek is considered by many to be the father of concert hall acoustics. His amazing career has not only traced the growth of acoustic measurement but has documented it in a series of articles and books. His first book, Acoustics, was published in 1954 and is considered the bible for the field. Much of his later research was based on projects he led within the company he co-created: Bolt, Beranek and Newman. Among the most noted projects he was involved with for BBN was designing the general assembly room for the UN buildings in New York. Dr. Beranek was then interested in the acoustics for concert halls and opera houses, on which he focused for several years.

William Bevan has proudly served as an engineer at Shure Inc. for over 40 years. He was a key engineer in many of the company’s products from the early 1960s and running into the 2000s. He worked in the electronic development departments with a focus in his early years in photograph cartridges and microphone development. William often spoke of his enjoyment serving Shure and described his co-workers as “a family team.”

Don Gayle served as a technical writer for Shure for three decades, after a long and distinguished career as a professor of literature. While at Shure, Don’s language skills were key to the quality of materials for instructing customers in the use of each product. These materials remain a well-respected component of the company. His NAMM Oral History interview was completed on July 25, 2005. 

Bob Heil received his first break into the pro audio market when the Grateful Dead’s sound system was not available for a concert date. Bob’s own powerful system was used, and a new name for speakers and microphones was born into the world. Several of his innovative products, including sound systems, control units, and amplifiers, have forever changed the quality of audio products. His books on sound systems and lighting are used as field guides for a generation of techies and roadies.

Jim Hennessey was working for Kaman Aerospace when he was transferred to the Ovation Guitar division. Jim worked closely with Charlie Kaman on several projects and later worked in the advertising department for Ovation. Jim expanded his duties to run the endorsement program and helped sign over 300 artists to Ovation in the 1970s. After leaving Kaman, Jim formed The Music People in 1979, which began as a distributor but later became a manufacturing company as well. Jim’s creative thinking led the company to produce a long line of music accessories including the On Stage Stands brand and the Hennessey brand of products.

Manfred Hibbing is known around the world as one of only a few top experts on RF Studio condenser microphones. He has designed and developed many award-winning innovations in microphone technology and he did it all at Sennheiser in Germany. Proud of his role in the company, he retired in 2005 from Sennheiser. His NAMM Oral History interview was completed on July 14, 2005.
 

Al Kahn, the founder of Electro Voice and the inventor of several important microphone models told a great story on how his company got its name. Mr. Kahn was an industry pioneer and an early supporter of AMC and a NAMM member since the year after the company was formed in 1932! When Mr. Kahn was interviewed for the NAMM Oral History program he recalled his early love of electronics and the story of when football coach Knute Rockne named his company after Al had created a PA system to assist Rochne in coaching. In 1942 he released the first differential microphone and hired Al Wiggins who invented the Cardyne Cardioid Dynamic mic in 1946.

Don Kirkendall was hired by Electro Voice founder Al Kahn to serve as the company’s advertisement manager in 1954. Don’s creative approach to the company’s line of speakers and microphones earned him several industry awards and increased sales annually for 3 decades in a row. Among the most noted campaigns was for the Buchanan 644 microphone, which gained a reputation for its solid body and durable sound.

Sandy La Mantia is only the third President of Shure. The founder’s wife, Rose, hired Sandy to run the company for which she is still chairperson. The company has had a very significant history in the innovation of microphones, headphones, and speakers. It has also played a vital role in the development of the pro-audio market, beginning rather small in the 1950s. Sandy’s attention to the history of the company was apparent during his interview. In addition, it is clear he is also following the leadership of Mr. Shure in developing innovative products, along with maintaining a feeling of family within the company.  

Jim Long first joined Electro-Voice as a summer engineering intern in the 1960s and later returned, soon transferring into marketing, where he held a variety of positions over the years. Jim helped introduce a number of key EV products to the market. He very much enjoys demonstrating these products to customers, end users and consultants around the world, as well as presenting seminars on the basics of acoustics, audio and sound-system design and implementation. Jim has continued to work for EV during several mergers, doing his part to keep the product and service at the highest levels possible.