Reslosound VMC2 Velocity Moving Coil

Here is a nice looking Reslosound VMC2 microphone, successor to the VMC, which (probably) stands for Velocity Moving Coil.

Reslosound VMC2

As far as I can tell, the only real difference between the original VMC and this VMC2 is that the newer model has a slightly different grill, and a three pin Reslo output socket instead of a fixed cable. Inside, both mics have the same heavy paper diaphragm and coil.

Reslosound VMC2

The badge proudly declares that this specimen is a low impedance 15 ohm model.

Reslosound used a fibrous paper to manufacture the diaphragm, and the coil is simply glued to the paper tube at the rear. In fact the technology looks very similar to early speakers.

Reslo VMC2 coil and diaphragm.

When I plugged it in, the mic gave a very lo-fi sound - even more distorted than one would expected for this era. On investigation, there were some metallic particles sticking to the diaphragm, preventing it from moving freely. The paper cone had also become detached from the diaphragm.

Diaphragm from a Reslo VMC2

The remedy in this case was to carefully unsolder and lift the diaphragm and coil. Then I used a magnet and paint brush to flick and drag the dirt away, both from the diaphragm and from the magnet below.

Reslosound VMC2 magnets

Once the obstructions have been removed, the cone was then lightly glued back using some clear nail varnish, and then replaced in the magnet gap, ensuring that it was centred and free to move. This greatly reduced the distortion.

In use, the mic is slightly boxy sounding, with a steep roll off at the bottom end and some dramatic peaks and dips in the response. It very obviously sounds like an early dynamic mic!

Reslo VMC with base station

For comparison, here is a Reslo VMC with announcer's base station. Note the difference in the grill, with five horizontal slats, as opposed to three vertical.

Reslo microphones in disguise

Reslosound sold numerous microphone models under their own name, and also made microphones for other brands. This Reslo RV was made for GB Equipment Ltd, and has a funky maroon logo on the top.

This one is labelled RVH - the 'H' means high impedance output.

I have also seen and serviced RV models with a Philips badge.

VOX badged Reslo RB

The common Reslo RB models were also sold under the VOX and GEC brands. This Vox mic is identical to the Reslo badged model, apart from the badge.

GEC badged Reslo RB

The GEC mics are painted black and given the model number BCS 2378, but it is simply a Reslo
RBS.

In addition to these re-branded models, many Reslo mics were sold as parts of sets with Ferrograph recorders, and it is common to find Reslos in a Ferrograph box, usually with a matching transformer.

Update January 2015: Here is one more for the collection - a rather scruffy Philips badged Reslo RV seen on eBay.