MICROPHONE OF THE MONTH JANUARY 2025

The microphone of this month is one of the very best vintage ribbon microphones ever made: the French Melodium 42B. The microphone is huge, and even larger than the well known RCA 44BX, it has, like most ribbon mics, a bidirectional pickup pattern. The ribbon between four powerful Alnico magnets is longer than RCA's 44BX. Its sound is similar but somewhat different, which makes it the favourite for some in recording studios. Both microphones have a huge proximity effect; low frequencies are exaggerated when used close to a sound source, when they are moved further away ( 0,5 m or more), the 42B has somewhat more defined lows and more rounded highs.

The 42B has a 3-way speaker/voice/music switch, to roll off the lower frequencies, when used close. Outside it could only be used with extra protection against wind, but I have never seen a specific cover for such use.

According to Melodium their flagship model, the 42B, was produced since 1932, which can't be true because it was based on the RCA 44A, that came out at the end of 1932. The 42B grill shares a resemblance with an experimental RCA model, from 1930 (Robert Paquette -'The History and Evolution of the Microphone' p.390).
It is more likely the 42B was made since the end of the thirties. In 1937, some French movie posters mention 'enregisterement Melodium' (recorded with Melodium). Although Melodium had made a condenser mic and a dynamic as well, it wasn't logical these were used for film, since they had omnidirectional pickup patterns, which would register the whirring of the cameras. The spec sheet only shows half of thebidirectional pickup pattern; strange.

For French radio, the casing was restyled, the internal screens were altered and it got a two-way switch. This rounded 'R' (Radio) version got the nickname 'la Boîte Ovomaltine' 'the Ovomaltine bottle' (outside Europe this yeast based milk flavouring product is known as 'Ovaltine'). The R version was made at least since 1940.

From the forties on the 42B was used widely in France, it features on album covers and can be seen on many photos, like those published on the Melodium fan Facebook page.

In the last two decades the 42B has been rediscovered as a great recording tool and the second hand price rose to 1200-1800€. My own copy was cheap, a lucky find; the owner thought it was incomplete because the yoke was missing and the bottom looked dubious. The three-way switch had been replaced by a crude version. Sound-wise it is a great mic though. It has the original grill, which was later slightly changed a few times, and a connector was added. Xaudia sells several 42B parts, so I was able to fit it with a replica yoke.

On the internet I have read several complaints about RF interference problems, I never encountered those myself. It is better shielded than my BBC AXB, which is much more susceptible to RF interference.

The large 42B is thus once again popular and remains in use at sound studio's with a vintage microphone collection. The French Kerwax studio revived the Melodium brand and presented a remake, in 2021: the Melodium 42Bn (n for new). This 'largest ribbon microphone ever made recreated for the 21st century', is true to the original, and uses the same alnico magnet material. The motor is improved and a different transformer is used, the 3-way switch is omitted; unnecessary for modern recordings.
The microphone is hand made in France, using ecological sustainable practices, and has a pretty hefty sales price of € 2100, but that is stil at least € 1000 cheaper than the friendliest priced 44BX remake by AEA. Last year's introduction of the Warm Audio 44BX, costing around 1100€, provides a modestly priced alternative for lovers of the wonderful big ribbon sound.

These and many more types feature in my book Witnesses of Words. More information about that can be found at www.witnessesofwords.com