Countryman
Countryman is a family-run American manufacturer of direct boxes and ultra-miniature microphones, based in Menlo Park, California.
Last updated September 15, 2026
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Overview
Countryman is a family business and manufacturer of direct boxes and ultra-miniature microphones, serving audio professionals worldwide. Its products are designed, manufactured, and tested at its facility in Menlo Park, California. The company traces its origins to Carl Countryman, who over fifty years ago began crafting custom gear for touring rock bands and performers, and who later founded Countryman Associates. Countryman states it was the first manufacturer of the earset microphone and the active DI box.
History
Over fifty years ago, Carl Countryman started crafting custom gear for touring rock bands and performers. Through the 1960s and 1970s, he engineered a multitude of custom electronic equipment for artists, including the electrostatic piano pickups for the Grateful Dead used in their Wall of Sound. After founding Countryman Associates, he continued to develop electronic sound equipment, including the Type 986 Phase Shifter, the Type 85 Active DI Box, and the E6 Earset. Countryman states it was the first manufacturer of the earset microphone and the active DI box. Today the company describes itself as a family business and an industry-leading manufacturer of direct boxes and ultra-miniature microphones, with products designed, manufactured, and rigorously tested at its facility in Menlo Park, California.
Products and positioning
Industry-leading manufacturer of legendary direct boxes and ultra-miniature microphones, emphasizing isolation, ruggedness, and transparency, with personal attention and exceptional quality for audio professionals.
Type 85 Active DI Box
An active direct box developed by Carl Countryman.
E6 Earset
An earset microphone developed by Carl Countryman.
Type 986 Phase Shifter
Electronic sound equipment developed by Carl Countryman.
EMW Omnidirectional Lavalier
An omnidirectional lavalier microphone.
B3 Omnidirectional Lavalier
An omnidirectional lavalier microphone.
ISOMAX microphones
Microphones addressing a wide range of production challenges.
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