Radio World Assistant Editor Elle Kehres recently asked readers to share their memories of the Electro-Voice 635A. First introduced in 1965, this dynamic mic is finally heading into retirement. Here’s what Elle and some of our readers recall about these virtually-indestructible devices. Want to share your own memories? Email the RW team at [email protected].
Field-Friendly Gear
Elle Kehres writes: “Personally, these mics were the perfect companion as I learned the radio ropes at UNC-Chapel Hill and during my early field reporting adventures at WCHL(AM).
“It was comforting to know that, no matter how many times I dropped this bad boy, it would live (not that I ever dropped it, of course). Also, there were several stories I did that involved getting up close and personal with furry friends, but, alas, no chew toys here!”
Come Fire and Flood
Radio World Contributor Dan Slentz writes: “In 1977, I worked at the local TV station which had been built in an old Packard auto garage. I was just 14-years-old and started working as a production assistant and prepping for the 6 p.m. TV news after school each afternoon. Unfortunately, one morning my mom woke me up to tell me TV-2 burned down.
“The ONLY piece of equipment to make it out the fire was a old beat-up EV 635 handheld mic. It presumably fell in water which is why is didn’t melt down (like everything else did). After it dried out, it still worked! But, the funny part is, it STUNK to high heaven. It smelled like it had been in a dumpster fire! When you’d interview people, it was hilarious because as soon as they caught a whiff of that stink, their face would sour. Since it was a TV station using the mic, it made it even funnier to see that sour look, then the person lean away from that stinky mic.
“So, I always respected the 635 for being built ‘like a tank.’ It may have sounded ‘just okay,’ but you could literally drive a nail in with it and it would still work. Gonna miss it.”
Parade Proof
Dex Rowe in Northfield, Vt., writes: “I have two [EV 635As] and, as you say, they’ve proven to be indestructible. I even use them to announce parades. You never know when a parade viewer or someone singing the National Anthem might get carried away and side-swipe the mic!
