AKG Acoustics WMS 4000 manual Akg History, C 12 A, The early products, The company name

C 12

1953 marked the birth of another AKG legend: with the development of the C 12, AKG introduced its first large-diaphragm condenser micro- phone with a remote-controlled polar pattern. Initially produced in bat- ches of 50 units a month, the C 12 quickly became a top international product, being adopted by nearly all leading radio stations and recor- ding studios. The first customers included the BBC in London, where the microphone’s design and quality made a deep impression.

C 12 A

1962 saw the introduction of the C 12 A Nuvistor condenser micropho- ne, an enhanced version of the C 12. The Nuvistor miniature tube tech- nology made it possible to design even smaller high-quality large-dia- phragm microphones. At the same time,

the distinctive shape of the C 12 A body was the forerunner of the classic C 414: even today the design of the C 414 is an internationally admired and patented three-dimensional trademark.

K 180

In 1969 AKG developed the K 180, the first set of headphones with SCS – “Subjective Controlled Sound”: the sound could be varied by adjusting the speakers inside the earphones.

The early products

In 1945 the company began supplying technical equipment such as movie projec- tors and loudspeakers to Vienna movie theaters. The PC 2535 G horn-loaded thea- ter loudspeaker with a cardboard dia- phragm, for instance, was manufactured in a living room.

The company name

The founders considered calling their com- pany “Phonophot”, but because of its simi- larity with another name, they opted for “Akustische- und Kino-Geräte“, or AKG for short. Acoustic equipment became more and more predominant, and in 1965 thea- ter equipment was dropped from the range entirely and the name changed to “AKG Acoustics”.

AKG HISTORY

1945 Rudolf Görike and Ernst Pless start supplying Vienna movie theaters with equipment

1947 Rudolf Görike and Ernst Pless set up AKG

1953 World’s first single-diaphragm dynamic cardioid microphone (D 12) Manufacture of the famous C 12 large-diaphragm condenser microphone Founding of a German subsidiary

1954 World’s first single-diaphragm dynamic cardioid microphone

1955 World’s first remote-controlled multipattern dynamic microphone (D 36)

1956 Professional cardioid microphone with variable rear sound entry to reduce proximity effect (D 24, D 19)

1959 World’s first supra-aural headphones (K 50)

1960 Design of the first professional small-sized condenser microphone (C 60)

1965 Manufacture of movie theater equipment discontinued in favor of audio pro- ducts

1966 World’s first two-way cardioid microphones (D 202, D 224) World’s first wide-band ultrasonic transducer (CK 40)

1969 Founding of a British subsidiary

Design of the first modular condenser microphone (CMS system including C451, CK 1, etc.)

1970 World’s first portable professional reverberator (BX 20)

1973 Her Majesty’s Post Office issues a 3 p stamp to commemorate the BBC's 50th anniversary showing the BBC’s standard microphones, all of them AKG models

1974 AKG applies for its thousandth patent

1975 Introduction of AKG multidiaphragm headpones (K 240)

1976 Introduction of AKG TS System (Transversal Suspension) for phono cartridges (P8 ES etc.)

1977 Miniature studio condenser microphone with 6 mm capsule and self-polarized diaphragm

New compact reverberation unit (BX 5)

1978 World’s first dynamic/electrostatic headphones (K 340)

1979 World’s first modular digital time delay unit (TDU 7000)

Vocal microphones combining extreme ruggedness with studio-standard sound quality (D 300 Series)

Founding of a Japanese subsidiary

1981 Digital/analog reverberation unit (BX 25 ED)

1982 World’s first compact dynamic/electrostatic headphones (K 4)

1983 New “digital-ready” modular condenser microphone system providing for capsule/preamp interface via cable up to 200 ft long (C 460 + CK 1X, CK 2 X)

1984 Stock exchange floatation of AKG Holding AG, which holds 75% of the shares of AKG Ges.m.b.H.

1985 Founding of a US subsidiary (March 1985)

1986 Acquisition of Ursa Major -> founding of the Digital Products Division of AKG Acoustics

Introduction of C 1000, the first condenser stage microphone with a convertible polar pattern and alternative phantom or 9 V battery power supply

1987 Introduction of the “K 280 Parabolic” headphones

Introduction of the DSP 610, a Delta Stereo Processor for setting up “Delta Stereophony" sound systems

1988 Introduction of the MicroMic Series

Founding of AKG Acoustics (India) Ltd.

1989 Introduction of the “CAP 340 M” Creative Audio Processor

Introduction of the DSE 7000 Digital Sound Editor Introduction of the K 1000 headphones for binaural listening Acquisition of Orban and dbx Professional Products

AKG Acoustics (India) Ltd. admitted to Indian stock exchange

1990 Development and manufacturing of IXT transducers for telephones

Development of a compact version of the CAP 340 M for "Audimir" space project

Merger of SCJ and AKG Japan

AKG acquires controlling interest in three UK companies: BSS Audio Ltd., Turbosound Ltd., Precision Devices Ltd.

1991 20% stake in CeoTronics/Germany, 30% stake in AMEK Technology Group PLC/UK, the holding company which owns AMEK Systems & Controls Ltd., and TAC Total Audio Concepts Ltd.

New product line of integrated handsets (IHA) for telephones Founding of “AKG Communications France”

“Audimir” space project – first investigation of the basic mechanisms of acoustic orientation under zero-gravity conditions

Introduction of the WMS 900 and WMS 100 Wireless Microphone Systems Introduction of the new "K Series" generation of headphones

Alliance with Lectrosonics/USA for sound reinforcement products Alliance with Direct Research/Germany

1992 AKG acquires a 51% interest in its affiliate AKG Acoustics (India) Ltd.

AKG acquires majority stake (79%) in Edge Technology Group/UK (Turbosound, Precision Devices, BSS Audio)

Introduction of Tri-Power Series dynamic performance microphones AKG Blue Line Series modular microphone system

C 547 boundary microphone

C 621, C 647 gooseneck microphones

Audiosphere BAP 1000 Binaural Audio Processor for Individual Virtual Acoustics launched in Germany and Austria

Presentation of new sound reinforcement equipment MAP Modular Audio Processor and AS 100

Introduction of TMS II Digital Telephone Measurement System

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