For over 50 years, Audio-Technica has been contributing to the culture of sound. Our products have been enhancing the audio quality of countless events from The GRAMMYS® to the Super Bowl, with A-T mics playing a pivotal role. The history of A-T microphones is one of hurdling technological barriers to satisfy and drive customer demand. Our microphones have enhanced entertainment, sports, governance, and many other shared experiences with their high quality, high performance, and great value. All of these attributes spring from the DNA of our Japanese and American roots. Without a doubt, A-T has come a long way since its establishment in 1962 by Hideo Matsushita, the enthusiastic audiophile and businessman who seemingly had his fingers on the pulse of an awakening audio culture. By 1965, A-T found opportunities with powerhouse companies like Columbia Records and Japan’s Nippon Hoso Kyokai. These types of alliances have helped us blossom into the industry leader we are today. A-T history When the British invasion, led by The Beatles, landed in America, the demand for A-T phono cartridges and other audio accessories began to spread like wildfire. These early A-T accessories served as the building blocks for our later headphone and microphone product lines. In 1972, due to the high demand for Audio-Technica’s products and a desire to have an A-T distribution company in the U.S., Audio-Technica U.S., Inc. was born. The current American headquarters was built in Stow, Ohio, a few years later, setting the stage for future innovations and achievements. Both Audio-Technica Japan and Audio-Technica U.S. remained focused on the development of transducer technology. And over the years, this expertise assisted in a “Darwinesque” product evolution for the brand. In 1978, the first series of microphones was introduced: the 800 Series. This series included the AT801, AT813, and several others. The 800 Series was a lower costing microphone line, targeted towards “weekend warrior” musicians. The series quickly evolved, leading the way for all of our current microphones. 800 seriesAudio-Technica has emerged today as both a leader in microphone technology and a favorite of users around the world. For our microphones do more than deliver uncompromising sound; they also deliver unequaled value. The Audio-Technica seal of approval begins and ends with our iconic “circled triangles” logo, displayed on our products to remind professionals and consumers alike that the audio world, as we know it, would not be the same without A-T. We are, as one of our early Japanese PR campaigns proclaimed, “a miracle company” that’s “just a little bit different.”