LEM 305
Manufacturer:
LEMModel:
305Country of Manufacture:
FranceMicrophone Type:
RibbonPolar Pattern:
Figure 8Production Start Year:
1936Rarity:
3
Microphone History:
From the LEM 305 data sheet
The microphones-Models 305 and 305 V.M.-are of the type "Velocity": a very thin and extremely light metallic ribbon moves freely berween the poles of two powerful permanent magnets . Being accessible to air vibrations on two opposite faces, the ribbon is set in motion by the speed of moving particles of air which produce in the microphone a very marked directional effect, defined by two curves of field strength symmetric in relation to the common plane of the two surfaces.
INSTRUCTIONS FOR USE
The output level of these microphones. being relatively low. they must be used with a pre-amplifier. In direct utilisation (high impedance model - H.I.) it is necessary to use short screened leads (not more than 26 metres long, and of low capacity; on this subject, it will be noticed that, on an average. there is a damping of 3 decibels per 3 ft of commercial microphone cable at 10.000 cps. When using long leads (low impedance model - L.I.) a " grid line " transformer adaptor, screened as much as possible must be inserted in the circuit before the pre-amplifier: in this case the length of the microphone-transformer lead does not matter to the extent of 100 to 200 meters (328 to 656'). An ordinary twin-core schielded cable is necessary. It is recommended not to emit sound at less than 4" from a the microphone. or considerable distortion at low frequencies will arise. This microphone is specially designed for all indoor uses: orchestral re-transmission, theatres, specches, etc., where this type of microphone is greatly valued for its high fidelity, and its only slight susceptibility to Larsen effect. LEM ribbon microphones are highly praised for all acoustic retransmission, abroad as well as in France, because of their high fidelity of reproduction, their output level, together with several factors indispensable to modern microphones: their sensitivity, robustness, appearance and manipulation.
N O T E . Our ribbon microphones are guaranteed against faulty manufacture but we do not hold ourselves responsible if the apparatus has been opened or the trade mark erased. It is unwise blow hard into te apparatus as this will cause deterioration. making it instantaneously unuseable.
Interesting provenance of the silver LEM 305 pictured:
The first LEM 305 microphone pictured, in a silver finish, bears an inscription on its side reading “De Gaulle 26 Juillet 1947.” This date corresponds to General Charles de Gaulle’s 1947 tour of key sites of the Breton Resistance. On 26 July 1947, De Gaulle made a pilgrimage to Sainte-Anne-d’Auray, where he was welcomed by Bishop Le Bellec of Vannes, Admiral Thierry d’Argenlieu, Admiral Robert, and a crowd of nearly 50,000 people. After attending mass, he continued on to Vannes. The following day, 27 July, he delivered speaches in Saint-Marcel (Morbihan) and Rennes. While it cannot be confirmed that this particular microphone was involved in these events, the inscription strongly suggests a connection De Gaulle's public adresses around this time. Furthermore, photographic evidence of De Gaulle using a LEM 305 during this 1947 tour of key sites of the Breton Resistance can be seen here.
Links:
https://timelinesandsoundtracks.blogspot.com/2021/06/charles-de-gaulle-timeline.html
https://arbrezel.hypotheses.org/3493
https://arbrezel.hypotheses.org/files/2020/11/cdgsaintmarcel47_cartondinvitation.jpg
Technical Description:
TYPE 305 B. I. VM. — Two-tone ribbon microphone: speach and music; low-impedance 50 ohm output (polished aluminum housing); long-line model with 2-pin shielded plug.
Dimensions: height 190, width 80, thickness 48 mm. Weight 550 g.
Microphones in this category are designed to be mounted on stands and are equipped with a 16 mm thread in 100 pitch.
Response curve: 25 to 15,000 pps ± 5 dB.
PriceL 182 New Francs
