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Our Story
Pitman Microphones is the most trusted resource in ribbon microphone repair, restoration and beyond. Pitman continues to be the only microphone repair service that restores RCA mics to exact RCA specifications.
SOME NOTABLE CLIENTS
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ELECTRICAL AUDIO
Short Documentary by Luke Carpenter
History
HARRY F. OLSON
Harry F. Olson, a pioneer in acoustical engineering, revolutionized audio technology in the 20th century with many groundbreaking contributions. Throughout his tenure at RCA Laboratories (Princeton, NJ) from the 1930s to the 1970s, Olson conducted meticulous research leading to innovations in electroacoustics, radar, high-fidelity, loudspeakers, and of course, microphones. In the early 1930s, his collaboration with RCA resulted in his invention and development of the ribbon microphone. By suspending a thin metal ribbon within a magnetic field, Olson achieved unparalleled sensitivity and fidelity in sound reproduction. The ribbon microphone quickly became a staple in recording studios and broadcasting facilities, setting new standards for audio quality. Olson continued to refine his designs, resulting in RCA’s versatile line of ribbon microphones and over 100 patents.
CLARENCE KANE
Clarence Kane began working for RCA (Camden, NJ) in 1952, following his service in the United States Army during World War II. In addition to servicing microphones, Kane also installed studio systems around the world during his time at RCA. By the 1980s, he alone was responsible for the servicing, repairs, and restorations of all microphones that came through RCA’s CRAE (Custom Repair and Engineering) division. When RCA’s Microphone Repair service was shut down, Kane acquired from RCA the necessary parts and equipment to continue the repairs under his own name, ENAK (Kane spelled backwards). He continued to service mics for the biggest names in the music, broadcast, and entertainment industries, including Les Paul, Chet Atkins, Steve Miller, and Kenny Rodgers to name a few. For decades, Clarence Kane's unmatched knowledge and experience set the standard for ribbon mic repair until his retirement in 2024 (at 97 years old!).
LUKE PETERSEN
Luke Petersen began working with Clarence Kane at his home workshop (Pitman, NJ) in 2016, and took great care to learn the nuances of ribbon microphone repair until his retirement. During their time together, Kane taught Petersen the particular needs of hundreds of microphones, including every known ribbon microphone model by RCA, as well as Altec, Royer, Reslo, B&O, AEA, Coles, Beyerdynamic, Shure, Western Electric, Electro-Voice, and many more. Luke graduated from the University of Hartford in 2020 with a BSE in Acoustical Engineering & Music (Jazz Guitar), where he did extensive research on the physics of ribbon microphones, and closely studied the work of Harry F. Olson. Petersen founded Pitman Microphones in 2024, with plans to expand beyond basic ribbon microphone services. He is grateful for the opportunity to carry on this craft and hopes to bring his unique knowledge of acoustics and hands-on ribbon microphone experience to the production market in the near future.
Products
BREAKING NEW GROUND
Pitman Microphones will be breaking into the microphone production market in the near future. We will disclose more information closer to release, but you can expect authentic, American-made, hand assembled, finely tuned products unlike anything on the market today. Stay tuned for more info.
Services
BEFORE AFTER
REPAIR & RESTORATION
We specialize in RCA Ribbon Microphone repair and service all makes and models of ribbon microphone! We use only the highest quality tools and materials for our repairs, including Gotham GAC-3 cable, Neutrik Connectors, matched original paint finishes, and RCA Spec Ribbons and tools.
All services include replacing minor hardware, reshaping and removing minor dents from drawn metal parts, testing, and certifying performance to be within original specifications. Prices for repairing unrepairable or broken castings, magnets, forks, cables, and other major mechanical components will be quoted separately after inspection.
Upon request, microphones may be inspected, tested, and performance-certified only, at no additional cost.
90-DAY WARRANTY
All of our repairs are backed by our 90-day warranty, which covers any defects due to faulty workmanship.
In the event of a defective repair, the customer will be reimbursed for return shipping following inspection.
Warranty is void if microphone has been partially or fully disassembled or modified in any way since our repair.
Bench fee (credited toward repair cost) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $75
Re-ribbon (Single-Ribbon Microphone) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $185*
Re-ribbon (Dual-Ribbon Microphone) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $240*
Windscreen Re-silk and Dent Removal . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $90
New Cable Installation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $60 - $75
Full Visual Restoration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Email with pictures for pricing
*Prices may be increased for some models
UPGRADES
FAB 4196 Transformer upgrade . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $155
FAB XL Transformer upgrade . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $180
FAB USA Transformer upgrade . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $195
Lundahl LL2912 Transformer upgrade . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $210
We also upgrade all makes and models of ribbon microphone! In addition to transformer upgrades, we can also modify ribbon elements for increased output, expanded frequency response, and/or high sound pressure tolerance depending on microphone model. See re-ribbon pricing above. Call for more information.
Limit of liability for holding microphones is 90 days from completed repair. We will take ownership of microphones if payment is not received within the
90-day limit. If you have not been contacted regarding your microphone within 90-days of shipping to us, please contact us immediately.
WE RESERVE THE RIGHT TO UPDATE PRICING WITHOUT NOTICE