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Audio-Technica

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
(Redirected from Audio Technica)

Audio-Technica Corporation
株式会社オーディオテクニカ
TypePrivate KK
IndustryAudio equipment
Founded1962; 64 years ago (1962)
Shinjuku, Tokyo
FounderHideo Matsushita
Headquarters
Machida, Tokyo
,
Japan
Key people
Kazuo Matsushita (President)
Products
Websiteaudio-technica.com/en-us/

Audio-Technica Corporation (株式会社オーディオテクニカ, Kabushiki Kaisha Ōdio Tekunika) (stylized as audio-technica) is a Japanese company that designs and manufactures professional microphones, headphones, turntables, phonographic magnetic cartridges, and other audio equipment.

Company history

[edit]
ATH-M50 headphones

Audio-Technica was established in 1962 in the Shinjuku district of Tokyo, Japan, by Hideo Matsushita as a phonograph cartridge manufacturer. Its first products were the AT-1 and the higher-end AT-3 MM stereo phono cartridges. Business rapidly developed, with the company starting to deliver cartridges to domestic audio manufacturers, and Audio-Technica expanded into other fields. The headquarters and factory moved to the current address in Naruse, Machida,[1] Tokyo in 1965.[2] In 1966, a test record entitled Moving Pulse (AT-6601) was released to help prove Audio-Technica's quality. In 1967, the company made a technological advance, releasing the AT-35X as the first ‘VM’ type stereo cartridge. This design increased growth in global exports, and the patent was extended across Switzerland, Canada, the UK, US, and West Germany.[1] In 1969, the company began exporting phono cartridges worldwide and launched the first microcassette recorders.[3]

In 1972, Audio-Technica established its US arm in Fairlawn, Ohio, and started shipping VM phono cartridges to European manufacturers. In 1974, the company developed its first headphones, the AT-700 series, which launched the same year.[3] In 1977, celebrating its 15-year anniversary, Audio-Technica released second-generation models of dynamic headphones in the ATH-3, ATH-4, and ATH-5. That same year, the company developed and released the dual moving-coil MC-type AT-34 stereo cartridge. The AT-800 series of microphones were introduced in 1978, moving Audio-Technica into the commercial microphones market,[1] and in the same year, the UK establishment in Leeds began operation.[2]

In the 1980s, with the growth in digital music formats threatening its core business of phonograph cartridges,[1] Audio-Technica began a period of diversification. Employee suggestions were solicited, with sushi machines among the ideas selected for further development.[4]

In 1984, Audio-Technica introduced the ASM50 Nigirikko, a nigiri-forming appliance for home kitchens, which incorporated a turn-table like mechanism to deposit the nigiri onto.[4][5] The market success of this product led the company to develop a range of sushi machinery for commercial and industrial use.[4] Audio-Technica remains one of the largest manufacturers of sushi machines globally today, with products marketed under the brand AUTEC.[4][5]

In 1981, a moving-coil cartridge that used diamond, specifically the AT1000 featuring a diamond cantilever, was introduced. That same year, the now long-selling AT33E was released.[1]

In 1986, the company developed RCA cables with high-purity copper produced from the continuous metal casting process, "Pure Copper Ohno Continuous Casting" (PCOCC), invented and developed between 1982 and 1985 by Atsumi Ohno.[6] In the same year, the company launched the AT33ML/OCC phono cartridge, the first made with PCOCC materials.[2] In 1987, the AT-OC9 was released. This is the original cartridge model from which today’s fourth-generation AT-OC9X series evolved.[1] In 1988, another Audio-Technica subsidiary was founded in Taiwan.[2]

In 1990s, Audio-Technica introduced several large-diaphragm condenser microphones for studio use: the AT4033 cardioid microphone in 1991,[2] the AT4050 multi-pattern in 1995,[7] and the AT4060 vacuum tube cardioid microphone in 1998.[8] The AT895, a DSP-controlled five-element microphone array providing adaptive directional audio acquisition, was introduced in 1999.[2] In 1996, the Southeast Asian establishment began operation in Singapore.[2]

