Established in Japan in 1962, Audio-Technica's global development team has been dedicated to the design, manufacture, marketing and distribution of audio equipment. From its initial focus on phonograph cartridges, Audio-Technica has developed high-performance microphones, headphones, wireless systems, and even commercial rice-ball shaping machines, as well as other high-quality electronic products for professionals and the general public.
1962
Hideo Matsushita founded Audio-Technica Japan in Shinjuku, Tokyo. The capital was one million yen. The company produces the AT-1, then develops the AT-3 stereo moving-magnet pickup head, and begins supplying pickup heads to domestic audio equipment manufacturers.
1963
The company's office is moved to Kashiwagi, Shinjuku-ku. The premises were expanded to meet the needs of its expanding operations, and the capital was increased to three million yen. Started sales of the high-end AT-5 moving-magnet pickup and the semi-integrated AT-1001 pickup. 1964
Technical Triangle's office moves again to Higashi-Okubo, Shinjuku-ku. The capital was raised to 4.5 million yen. The company develops the AT-13M pickup for broadcasting and the AT-1503 pickup arm. Development of oval jeweled phono needles begins, and these are used in the AT-3X and AT-5X products.
1965
The packaging of the AT-1001 pickup arm receives an award from the Industrial Science and Technology Division of the Japanese Ministry of Trade and Industry. Audio-Technica's headquarters and factory moved to its current location, Naruse, Machida, Tokyo.
1967
Capitalization of the company increases to eighteen million yen. The company began supplying vibration test equipment to manufacturers of metering equipment and developed its own proprietary AT-35 dual-magnet VM pickup.
1968
Technology was provided by Audio-Technica to collaborate with the NHK Technical Research Center for pickup core research. The company also began supplying MDR heads to NHK. That year, the company also started the AT-1007 universal pickup arm and founded Audio-Technica Trading Co. in Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo.
1969
Technica's capital was increased to thirty million yen. The company began exporting stereo pickup heads to audio manufacturers in other countries. This year also saw the development of the AT-VM3 VM stereo pickup, and the VM stereo pickup format was patented in Sweden.
1971
Technical Audio-Technica's VM stereo pickups were patented in the UK and USA.
1972
Technical Triangle Seiko Co., Ltd. is founded in Machida, Tokyo, and Tektronix America Inc. is founded in Detroit, Ohio, and Tektronix begins selling magnetic heads to U.S. office equipment manufacturers.
1973
Company's capital increases to 100 million dollars. Began exporting VM stereo pickup heads to European audio manufacturers.Another important event in 1973 was that the Fukuoka factory became a branch office, Audio-Technica Fukuoka Co. Started construction of a new factory building in Ikeda-cho, Fukuoka.
1974
Technica developed the AT-700 stereo headphone series. At the Stereo Components Grand Prix, the AT-15E VM stereo pickup head won the top prize in the pickup category. This pickup also won many other awards, and the VM stereo pickup was patented in West Germany.
1975
Technica began marketing the AT-13d, 12d, 11d, and 10d (D-series) stereo pickups with cases. During the year, the AT-705 electret condenser headphones and the AT-15Sa/G, AT-14SA/G and AT-14E/G (G series) stereo pickups with magnesium alloy housings were also released.
1976
Technica's vm stereo pickups are patented in Japan, and the AT-714 moving-coil headphones are sold. Also with magnesium alloy housing and AT-15Ea/G, AT-14EA/G, AT-13E/G and AT-12E/G series stereo pickups.
1977
The Audio-Technica Exhibition Hall and Audio-Technica Auditorium are completed at the headquarters base.
European sales office opened in Dusseldorf, West Germany.
The AT-34 double moving coil stereo pickup head was developed.
1978
ATH-8 and ATH-7 condenser headphones receive the MITI Award for Excellence in Design ("G-Mark"). These headphones also received many other awards. The year also saw the development of the AT-800 series of miniature microphones and the establishment of Audio-Technica (UK) Ltd. in Leeds, England.
1979
Technical Triangle's Fukui Ikeda Factory was reorganized into a branch office, Audio-Technica (Ikeda) Co.
1980
Technica was awarded the Tokyo Artists Club (ADC) prize for the best packaging design for its products.
Technica acquired the sound protection division of Ball Corporation in the USA.
1981
Developed the R series of remote powered microphones and the AT-666 vacuum record stabilizer.
1982
Construction of Audio-Technica's new headquarters building was completed. The AT-727 Sound Burger stereo desktop amplifier was developed.
1983
The Machida Factory was reorganized into a branch office, namely: Audio-Technica Machida Corporation.
Technical Triangle's Fukui Shimizu Factory was also reorganized and rebuilt as Tektronix Shimizu Co.
This year also saw the development of LD and CD regulators, the AT-SP3 and AT-SP5 series of miniature loudspeakers, and the AT-5001 and AT-5002 video cleaner tapes.
1984
Technica received the Chairman's Award at the Greening Research and Development Center's third Factory Greening Awards.
1985
Mexican manufacturing company, AUTEC México, wins the National Quality Award. The two factories in Fukuoka are renamed Audio-Technica Fukuoka Ltd. and Audio-Technica Ikeda Ltd. The Live House series of mixer amplifiers and amplifiers are developed, as well as the ASM300 commercial sushi onigiri machine. The year also saw the debut of the newly developed TC30/400 TechniClean cleaning system for printing equipment and the UniPoint series of ultra-compressed microphones for professional use.
