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TELEFUNKEN Volkswagon Microbus

The 1963 Volkswagen Microbus, also known as the Type 2 Volkswagen Bus, was a simple, affordable vehicle that was popular during the 1960s counterculture movement. It was a rear-engine van with a 1,600 cc flat-four engine and a minimalist interior. The Microbus’s size and shape made it a symbol of defiance against North American auto manufacturers, who were transitioning to muscle cars in the 1950s and 1960s. Hippies also popularized the Microbus, customizing it with artwork to express their values and lifestyle. 
 
The Microbus was easy to fix and drive long distances, making it ideal for traveling from San Francisco to Woodstock. It was also easy to find parts for, and many upgrades were possible. The 23-window model is considered the most desirable by some, and restored examples have sold for high prices at auction. Features of the 23-window model include: pastel two-tone paint, soft-top roof, sliding canvas top, and pop-out front windows.
 
The vehicle, known as the Bulli in Germany (a name that has been resurrected for some ID. Buzz prototypes), was launched as a 1950 model at the end of 1949. The Microbus and Deluxe Microbus were introduced in the early 1950s, followed by an ambulance and a pickup truck.
 

This specific vehicle has been modified by TELEFUNKEN Elektroakustik owner and founder Toni R. Fishman to include a custom Porsche engine, brakes, wheels and tires.

South Windsor, CT, July 2024 – Toni Roger Fishman, electronic visionary and founder of pioneering microphone company TELEFUNKEN Elektroakustik, passed away on July 12, 2024 at his vacation cottage near company headquarters in South Windsor, Connecticut. At press time there were no further details.

The company’s administrative team issued the following statement, “Toni was a visionary leader and founder, and an integral part of our company from Day 1. This news is deeply saddening for all of us here. Toni was not just the owner, but also a mentor and friend to many. His vision, passion, and dedication were the driving force behind our success, and his absence is deeply felt by all of us. Despite our loss of Toni, we will carry on. It was Toni’s wish that our company continue to create the finest audio equipment in the world. Our entire team will work together to ensure that operations continue smoothly. We have a strong and capable team, and we are confident in our ability to navigate through this difficult time.”

TELEFUNKEN Elektroakustik of South Windsor, CT, USA was incorporated in 2001 out of the desire to remake restoration parts to keep vintage iconic microphones in excellent working condition. This passion grew into the ambitious goal of recreating the legendary ELA M 251 in all of its original glory, both sonically and structurally. The new production 251 was first showcased at the 2002 Audio Engineering Society convention and astounded the professional audio industry with its remarkable accuracy to the original, both inside and out. The microphone won the 2003 Technical and Creative Excellence TEC Award for Studio Microphone Technology.

David Goggin, longtime friend, company photographer and public relations director since its inception, stated, “I first met Toni at recording studios here in Hollywood when he was searching for the most pristine of vintage classic microphones, which he reverse-engineered and combined with historic Telefunken schematics and documentation to preserve the legacy of these unparalleled instruments used to record music. Toni was always on target and relentlessly continued his quest for sonic excellence throughout his remarkable career.”

The vision of TELEFUNKEN Elektroakustik is to preserve the excellence of iconic microphones and their history, and to develop new technologies that draw inspiration from them. The company continues the tradition of producing high fidelity instruments to benefit the recording and performing world, and to continue to accurately preserve music for generations to come.

Toni Fishman is survived by his wife Yuki and son Ethan. For further information, contact Alan Venitosh, Director of Operations at 860.882.5919

Live From the Lab
Legal

TELEFUNKEN provides these multitrack audio files for the sole purpose of allowing individuals an opportunity to utilize them for home studio use and for educational purposes only.

No commercial use is permitted.  Any commercial use or reuse is strictly forbidden.

By downloading any track hereunder the user agrees to properly attribute all copyrights and to display the following on any non-commercial reuse of the video and multitrack audio files as follows:

All audio files have been engineered and recorded by TELEFUNKEN Elektroakustik and are presented for educational and demonstrational purposes only.

Live From the Lab
About

The LIVE FROM THE LAB live music video series is recorded and filmed at TELEFUNKEN Elektroakustik’s facility in South Windsor, CT. Each session is tracked live exclusively with TELEFUNKEN microphones and features unique performances from a variety of local, regional, national, and international artists and ensembles.

The multitrack audio files from these sessions are available for free download via clickable links below the individual performance videos. All audio files are presented in .WAV format and were recorded at 24bit / 48KHz sample rate. They are clearly labeled in the same format with the source listed first (LEAD VOX, ACOUSTIC, PIANO), followed by the microphone used (C12, AR-51, etc) and can be downloaded and imported into your Digital Audio Workstation of choice.

For more additional content please visit livefromthelab.net