In 1993, founder Hideo Matsushita took the position of Audio-Technica’s chairman. His son, Kazuo Matsushita, became the company's president.[1]

From 2006 to 2007, Audio-Technica released its first earbuds and noise-cancelling headphones.[1]

In 2008, the company celebrated its 20th anniversary of supplying microphones for US Presidential Debates, which it had been doing since 1988,[9] and continues to do into the 21st century.[10][11]

Since 2012, Audio-Technica has been releasing limited-edition headphones, debuting 11 limited-edition models between 2012 and 2023.[12] For their 50th anniversary, the company celebrated at CES (Consumer Electronics Show) 2012, debuting five limited-edition products: the ATH-W3000ANV over-ear headphone, ATH-PRO700MK2ANV DJ headphones, the AT150ANV moving-coil phono cartridge, and the AT-TI15ANV solid titanium headshell.[13][14]

Audio-Technica transparent gramaphone

The company's founder, Hideo Matsushita, passed away on March 5, 2013. He was 93 years old.[1]

At the IFA Berlin Show in 2014, Audio-Technica launched five new pairs of headphones, three of which were sport orientated, and a new USB turntable, the LP120USBC, which allowed users to convert vinyl records into digital music files for playback on computers, phones, and tablets.[15] Also in 2014, the company remastered its M-Series line of professional monitor headphones with four next-generation M-Series headphones: ATH-M20x, ATH-M30x, ATH-M40x, and ATH-M50x.[16]

At the CES in 2017, the company released over 15 new headphones ranging from high-res to wireless and both. This included the Sound Reality series, which consisted of in-ears, over-ears, and over-ear wireless headphones (ATH-CKR100iS, ATH-CKR90iS, ATH-CKR70iS, ATH-DSR9BT, ATH-DSR7BT, and ATH-SR9).[17] Also in 2017, Audio-Technica partnered with Audient to release the AT2035-Studio "Essential Studio Kit", which was a microphone, interface, and headphone bundle.[18]

At CES 2019, Audio-Technica unveiled seven new turntables, which included the AT-LPW series featuring dark walnut or teak wood finishes, an updated AT-LP120 series still "aimed at DJs", and four new additions to the AT-LP60 series.[19] At NAMM 2019, the company offered new mic bundles geared toward drummers and vocalists (PRO-DRUM4, PRO-DRUM7, ATM-DRUM4, and ATM-DRUM7).[20] At IFA 2019, the company introduced its ATH-CKS5TW and ATH-CK3TW truly wireless in-ear headphones.[21]

The company would released the ATH-CK3TW in 2020, which featured Bluetooth 5.0 connectivity and a compact design, to fairly positive reviews.[22][23] That same year, Swedish speaker manufacturer Audio Pro Business joined Audio-Technica’s portfolio of distributed brands in the United Kingdom, Ireland, France, and Spain.[24]

In 2021, Audio-Technica continued to expand its product line, releasing the AT-BHA100 balanced headphone amplifier, the AT-DAC100 digital to analog converter,[25] and the "affordable" AT2040 hypercardioid dynamic podcast microphone for podcasts, voice-overs, video conferencing.[26][27] Also in 2021, Audio-Technica served as sponsor of the Relix Studio, the live streaming facility run by Relix magazine.[28]

In March 2022, Audio-Technica Canada announces a multi-year agreement with the JUNO Awards to serve as the “Official Pro Audio Partner” for the program.[29] In November 2022, for its 60th Anniversary, the company announce the AT-LP2022 manual belt-drive turntable, a limited-edition record player featuring a 30 mm thick, high-density clear acrylic chassis.[30][31] That year, the company would also resurrect its Sound Burger portable turntable from the '80s, with the new model featuring Bluetooth connectivity and a built-in lithium-ion battery with USB-C charging.[32] In January 2023, Audio-Technica announced that more Sound Burgers would be coming in the spring of that year.[33]

At InfoComm 2023, the company showcased its range of integration solutions for commercial use, including its Engineered Sound Wireless system featuring wireless microphones for video- and web-conferencing as well as its ATND1061DAN ceiling array, which could be compatible with Microsoft Teams Rooms, Zoom Rooms, or AVer PTZ cameras depending on the system.[34]

