ACM-3 Question

[BobbyBalow]

Hey guys,

I picked up an ACM-3 ribbon mic and I heard a lot of people were having problems with ribbon tension. I took mine apart just to see if there might be some "ribbon sag" but I don't know what to look for. All I know is that the ribbon isn't straight as I imagined, but rather wavey. Does this mean it needs to be retensioned? If so, how do you do it. I see there are some screws that hold the ribbon down, but how tight do you pull it, should you use a needle nose pliers to or bare hands to pull it tight, etc.

I included some pics to show you guys what I mean.

 

[RightOnMusic]

is this acm3 from the current group buy or the previous one? the pic angles aren't the best for seeing sag, but they look okay to me based on the pics. the corrugations in the ribbon are supposed to be there. you can tell if you have ribbon sag if the corrugated ribbon isn't taught between the clamps. if this were the case, your ribbon, when viewed from the side, would be drooping down like a rickety rope bridge (think indiana jones and the temple of doom).

 

[antichef]

I agree that angle's not the best, but the problems we were seeing with the ones from the previous GB would be glaringly obvious in those pictures, and they're not there.

That looks about like the ACM-3 I got in the current GB, and the ribbon seems fine to me.

 

[MichaelJoly]

Compare the pics here with your mic (be sure to click on them to enlarge) and read how to fix it if there is a problem.

 

[Marcadiablo]

Compare the pics here with your mic (be sure to click on them to enlarge) and read how to fix it if there is a problem.

My antivirus says that link has a malware.

 

[MichaelJoly]

ah, the link is just a string of html text. Do you mean the destination has an issue? I've pointed to HomeTracked dozens of times with no issues reported.

 

[Marcadiablo]

Have no idea. Avast warns.

 

[tarnationsauce2]

Yeah that link does have something up with it. Something about a gzip in an I-frame.

Please read this post about my 1st gen ACM3 that had a loose ribbon: https://homerecording.com/bbs/showthread.php?t=254617
There are more pics and talk about saggy ribbons and how I fixed mine.

A youtube video showing how a loose ribbon element moves: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nsLDBIOijc8

You can see a bit of bowing:

 

[MichaelJoly]

...Please read this post about my 1st gen ACM3 that had a loose ribbon: https://homerecording.com/bbs/showthread.php?t=254617
There are more pics and talk about saggy ribbons and how I fixed mine.

Great reference link Tarnation with excellent pics and DIY info you provided, I'd forgotten about that one! Folks can see the ribbon sag we talk about is not at all subtle and is easilly spotted. Oh, and the YouTube video of the "S" stretched ribbon is priceless.