Parmeko Junior Microphone

The name is a contraction of 'Partridge and Mee Company', which was incorporated in 1927 and changed its name to Parmeko in 1935. They were known for making transformers and other electronic parts as well as assembled equipment. A 'ghost sign' for the goods entrance to the Parmeko factory may still be seen on Percy Road in Leicester. The goods entrance to the Vernon Road site was actually on Percy Street.

The Parmeko microphone is pictured in the April 3rd 1936 edition of Wireless World, on page 351, as part of a larger review of Parmeko's disc cutting and amplifer equipment.

The reviewer wrote "Controls are fitted for all input points. Recordings of broadcast as well as of speech were made, and for the latter we used the Parmeko Junior microphone, a good quality carbon model at a reasonable price. Excellent results were obtained, though the radio version was somewhat superior to the microphone recording, which is perhap qUIte natural, for to achieve comparable quality a really high-grade microphone would be necessary. However, Parmeko include a Piezolectric microphone among their various recording accessories."

"Prices are as follows: Recording machine and motor unit, £70; recording amplifier, £68. Junior microphone and battery box with table stand, £5 10s; and crystal microphone with pre-amplifier, £35."

MoMics note: Clearly in 1936, Piezo crystal microphones were considered to be superior too, and more expensive that carbon microphones.

The Parmeko Junior carbon microphone was reviewed in the October 1934 edition of Wireless magazine, page 265, which reads...

"THE name Parmeko has long been associated with high-grade power units and amplifiers. The entry of the firm into the microphone market will be regarded with interest. Certainly the sample submitted was both neat and workmanlike.

The microphone itself is housed in a die-cast case with a plated cover over the front. It is carried by two springs in a simple framework mounted on a cast base, the whole making a simple but rigid fixing. A 15 to 1 transformer, matched to the microphone, is also supplied housed in a neat die-cast shell.

Short of taking an actual response curve, which is a lengthy process, there is little that one can do to test a microphone except try it.

We were advised that the response only varied a few decibels from 80 to 8,000 cycles (Hz), and one can readily believe this. Tested on both speech and music, the response was noticeably good and we were unable to detect any resonances over the audible range."

The sensitivity was reasonable, depending almost directly on the D.C. across, the instrument. About 12 volts appeared to be a good value, under which conditions it took 20 milliamperes. With 12 volts D.C. and speaking a few inches away produced about I volt. A sharp whistle gave 3 volts.

MoMics note: Parmeko advertised their new microphone on page 280 of the same edition as the review. It was as true in 1934 as it is now - if you want a nice review then pay for an ad! They wrote...

"Messrs. Partridge & Mee, Ltd., have now introduced a quality microphone at a reasonable price. Considerable research and special methods of construction have made this possible. The microphone has a good response and compares very favourably with the highest priced carbon microphone. Finished in grey cellulose, with all bright parts heavily chromium plated. Price £3/0/0"

The Parmeko Junior carbon microphone is pictured in the April 3rd 1936 edition of Wireless World, on page 351.

https://leicester.contentdm.oclc.org/digital/collection/p15407coll4/id/717/