Ribbon Microphone Shinybox 46MXC

[clocksandclouds]

I just aquired the shinybox 46MXC and really like the sound I'm getting out of it. The only problem is I have to crank my pre in order to get enough gain that I'm looking for. This gives me some noise that I'm assuming is from the pre. It's like a high hiss that I can't get rid of. I'm wondering what pre can give me enough gain without getting excess noise. Right now I have a Trident S20 and a UA6176. I get more luck with the UA then the trident but still noise I'm not wanting in my mix.

I'm still kind of a dummy when it comes to understand the engineering side of things, although I'm trying to learn.

Here's the specs of the shinybox.

Ribbon Microphone Type and Dimensions: Low tension, 2 inch aluminum ribbon
Pattern: Figure of 8
Recommended Load Impedence: > 1000 ohms
Frequency Response: 30 to 18,000 Hz

 

[TimOBrien]

You can add 20db to the mic with the TritonAudio Fethead ($99) or Cloud Microphones Cloudlifter ($149)

These will alow you to back off on the preamp, losing the hiss.

Otherwise you might have to get a preamp that is designed to give high gain for ribbon mics
(like the AEA Ribbon Pre - $900)

 

[aaronmcoleman]

I don't know about that one, but most ribbons need about 60db of gain. I've used RNP, GAP pre73, a Neve clone, and an API 512 clone and all have enough gain to not hiss. I'd think any pre that can give 60db clean should be good for it.

 

[moresound]

You should have gotten the 46MXL.

 

[clocksandclouds]

Thanks for the thoughts. I will be getting the shinybox 4 channel pre soon as well. All these are done by trade so kind of free gear. I assume this pre can handle the mics they make.