Lifetime Velocity Model 20

This ribbon microphone was produced by the Lifetime Corporation, a little-known company registered at 1302 Dorr Street, Toledo, Ohio, which advertised a carbon button microphone in a few 1933 editions of QST Magazine (e.g. October 1933, Page 83) This was noted by the Boat anchor Pix blog. A similar promotion appeared in the Walter Ash catalogue in 1935. The model in our collection appeared in the Radio Shack catalog in 1940.

Another Lifetime ribbon microphone appears in the Jim Webb Sound collection of microphones.

MoMics note: This is a relatively small bodied ribbon microphone, similar in size to an EV-V1, for example. The ribbon motor itself is similar in design to some Amperite models, with two cylindrical magnets fitted behind folded steel pole pieces. Like the EV ribbons, the connection to the transformer is made via screws that push through the ribbon itself, which can be a source of noise or point of failure. Our example arrived covered in pale sticky gunk, which appears to be decomposed latex rubber. This microphone is currently undergoing restoration.

The following is taken from an ad in the Radio Shack catalog of 1940.

A moderately priced precision velocity microphone.

Output level -58 db. Input direct to grid. Frequency response, 52 to 8,000 cps, within 2db. Attractive black crystalline case, chrome grille with 25ft. "low loss" cable.

[Small] but right up there with the biggest and best in performance.

Cat. No. S10159 Model 20

Net Price$9.95

Cole Suddarth has shared photos and recordings of a Lifetime ribbon microphone, although his example has a chrome plated grill and a more gently rounded body - it appears to be a later model than the one in the MoMics collection:

"Today we have another microphone I had never seen before! This “Lifetime” ribbon microphone looks to have been made around the 1960’s, though I’ve never seen another like it. This one has a strong ribbon motor and after adding in a new ribbon, Cinemag transformer, and a new balanced XLR cable, it’s a nice sounding microphone with a colourful top end due to the shape of the grills. With it also having a respectable low end, I wish there were more of these ribbons out there!.