At the 2024 NAMM Show, Audio-Technica announced several big projects: the 3000 Series wireless in-ear monitor system, the AT2040USB hypercardioid dynamic USB microphone, the AT2020USB-XP cardioid condenser USB microphone, the ATH-M50xSTS StreamSet models, and limited-edition ATH-M50x wired and wireless headphones.[35] In March 2024, the company announced its ATH-AWKG wooden high-fidelity headphones.[36][37]

In 2026, the company announced two on-camera microphones designed for professional videographers and content creators, the ATV-SG1 and ATV-SG1LE, its first additions to this segment in 10 years.[38]

Audio equipment supplier

[edit]

Since the late 1990s, Audio-Technica supplied microphones and headphones for US television shows, such as Big Brother,[39] as well as induction ceremonies and several international events:

Period Event Editions
1993–2015 Country Music Association (CMA) Awards 27th to 51st Annual CMA Awards[40][41][42][43]
1996–present Summer Olympic Games Atlanta 1996, Sydney 2000, Athens 2004, Beijing 2008, London 2012,[44]Tokyo 2020[45]
1997–2015 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony[46][47][48]
1998–2013 Grammy Awards 39th to 55th Annual GRAMMYs[49]
2002–present Winter Olympic Games Salt Lake City 2002, Torino 2006, Vancouver 2010, Sochi 2014, Pyeongchang 2018[44] Beijing 2022,[50] Milan Cortina 2026[51]
2019 MotoGP 2019[52]
2025 Electronic Sports League (ESL) Intel Extreme Masters February 7–9 2025, the ESL Intel Extreme Masters in the Spodek Arena in Katowice, Poland[53]
2025 Alpine World Ski Championships[54] Commissioned by Austrian broadcaster ORF

Technology

[edit]
An Audio-Technica AT815a shotgun microphone
An Audio-Technica AT95E moving magnet phono cartridge
AT3035 microphone

One of their most famous products was a battery-operated, portable record player called Sound Burger (Sold in the US as Mister Disc) that was sold globally in the early 1980s. The model was re-launched in 2022 initially as a limited edition product, but due to overwhelming demand was made available permanently.[32][33]

In 2005, Audio-Technica developed "Uniguard", a method for making microphones resistant to radio frequency interference from cell phones, Bluetooth devices, wireless computer networks, and walkie-talkies. Thirteen patents were involved in bringing the feature to fruition, as company engineers modified many different elements of microphone construction and operation. Over 50 existing Audio-Technica microphone models have been upgraded with the new RFI-resistant technology.[55][56][57]

Awards

[edit]

In 1965, Audio-Technica received an award from the Agency of Industrial Science and Technology for its AT-1001 tone arm package.[3]

In 1992, the company's AT4033 condenser microphone was chosen as the best microphone of 1991 at the Audio Engineering Society convention.[3]

In 2017, Audio-Technica's ATH-DSR9BT pure digital drive wireless headphones received the CES Innovation Award.[58] That same year, the AT-LP3 fully automatic turntable won the What Hi-Fi? 5-star Award.[59]

In 2018, the AT5047 cardioid condenser studio microphone won a NAMM Technical Excellence & Creativity (TEC) Award for Outstanding Technical Achievement in the “Microphones – Recording” category.[60]

In 2019, three products were nominated for "Outstanding Technical Achievement" in the 35th annual Technical Excellence & Creativity (TEC) Awards: the 5000 Series (Third Generation) UHF Wireless System, AT-LP140XP DJ turntable, and ATM350GL instrument microphone.[61] That same year, Audio-Technica's ATH-M50xBT wireless headphones received the Best of CES 2019 award.[62]

In 2024, the SoundStage! Network's Product of the Year awards featured Audio-Technica's AT-ART20 moving-coil cartridge and the Dayton Audio TT-1 turntable with Audio-Technica's AT-VM95E cartridge.[63]

In 2025, the high-end Hotaru turntable/record player,[64] which was revealed at Milan Design Week 2025,[65] won the A' Design Award for the "Audio Products" category.[66]

