Ardente Dynamic Ribbon

This is an early British ribbon microphone by Ardente Acoustic Laboratories, who had addresses in Oxford Street, London and Guildford in Surrey. Ardente were known for making public address equipment as well as hearing aids and speakers. The name 'Ardente' was derived from the company's founder, a Mr R H Dent.

This microphone was designed to be mounted on a stand but also has hooks for use in a suspension ring. This feature suggests that it was made sometime in the 1930s. The chrome plating is excellent with a stylish design and striking logo that appears to be based on the letters A and a reversed R. The aluminium slotted grill has faired less well. 

Unfortunately our example is missing its motor. It shares some design features with the Shaftesbury RT ribbon microphones, including the slotted grill and tilting mount, although we are unaware of any formal relationship between the two companies.

From a 1936 promotion from Ardente in The Broadcaster Trade Annual, which makes bold claims for this model:

"The ARDENTE DYNAMIC RIBBON MICROPHONE is claimed by our Laboratories to be the greatest advance ever made in Microphone technique. A masterpiece of design and construction, it possesses unique features rendering it especially suitable where acoustic feedback is troublesome. Exceptionally sensitive from the front and back, it is unreceptive from all other directions. The response curve is practically flat from 30 to 14,000 cycles ; it is more sensitive than any other Ribbon Microphone, and is free from resonances."

And from Practical Wireless magazine, 1936

This attractive instrument, which has been tested and highly praised by many authorities, is claimed by the Ardente Laboratories to be the greatest advance ever made in microphone technique. The "heart" of the new microphone, which ranks ahead of all other types for sound amplification, is a metal ribbon only a quarter of a thousandth of an inch thick.

MoMics opinion:

If this really was the greatest advance ever made in microphone technology, I wonder why we have only ever seen one of them? It appears not to have been a successful product in terms of sales or public interest.

About Ardente at Graces Guide.

Vintage Microphone World have an Ardente dynamic microphone in their collection.