Electro Voice 664 Overview
The Electro Voice 664 is a vintage cardioid dynamic microphone from the 1950’s and patented in the 1960’s. Designed for live sound applications like speaking and public address specifically, with a wide range of uses and applications under a variety of sound conditions. Because of the wide use, it became ubiquitous with vintage rock and roll styles as it was widely seen used by stars of the time on stage.
The microphone utilizes three sound entrances to achieve the cardioid pattern. It’s a great microphone for use where acoustic feedback, ambient noise or other unwanted sound acoustic problems are present. The housing is heavy duty with sound reinforcement ensuring this as a very durable microphone.
Specifications & Features
Brand: Electro-Voice (Vintage)
Type: Dynamic Generating Element
Polar Pattern: Cardioid
Diaphragm: Electro-Voice Acoustalloy®
Frequency Response: 40Hz-15kHz, uniform from 60 – 15,000 Hz
Impedance: 150 ohms
Grille: Pop-Proof Wire Mesh
Case: Pressure Cast Zinc
Finish Color: Satin Chrome
Non Reflective Grey: 664A
Decorative Gold: 664G
Dimensions: 1 ⅞” Diameter, 7 3/16” Length
Weight: 1 lbs 12 oz
Optional Accessories: Desk Stand Model 419
Non-metallic diaphragm permits smooth response over a wide frequency range and also withstands high humidity, extreme temperatures, mechanical shocks and will even withstand corrosive effects of salt air.
Where To Buy Online
The vintage EV 664 microphone can be purchased online via ebay.
Cables & Wiring
Single 15 ft two-conductor
Shielded
synthetic rubber jacket
broadcast type
Model QC-4M Electro-Voice Quick-Change Connector
Modern Uses
- You see them pop up here and there in pop culture for their vintage appeal if you pay attention.
- Widely used in music videos especially in the 90’s and 2000’s for their visual vintage ambiance.
- ZZ Top retro fitted shure mic’s with 664 bodies for one of their tour’s.
- Often seen being used for cosmetic effect at award shows like Rock and Roll Hall of Fame specials on VH1 and MTV.
History
Actual Excerpt from a vintage print ad:
You’ll literally be able to hear the difference in your recordings when you substitute the E-V 664. The high-fidelity 664 provides highly directional sound selectivity, reduces pickup of ambient noise and reverberation up to 50%. Its proper placement discriminates against unwanted sounds, gives accurate naturate pick-up of voice and music… smooth, peak-free response at all frequencies from 40 to 15,000 Hz, no boominess from close talking.
The holes in the top, sides and rear of the Electro-Voice Model 664 make it one of the finest cardioid dynamic microphones you can buy. These holes reduce sound pickup at the sides, and practically cancel sound arriving from the rear. Only an Electro-Voice Variable-D microphone has them.
Behind the slots on each side is a tiny acoustic “window” that leads directly to the back of the 664 Acoustalloy® diaphragm. The route is short, small, and designed to let only highs get through. The Path is so arranged that when highs from the back of the 664 arrive, they are cut in loudness by almost 20 db. Highs arriving from the front aren’t affected. Why two “windows”? So that sound rejection is uniform and symmetrical regardless of microphone placement.
The hole on top is for the mid-range. It works the same, but with a longer path and added filters to affect only the mid-frequencies. And near the rear is another hole for the lows, with an even longer path and more filter that delays only the bass sounds, again providing almost 20 db of cancellation of sounds arriving from the rear. This “three-way” system of ports insures that the cancellation of sound from the back is just as uniform as the pickup of sound from the front – without any loss of sensitivity. The result is uniform cardioid effectiveness at every frequency for outstanding noise and feedback control.
Most other cardioid-type microphones have a single cancellation port for all frequencies. At best, this is a compromise, and indeed, many of these “single-hole” carioids are actually omnidirectional at one frequency or another!
In addition to high sensitivity to shock and wind noises, single-port cardioid microphones also suffer from proximity effect. As you get ultra-close, bass response rises. There’s nothing you can do about this varying bass response – except use a Variable-D microphone with multi-port design that eliminates this problem completely.
Because it works better, the E-V 664 Dynamic Cardioid is one of the most popular directional microphones on the market.
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