CAD Audio originally took shape as the Astatic Corporation in 1931, founded by C.M. Chorpening and F.H. Woodworth, two ham radio operators who needed a static-free microphone for their transmitters. They worked with local engineers to develop the company’s first crystal radio microphone, the model D-104.

Having overcome the problem of static––hence the company name “Astatic”–– and improved the quality of radio transmitter microphones in general, Chorpening and Woodworth went on the incorporate in 1933 and develop a line of innovative crystal mics, phonograph pickups and recording heads. Astatic also made significant contributions to the allied effort in World War II with an underwater sound detection hydrophone and static-discharger for Army and Navy aircraft.

Now known as Astatic Commercial Audio Products, the company has evolved into a successful manufacturer of commercial microphones for a wide variety of industrial applications. Astatic mics can be found in restaurants, airports, churches, schools, and corporate boardrooms worldwide. Their ongoing success is based on a history of technical innovations most recently represented by the Astatic 1600/1700VP remote-control variable pattern microphone.

CAD (Conneaut Audio Devices) Professional Microphones was initially formed in 1988 as the Pro Audio division of the company to design and manufacture microphones for the recording and live sound markets, segments not served by Astatic. Initially, CAD introduced a revolutionary servo circuit console and breakthrough processing products, then went on to develop a series of innovative and cost-effective high performance studio microphones. These included the highly acclaimed E100, E200 and E300 Equitek Series mics that literally defined the project studio revolution of the late 80s and early 90s.

More recent CAD developments include the successful Trion and M9 condenser microphones, affordable high quality Drum and Guitar recording mic packs, a versatile line of USB microphones, NB2 noise-reduction earphones, and, most recently, the new E100S large diaphragm condenser mic, an evolution of the company’s groundbreaking Equitek Series studio microphone.

Now Astatic and CAD have been re-branded as CAD Audio to combine the strength of their new technologies and expand their already unmatched offering of microphones for different applications while simplifying and streamlining sales, distribution and marketing efforts for the coming years.

CAD Audio offers four series of products––Recording, Live Performance, Astatic Commercial and Personal Audio––that will further grow and evolve as the company continues to build on over 78 years of innovation and success in the audio industry.