A giant in terms of dimensional and tonal qualities

• first-class French ribbon microphone
• over time there have been several versions, differing mainly in the magnet assembly and the housing properties
• with 32 cm (including stand mount swivel) larger than the American RCA 44BX ribbon mic
• the built-in output transformer was replaced with the Sowter 8074 in both rental copies. With a nominal impedance of 200 Ω (previously 50 Ω), it's much better suited for studio preamps. There is audibly less noise thanks to the higher sensitivity.
• exemplary frequency response (very good treble reproduction)
• consistent figure-8 pattern
• organic and voluminous sound
• manufacturing period: 1942-1961
• in 2021 the french Studio Kerwax released a detailed reissue called Melodium 42Bn

Favourite applications: similar to RCA 44BX: vocals, brass instruments, saxophone, room microphone (drums!) and guitar amp