In 2026, the company's ATH-R70xa open-back reference headphones won for "Headphone/Earpiece Technology" at the 41st annual TEC Awards.[67][68]

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 Ford, Jez (23 June 2022). "A brief history of Audio-Technica's 60 years". What Hi-Fi?. Retrieved 24 March 2026.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 "About Us". Audio-Technica. Archived from the original on 3 November 2009. Retrieved 25 November 2009.
  3. 1 2 3 4 "Audio-Technica". www.gearogs.com. Archived from the original on 6 March 2016. Retrieved 3 March 2016.
  4. 1 2 3 4 "Why Did One of Japan's Longest-Lived Audio Companies Start Making Sushi Robots?".
  5. 1 2 "AUTECのヒストリー". AUTEC. Retrieved 24 March 2022.
  6. ↑ patent, Ohno, Atsumi, "Continuous metal casting", issued 7 May 1985
  7. ↑ "Audio-Technica AT4050 ST". www.soundonsound.com. Retrieved 3 December 2019.
  8. ↑ "Audio–Technica AT4060A". www.soundonsound.com. Retrieved 3 December 2019.
  9. ↑ Staff, F. O. H. (29 October 2012). "Audio-Technica Mics Chosen for All Four 2012 Presidential Debates". FOH | Front of House Magazine. Retrieved 25 March 2026.
  10. ↑ "Audio-Technica the voice of two candidates". LSi Online. 25 October 2004. Retrieved 25 March 2026.
  11. ↑ Staff, P. S. W. (18 October 2012). "Audio-Technica Mics Continue To Capture Sound For Presidential Debate Series At October 16 Town Hall". ProSoundWeb. Retrieved 25 March 2026.
  12. ↑ Staff, P. S. W. (18 January 2024). "Audio-Technica Holding Design Contest For Annual ATH-M50x & ATH-M50xBT2 Limited-Edition Color". ProSoundWeb. Retrieved 28 March 2026.
  13. ↑ Everard, Andrew (13 January 2012). "CES 2012: Audio-Technica marks its half-century with limited edition Anniversary range". What Hi-Fi?. Retrieved 25 March 2026.
  14. ↑ Staff, Mix (6 January 2012). "Audio-Technica Marks 50-Year Anniversary in 2012". Mixonline. Retrieved 25 March 2026.
  15. ↑ "IFA 2014: Audio Technica launches new headphones and USB turntable". What Hi-Fi?. 3 September 2014. Retrieved 28 March 2026.
  16. ↑ Staff, P. S. W. (7 February 2014). "Audio-Technica Introduces Next-Generation M-Series Headphones". ProSoundWeb. Retrieved 28 March 2026.
  17. ↑ Sade (5 January 2017). "Audio Technica CES 2017 New Releases". Major HiFi. Retrieved 28 March 2026.
  18. ↑ "Audio-Technica & Audient team up for studio bundle". www.soundonsound.com. Retrieved 28 March 2026.
  19. ↑ "Audio-Technica unveils seven new turntables at CES 2019 — The Vinyl Factory". www.thevinylfactory.com. Retrieved 28 March 2026.
  20. ↑ SDM (24 January 2019). "NAMM 2019 - Audio-Technica Offers Drum Mic Bundles". Sick Drummer Magazine. Retrieved 28 March 2026.
  21. ↑ "Audio-Technica Introduces Truly Wireless Earbuds with Long-Lasting Battery at IFA 2019". audioXpress. 4 March 2026. Retrieved 28 March 2026.
  22. ↑ LooperIn-Ear, Christian de (25 February 2020). "Audio Technica ATH-CK3TW True Wireless Headphones Review". Headphone Review. Retrieved 25 March 2026.
  23. ↑ Bloch, Gabby (16 January 2020). "Audio-Technica ATH-CK3TW Review". majorhifi.com. Retrieved 25 March 2026.
  24. ↑ "Audio-Technica Broadens Distribution With Sweden's Audio Pro Business - Sports Video Group". 25 February 2020. Retrieved 28 March 2026.
  25. ↑ White, Ian (10 November 2021). "Audio-Technica AT-BHA100 Headphone Amp & AT-DAC100 DAC Unveiled". ecoustics.com. Retrieved 28 March 2026.
