1.3 A Few Words from Abbey Road
Abbey Road Studios
Abbey Road Studios is an iconic symbol in the international music industry. The studios
have been at the heart of British music for almost 80 years and been the home of
countless landmark recordings and innovative techniques, equipment and technology.
Today, Abbey Road Studios is one of the most technically advanced recording, mixing
and post-production facilities in the world. For many years the studios benefited from
EMI’s research and development division, which custom-built mixing consoles, outboard
gear and microphones to meet the needs of studio engineers and artists. Most of this
equipment was only available to EMI studios and was never sold commercially.
The Royal Microphones
In the 1920s and 1930s, EMI had the honour of crafting special microphones for the
British Royal family for use at important and significant occasions. From this extremely
rare collection, three microphones have been used as a basis for this unique plug-in.
H.M. King George V model:
This Carbon microphone was designed by Marconi–Reisz circa 1925. It is comprised of
fine carbon dust held between output electrodes, fronted by a mica diaphragm and
encased in a grand marble shell. The microphone needs a constant DC voltage which
can be achieved today with a domestic 9v battery.
Carbon microphones are rarely used today. Despite this model’s limited bandwidth and
relatively high noise floor it was one of the best microphones available at the time,
therefore this particular microphone has a wonderful coloured sound unlike any
manufactured today.
H.M. King George VI and H.M. Queen Elizabeth models:
Both of these microphones are based on the EMI CPM201 model. These moving coil
Waves : Abbey Road – The King’s Microphones
User Guide
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