Ribbon or Tube or?

[Tonio]

Is a ribbon or tube mic better at taming transients for percussive instruments for a natural capture?
Is that totally vague or what?

T

[krs]

Normally a compressor or limiter is used to 'tame transients', not the mic. Maybe I don't understand the question - quality tube and ribbon mics have excellent transient response.

[Han]

What's wrong with transients? In case there are exessive transients like a drummer who likes to hit the bell of his ride cymbal really hard, I prefer a ribbon or a high quality dynamic like the Sennheiser MD441 or Beyer M201.

[Tonio]

Guess I was vague. I had a whole schmeal written out, and the whole post got lost in cyber space. oh well.

Maybe I'm just lusting for a tube or ribbon mic. It may just be a mixing issue, or maybe looking for some color or a different tonality.

Mics in my closet:
sm81's
57
421mkii
e609
Beyer m201
ev408
d2's
414
c3000

Mic pres;
Grace 101
Soundcraft SX(small mixer)

MOTU 1224, 2408mkii into DAW

You;d think I would have enough variation in the mics I do have. I do try to utilize different mic placement as much as time allows. The room is acoustically treated to a decent response.
Maybe a compressor is the ticket-but I try not to use one on the way in.
when I says transients I mean: cymbals/snare(don't have the whole kit at 1 time), piano, trumpet, congas, bongos.

Is a tube or ribbon mic someting I should be looking at? Or a pre. krs' suggestion of a comp/limiter has crossed my mind. I do have a RNC, but like I said I don't really use a comp on the way in. At least i don't think I need one-maybe I do?

T

[AGCurry]

I don't have any tube mics, but I do have several ribbons. A good ribbon mic is unbeatable for transient handling. And, as you say, maybe you need/want a different color.

[Tonio]

Hey thanks AGCurry!
I've been eyeballing the Beyer 160. Smooth comes to mind!! RCA, AEA and Royer is above my budget.

T

[old crow]

Hey Tonio, like you, I'm just starting out, but I may be able to answer part of your question. I recently bought a pair of Nady ribbon mics and tried them on my drums for the first time. I placed them in front and below the cymbals and what a difference it made. It really did tame down the cymbals. They now sound real nice and I could probably get by w./o. a mic on the snare too. I'll be asking questions in the drum column about placement.
Can't beat these mics for vocals either.

[Warhead]

Seems like the effect you're looking for can be found in many dynamic mics.

War

[Tonio]

Originally Posted by Warhead

Seems like the effect you're looking for can be found in many dynamic mics.

War

I hear you War-dynamics do have a 'compressed' sound. Maybe I should keep
the dough and just try radical placement- or use a comp.

T