  26. ↑ Sparrow, Mark. "Audio-Technica's New Professional Podcasting Mic Is So Affordable". Forbes. Archived from the original on 7 December 2022. Retrieved 28 March 2026.
  27. ↑ ACS, Matthew Allard (29 July 2021). "Audio-Technica AT2040 Hypercardioid Dynamic Podcast Microphone". Newsshooter. Retrieved 28 March 2026.
  28. ↑ "Audio-Technica Sponsors Relix Studio - Sports Video Group". 13 August 2021. Retrieved 28 March 2026.
  29. ↑ "Audio-Technica Canada Announces Multi-Year Partnership with the JUNO Awards as "Official Pro Audio Partner" – UNITE Partnerships Inc". Retrieved 25 March 2026.
  30. ↑ Mitchell, Brian (1 November 2022). "Audio-Technica's 60th Anniversary AT-LP2022 Turntable Redefines "Transparency"". ecoustics.com. Retrieved 28 March 2026.
  31. ↑ Connection, Music (1 November 2022). "Audio-Technica Introduces 60th Anniversary AT-LP2022 Turntable - Music Connection Magazine". www.musicconnection.com. Retrieved 28 March 2026.
  32. 1 2 "Audio-Technica resurrects its Sound Burger portable turntable from the '80s". Engadget. 1 November 2022. Retrieved 28 March 2026.
  33. 1 2 Sparrow, Mark. "Audio-Technica Says More Sound Burgers Will Be Served This Spring". Forbes. Archived from the original on 12 February 2023. Retrieved 28 March 2026.
  34. ↑ "InfoComm 2023: Audio-Technica Demonstrates Its Range of System Integration Solutions - Sports Video Group". 14 June 2023. Retrieved 28 March 2026.
  35. ↑ "NAMM 2024: Audio-Technica Product Announcements - Sports Video Group". 29 January 2024. Retrieved 28 March 2026.
  36. ↑ published, Becky Scarrott (7 March 2024). "Audio-Technica's new headphones use 'ancient wood' to offer unique sound". TechRadar. Retrieved 28 March 2026.
  37. ↑ "Audio-Technica debuts ATH-AWKG headphones". Hi-Fi Choice. 15 May 2024. Retrieved 28 March 2026.
  38. ↑ Schneider, Jaron (19 March 2026). "Audio-Technica's ATV Mics Are Its First Made for On-Camera in a Decade". PetaPixel. Retrieved 25 March 2026.
  39. ↑ Baldock, Lee (24 July 2003). "Audio-Technica in the Big Brother House". LSi Online.
  40. ↑ Staff, Mix (2 December 2005). "Audio-Technica Heard at CMA Awards". Mixonline. Retrieved 25 March 2026.
  41. ↑ "AUDIO-TECHNICA PROVIDES MICROPHONE SOLUTIONS FOR 2010 CMA AWARDS". www.livedesignonline.com. 31 December 2010. Retrieved 25 March 2026.
  42. ↑ Frost, Adam (4 November 2016). "Audio-Technica solutions for 50th CMA Awards". LightSoundJournal.com. Retrieved 25 March 2026.
  43. ↑ TPi (13 November 2017). "Audio-Technica Supply CMA Awards". TPi. Retrieved 25 March 2026.
  44. 1 2 "About Audio-Technica". eu.audio-technica.com. Archived from the original on 30 March 2020. Retrieved 3 December 2019.
  45. ↑ Staff, P. S. W. (7 June 2021). "NBC Olympics Selects Audio-Technica As Microphone & Headphone Supplier For The Tokyo Games". ProSoundWeb. Retrieved 28 March 2026.
  46. ↑ Staff, P. S. W. (24 March 2010). "Audio-Technica Mics Chosen for the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony". ProSoundWeb. Retrieved 28 March 2026.
  47. ↑ Ramsey, Colby (5 May 2015). "Rock and Roll Hall of Fame stars rely on Audio-Technica". Audio Media International. Retrieved 28 March 2026.
  48. ↑ "Audio Technica Outfits Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Ceremony with Plethora of Mics - Sports Video Group". 17 March 2010. Retrieved 28 March 2026.
