Sanken Microphone Co., Ltd.
Sanken Microphone Co., Ltd. is known as a professional microphone manufacturer which has the longest history in Japan. The company was established in 1925, and started to create microphones for really professional use. In 1933, Rihei Takeuchi, a founder of the company obtained his first patent for the antiagglomeration of carbon particles in carbon microphones.
In 1935, Sanken developed a globe-shaped dynamic microphone for film recording use.
In 1939, NHK(Japan Broadcasting Cooperation) asked to make miniature dynamic microphone, and Sanken successfully developed a stand microphone for announcers. This was the actual first step of producing professional microphone. 1947, Sanken introduced the Model MCM-1, which was the dynamic microphone with an aluminum diaphragm, and MS-1 with polystylol diaphragm in 1948. It was used at radio stations and became a standard in Japan’s broadcasting industry.
In 1956, MS-5 was introduced. It was a pencil shaped microphone with 20mm polystylol diaphragm. The frequency response extends from 50Hz to 10kHz with a sensitivity of -72dB. This microphone became one of the standard model for interview, press conference purpose for a long time in Japan’s broadcast industry.
In 1964, Sanken developed the ML-1 moving coil type microphone, and it was used at Tokyo Olympic game.