Has anybody used this guide for ribbon mics?

[Pitseleh]

DIY ribbon mic

has anybody used this guide before to make their own ribbon mic? I saw a review in Tape Op magazine and the reviewer said the guide was very detailed and easy to use. I was just wondering, how would a guy fair in this without any microphone building experience?

[hungovermorning]

I have it, it's not very easy. Definitely one of those things that turns into a "well some day I'll do it." What it is worth, however is understanding how a ribbon mic works, which I like.

[crazydoc]

I don't have it, but looking at the demo page and photos, I'd say if you can solder and have rudimentary tools and skills (hacksaw, drill, dremel type tool and the like) that you can probably swing it. The hard part will be corrugating and installing the ribbon - this will take patience and a steady hand. He hopefully may have some tricks or tips on doing this.

[Marik]

Originally Posted by crazydoc

The hard part will be corrugating and installing the ribbon - this will take patience and a steady hand.

I actually was considering posting plans for high output DIY ribbon, and even making kits. Because of lack of cheap foil suitable for ribbons I however had to drop the idea.

Best, M

[rickshawrecords]

Originally Posted by crazydoc

The hard part will be corrugating and installing the ribbon - this will take patience and a steady hand. He hopefully may have some tricks or tips on doing this.

It can be - and he does. (wink-wink)
Actually, 2 methods for corrugating the ribbon are discussed in the tutorial, and it has a nifty method for installing it.

I only have a few testimonials on my website, (including one from Bob Crowley of Crowley & Tripp) but you can check out p.80 of the Jan/Feb 2008 Tape Op, or read what people have said about the tutorial via my eBay feedback here: http://tinyurl.com/3ysw6d

Personally, I think making the chassis is the hardest part. (I'm no good with a hacksaw) So because I don't like to cut metal, I'm writing a ribbon-motor upgrade mod for the super-popular, yet crappy sounding $59 MXL 990.
The mod will be released sometime in February as a free tutorial on my website. Then, you can buy a $40 used MXL 990, build the ribbon motor while you're waiting for it to arrive, spend an evening installing the upgrade, and end-up with a mic that sounds quite nice for recording.

- Rickshaw
www.rickshawrecords.com/ribbonmic