RCA Jr. Velocity Ribbon Mic

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• RCA 74 Jr Velocity Mic

VINTAGE BROADCASTING GEAR
Ribbon Microphones RCA - 74 Jr. Velocity

First introduced by RCA in 1935

This microphone was widely used in recording and PA applications during the Swing Era.

This is the RCA-74 Jr.Velocity ribbon microphone. This microphone is perfect for use when in search of a hard high frequency sound. Recently we have used this microphone for a number of commercials. It is still in great shape and used in conjunction with a tube microphone preamp is a great tool when a "vintage" sound may be most effective.

This is not the original stand for this microphone. However we couldn't resist buying it just for the effect. WJW is a Cleveland, Ohio radio station that may well have used these mics at one time.

Footnote I; It was WJW-TV (believe it or not) that gave many kids in Northeastern Ohio their first taste of real Jazz and Blues. This was through a Cleveland celebrity known as Ghoulardi who hosted a low budget but avant-garde fright night show on Friday nights. Ghoulardi used Jimmy McGriff and Oscar Peterson tunes as a backdrop on occasion and it was these drop-ins that made the show even more outlandish and appealing given Ghoulardi's beatnik appearance.

Footnote II; Ghoulardi is said to have often ambled over to a Jazz club down the street between segues while his usually low budget sci-fi movies were rolling. The club was owned by Don King (yes the boxing promoter) who frequently brought in Canadian pianist Oscar Peterson and Hommond B-3 man Jimmy McGriff. In fact, one of Ghoulardi's catch phrases "turn blue" was later the title of a McGriff tune said to have been written for Ghoulardi.

Footnote III: Ghoulardi was really Ernie Anderson who spent time in Cleveland before making a sojourn to Hollywood with Tim Conway and making a mint in the broadcasting business. He can be heard on at least two Conway albums. Most famous was his announcing for ABC-TV. His was the voice encouraging listeners to "Stay tuned for the Loouuve Boat."

Ghoulardi Ernie Anderson

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