  49. ↑ AVNetwork Staff (13 February 2013). "GRAMMY Awards Show Uses Audio-Technica Microphones". AVTechnology - AVNetwork. Retrieved 31 January 2024.
  50. ↑ Staff, Mix (14 February 2022). "Beijing Olympics Captured with More Than 2,300 A-T Mics". Mixonline. Retrieved 28 March 2026.
  51. ↑ "The technology powering NBC's Milan Cortina Winter Olympics coverage". NewscastStudio. Retrieved 28 March 2026.
  52. ↑ Sports, Dorna. "Audio-Technica: capturing the sound of MotoGP™". www.motogp.com. Retrieved 3 December 2019.
  53. ↑ "Audio-Technica Microphones Transmit The Thrilling Atmosphere Of The ESL Intel Extreme Masters 2025 To Living Rooms Around The World - Sports Video Group". 10 June 2025. Retrieved 28 March 2026.
  54. ↑ Priestley, Jenny (19 August 2025). "Audio-Technica gives ORF's coverage of the Alpine World Ski Championships the inside edge". TVBEurope. Retrieved 28 March 2026.
  55. ↑ "Sound & Video Contractor, January 1, 2006. John McJunkin. Audio-Technica UniPoint Line: New improvements to a solid and reliable line of microphones". Svconline.com. Archived from the original on 3 December 2013. Retrieved 1 December 2013.
  56. ↑ Audio Courses dot com. Audio-Technica Provides UniGuard RFI Protection for New Engineered Sound Integ Archived 7 September 2008 at the Wayback Machine
  57. ↑ "Audio Technica. Audio-Technica's UniGuard technology: Protection from Radio Frequency Interference". Audio-technica.com. Retrieved 1 December 2013.
  58. ↑ "Audio-Technica ATH-DSR9BT Pure Digital Drive Wireless Headphones Get CES 2017 Innovation Honoree Award". audioXpress. 24 February 2026. Retrieved 25 March 2026.
  59. ↑ published, Kashfia Kabir (25 December 2018). "Save £55 on a five-star Audio Technica AT-LP3 turntable". What Hi-Fi?. Retrieved 28 March 2026.
  60. ↑ Connection, Music (6 February 2018). "Audio-Technica AT5047 Studio Microphone Wins Technical Excellence and Creativity (TEC) Award - Music Connection Magazine". www.musicconnection.com. Retrieved 28 March 2026.
  61. ↑ Connection, Music (6 August 2019). "Multiple Audio-Technica Products Nominated for TEC Awards - Music Connection Magazine". www.musicconnection.com. Retrieved 25 March 2026.
  62. ↑ Berry, Sean (10 January 2019). "Audio-Technica ATH-M50xBT wireless headphones take home Best of CES 2019 award". Videomaker. Retrieved 28 March 2026.
  63. ↑ "SoundStage! Hi-Fi | SoundStageHiFi.com - The 2024 SoundStage! Network Awards for Outstanding Achievements and Products of the Year". www.soundstagehifi.com. Retrieved 25 March 2026.
  64. ↑ Bowe, Tucker (4 January 2026). "This Audiophile Turntable Is the Culmination of 60 Years of Japanese Hi-Fi Excellence". Gear Patrol. Retrieved 25 March 2026.
  65. ↑ "Audio-Technica's Hotaru Levitates Analog Listening to New Heights". www.stereonet.com. Retrieved 25 March 2026.
  66. ↑ Competition, A' Design Award and (27 February 2025). "Audio-Technica Corporation - A' Design Award Winner". A' Design Award and Competition. Retrieved 25 March 2026.
  67. ↑ International, Audio Media (30 January 2026). "Audio-Technica ATH-R70xa receives TEC Award Recognition at NAMM 2026". Audio Media International. Retrieved 25 March 2026.
  68. ↑ "Congratulations to the Winners!". www.tecawards.org. Retrieved 25 March 2026.
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