Countryman

Countryman

Also known as: Countryman Associates, Countryman Microphones

Unclaimed

Countryman Associates is a family-run audio manufacturer based in Menlo Park, California, founded by Carl Countryman in the 1970s. Before establishing the company, Carl built custom electronic gear for touring rock acts through the 1960s and 70s, most notably contributing electrostatic piano pickups used in the Grateful Dead's legendary Wall of Sound system.

The company is best known for pione...

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Countryman Associates is a family-run audio manufacturer based in Menlo Park, California, founded by Carl Countryman in the 1970s. Before establishing the company, Carl built custom electronic gear for touring rock acts through the 1960s and 70s, most notably contributing electrostatic piano pickups used in the Grateful Dead's legendary Wall of Sound system.

The company is best known for pioneering the earset microphone and the active direct box. Their Type 85 DI became a live-sound standard, and the miniature E6 Earset helped define the category of discreet head-worn mics used across theater, broadcast, houses of worship, and touring productions. The catalog also includes the B-series lavaliers, the I2 and H6 headsets, the A3 Halo gooseneck, as well as instrument, hanging, and podium microphones.

All Countryman products are designed, manufactured, and tested at the company's Menlo Park facility. The brand's reputation rests on ruggedness, sonic neutrality, and extreme miniaturization — traits that have made its lavaliers and earsets common sights on Broadway stages, televised events, and large-scale live productions.

Countryman has 9 products cataloged on Equipboard, including Effects Processors, Dynamic Microphones, and Direct Boxes. Their gear is featured by 14 artists, with the strongest followings in Rock, Electronic, and Folk, World, & Country. Notable users include Kurt Cobain, Steve Albini, and Kerry King.

Artists Who Use Countryman

Kurt Cobain uses 1 Countryman product

Kurt Cobain

Singer, Guitarist · Nirvana

Steve Albini uses 1 Countryman product

Steve Albini

Singer, Guitarist · Big Black

Kerry King uses 1 Countryman product

Kerry King

Guitarist, Composer · Megadeth

Jeff Hanneman uses 1 Countryman product

Jeff Hanneman

Guitarist, Composer · Slayer

Jun Senoue uses 1 Countryman product

Jun Senoue

Guitarist, Composer · Crush 40

Nigel John Taylor uses 1 Countryman product

Nigel John Taylor

Bassist · Duran Duran

Timothy B. Schmit uses 1 Countryman product

Timothy B. Schmit

Singer, Bassist · Eagles

Herbie Hancock uses 1 Countryman product

Herbie Hancock

Keyboardist · The Headhunters

Glenn Fricker uses 1 Countryman product

Glenn Fricker

Music Producer

Dolly Parton uses 1 Countryman product

Dolly Parton

Singer, Guitarist · ♀♀♀♀: The Collaboration

Sam Bush uses 1 Countryman product

Sam Bush

Guitarist · New Grass Revival

Peter Howell uses 1 Countryman product

Peter Howell

Keyboardist, Composer

Joey Sturgis uses 1 Countryman product

Joey Sturgis

Music Producer

Nicolas Collins uses 1 Countryman product

Nicolas Collins

Composer

Gear Guides featuring Countryman

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