A Look Back

Sometimes we just need to have a bit of fun. I set out a while back to find a somewhat period correct set of microphones to use in an upcoming video on the Teac X-2000R. I wanted a set that would be typical of what could be purchased in a retail shop in the 1970’s or 80’s.

I set up searches on eBay and stared to pay more attention to cheap vintage mics on offer when looking at used gear in general. It wasn’t long before I came across this nearly mint example of the Realistic Pro-100 kit. Complete with the original packaging and paperwork, and from a brand that would have been available in most cities in the United States at the time, I grabbed a set without much more thought.

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These were only intended to be a footnote item in another video, just a small detail for continuity. Looking into their history though I saw an interesting story. No great achievement or advancement in technology, but the everyday toil of the engineers who worked on these products. Those who designed, iterated, fought budgets and marketing spin to bend this quirky microphone kit into something the masses would buy.

I hope you agree that these stories are worth preserving and sharing when we can. 

Need to mount multiple microphones in awkward spots like I do in this video?

The LP Mic Claw is a great tool to have in your kit.

Thanks to u/Hodaka on Reddit for pointing out that these are rebranded microphones from the Foster company of Japan. Which explains the ‘foster’ marking on the underside of the mic element.

Check out all of the old Radio Shack Catalogs you can handle over at RadioShackCatalogs.Com