Grammy Award-winning music producer Sylvia Massy provides a visual tour through the fascinating world of vintage microphones with hundreds of original, full-color photographs. Based on one of the largest collections in the world, this book is for the appreciation of the art, technology, and history of microphones, looking at the first 100 years since the original invention – from the 1870s through the 1970s. Discover microphones used by major figures, including the one used by every US President since Lyndon B. Johnson, the epic microphone built for King George V, and the one used by Bruce Swedien for Michael Jackson's hits. Microphones are abundant in our modern world: dozens of different technologies, millions of different uses. Sylvia Massy and Chris Johnson expertly curate hundreds of microphones, from the rare and eccentric to well-known gamechangers, and provide interesting tidbits relating to their use, history, manufacture, design, and more. This visually stunning book traces the microphone through a history that includes the Great Depression, two World Wars, and the Cold War era. “This book is great for people who love audio, but it's also something that students learning about recording and production actually need to have. Learn and discover what these microphones were used for and see what previous engineers knew so that they could have certain instruments sounding more perfect on these mics.” ―Elliot Scheiner, multiple Grammy and Emmy Award-winning music producer, Foo Fighters, Steely Dan, Fleetwood Mac, Queen “The Goddess of Microphones has written a new book along with Chris Johnson about. . . microphones! You need it whether you are a professional, amateur, or just curious. I started reading it and couldn't stop – what an amazing journey. The pictures are worth a thousand words, and the words are glorious.” ―Frank Filipetti, multiple Grammy Award-winning producer, engineer, and mixer; Carly Simon, Barbara Streisand, Vanessa Williams, George Michael, Korn, James Taylor “After creating the widely acclaimed book, Recording Unhinged: Creative and Unconventional Music Recording Techniques , Sylvia Massy and Chris Johnson have provided a new, inspiring, and informative book about microphones from around the world. Their passion and dedication are apparent with every photograph, every story, and every anecdote throughout this book.” ―Matt Wallace, music producer, Faith No More, Maroon 5, O.A.R., The Replacements, Train “Nobody knows more about microphones and their uniqueness than Sylvia Massy! I am forever learning from her.” ―Niko Bolas, music producer, Neil Young, Warren Zevon, Steve Perry, Melissa Ethridge, KISS “For over a century, microphones have captured the sounds of history and culture on Earth, in orbit, and in space. In this extraordinary book, Sylvia and Chris have captured the allure of vintage microphones and why these gadgets continue to mesmerize.” ―Michael Pettersen, Corporate Historian, Shure Incorporated “Sound – its character, timbre, physical environment, and spatial placement – is perceived through the lens of a microphone . Each microphone type embodies unique variations, and nearly every microphone of a given type exhibits its own individual character – some subtle and minute, others dramatically pronounced. In some cases, distortion and artifacts are so profound that the microphone itself appears to make a distinct musical statement. As one's eyes are the windows to one's soul, so microphones are the gateway to the life, the lace, and the filigree of recorded sound.” ―George Massenburg, inventor of the Parametric EQ, multiple Grammy Award-winning producer, engineer, mixer; Earth Wind & Fire, Linda Ronstadt, Little Feat Sylvia Massy has been producing, engineering, and mixing popular music for decades. Renowned for her work with Tool, System of a Down, Johnny Cash, and Prince, just to name a few, Massy has received dozens of gold and platinum records, including awards for her work with the Red Hot Chili Peppers, Sevendust, and Tom Petty. A Grammy Award-winner, she is also the author of Recording Unhinged: Creative and Unconventional Recording Techniques. Chris Johnson is a prize-winning writer, recording studio owner, minister, and artist. He strives to live art as a 24/7 lifestyle. His stunning collection of vintage microphones includes historical pieces that date back to the 1870s. He is the co-author of Recording Unhinged: Creative and Unconventional Recording Techniques.