1986
Technica succeeded in commercializing Pure Copper (PCOCC) AV cables made by Ohno continuous casting. Audio-Technica Fukuoka begins production of CD pickups. Audio-Technica develops the AT33ML/OCC pickup core, the world's first pickup core made of PCOCC material. During the year, the company also debuted a wireless microphone system, the first in this field, as well as a boundary microphone, which was quickly adopted by broadcasters everywhere.
1987
During this year, the Super PCOCC cable was commercialized, and the AT-6195 plastic-coated fiber (PCF) optical digital cable was developed. The company also developed the AT-MX30 Disco Concrete Ringer as an addition to the Live House line, and the AT-6060 Ultrasonic CD Laser Mirror Cleaner.
1988
Technica commercializes the PCOCC/6N and Super PCOCC/6N cables. Audio-Technica Taiwan is established. the AT-SP500 Bookshelf (bookshelf) microphone series is launched under the SEEM name.
1990
National Astronomical Observatory Nobeyama Wireless Observatory installed Audio-Technica's visible laser collimator. Audio-Technica developed a commercial onigiri machine. Other products developed during this period included the ATH-CL5 cordless stereo headset, the AT-7000 series mobile sound system, and the 800MHz wireless stereo system for professional use.
1992
The AT4033 condenser microphone was voted Best Microphone of 1991 at the Audio Engineering Society (AES) conference.
Technica's UniPoint and Boundary microphones are used in the reading of the Tokyo Declaration following the U.S.-Japan Summit.
Developed the AT-KV series of commercial karaoke microphones.
1993
Hideo Matsushita is appointed Chairman, and Kazuo Matsushita succeeds him as President. Developed the Norimaki Maker, an industrial sushi rice ball maker, and the ATC-NF60 computerized squelch filter filter.
1994
The Shari Maker, a specialized device for mixing vinegar and rice for sushi, was launched in this year, as were the U Series stereo headphones and the AT747 music lamp.
1996
Audio-technica (S.E.A.) Pte. Ltd. in Singapore was established. Audio-Technica microphones and headphones are used in various venues at the Atlanta Olympics. The ATH-W10VTG stereo headphones win a special jury award from Mono (Mono) magazine, followed by numerous awards from other magazines in the industry.
1998
New products developed include the Surge Buster and ATC-NF95WIN headphones, marketed under the WinTap name. A "Creation Center" is established at Audio-Technica's Fukuoka Busei Factory. The AT4060 tube studio condenser microphone is added to Audio-Technica's microphone lineup. A sales center with state-of-the-art facilities is completed in Yamato City, Kanagawa Prefecture. The company also develops the ATH-W11 JPN dynamic headphones featuring a lacquered housing.
1999
The number of musicians who enjoy Audio-Technica microphones rises sharply through the establishment of contacts, activities and support for artists. New product developments include the AT-ART2000 MC stereo pickup head.
2000
As a result of the outstanding performance of Audio-Technica products at the Atlanta Olympics, the company is selected to provide microphones and headsets to be used at all venues at the Sydney Olympics, where the ATH-AD7 Pneumatic Air Headset wins three awards, including one at the Compo Grand Prix. Established AUTEC Ltd. in California.
2002
Technica celebrates its 40th anniversary on April 17th.
Technical Triangle Fukuoka Plant is certified to ISO 14001, the international standard for environmental management.
2003
Dexcom Audio-Technica introduced the groundbreaking AT3060 vacuum tube condenser microphone.
2004
The XXVIII Olympic Games were held in Athens, where Audio-Technica's broadcasting systems were widely used.
Dexcom Audio-Technica introduced the more cost-effective AT2020 studio professional microphone.
2005
The ATH-W5000 and AT-HA5000 premium ebony headphones and headphone amplifiers were introduced. Launched the Artist Classic Series ARTIST ELITE 5000 in Japan. Audio-Technica won the 2005 Outstanding Design Company Award.
2006
At the Ice Quarters Competition at the Winter Olympics in Turin, Italy, the AEW5000 Series wireless system operated on 40 channels simultaneously. Audio-Technica supported the Grammy Awards for the ninth consecutive year by providing wired microphones and wireless systems at the awards. An improved atm series of microphones is released. The construction of a factory in Hangzhou, China is nearing completion.
2012
In 2012 Audio-Technica celebrated its 50th anniversary and introduced a number of 50th anniversary products such as the W3000ANV, HA5000ANV, CKW1000ANV, PRO700MK2ANV, as well as mass-produced new generation flagship earphones such as the CK100PRO and CKM1000. .
Technical Triangle Japan, in addition to offering a wide range of products under its brand name, has become a leading OEM supplier of audio/video converters, optical transducers, and a wide variety of audio/video professional equipment. In 1994, Audio-Technica (Greater China) Limited was established in Hong Kong, specializing in business development in China, Hong Kong and Macau. Audio-Technica (Greater China) Ltd. was established in Hong Kong in 1994, specializing in business development in China, Hong Kong and Macau. The company provides the Greater China region with a wide range of products from general consumer headphones and HiFi products to professional-grade conferencing systems, broadcasting, performance and recording equipment. Audio-Technica America's product markets have spread throughout the Western Hemisphere. In addition, Audio-Technica companies in Hong Kong, Europe and Singapore are also growing rapidly. Today, Audio-Technica has established itself as a leader in its field of expertise and is committed to providing even better products and services to its customers around the world.