ACM200 vs. ACM300???

[drBill]

Does anybody have any thoughts on why they're getting an ACM200 vs. ACM300 or vice versa?? I've got several of the NON-phantom powered ribbons on my list, but can't seem to find out a lot about the phantom powered versions. Any thoughts or observations would be appreciated here - and I'm sure others are wondering the same thing. Cheers,

bp

PS - does the dual ribboned 200 have similar roll off characteristics as the other dual ribboned mics like the ACM4?

 

[drBill]

No one?? OK, how about why you decided not to get in on these mics on the group buy.

 

[RightOnMusic]

no one has used them as they were not available in the last group buy.

 

[drBill]

no one has used them as they were not available in the last group buy.

I'm aware of that. Just curious why people are choosing to buy, or choosing not to buy one or the other vs. the older most "established" brands of ribbons that most of us know about.

 

[Zetajazz44]

Chance used a ribbon mic on the vocals in the last project he recorded... I'm pretty sure that he used a phantom powered one too... At least that's what I remember him telling me... Might shoot him a PM and ask...

I've never used a phantom powered ribbon, but I'd sure like to try...

Randy

 

[pohaku]

I think that some of the new gear is essentially being purchased on spec - that is - at the extremely low prices involved, one can afford to experiment. If you don't like it, odds are you can sell it on e-bay with minimal if any loss. I figure than none of it is likely to be any worse than the other more commonly commercially available Chinese mics that have flooded the market.

 

[cnix]

I choose the ACM-300, already have the ACM-3, and wanted a phantom ribbon. I choose the 300 cause it looks cool. As you can tell, I am a real technical type of guy when it comes to choosing gear.

Charlie

 

[juan162]

I choose the ACM-300, already have the ACM-3, and wanted a phantom ribbon. I choose the 300 cause it looks cool. As you can tell, I am a real technical type of guy when it comes to choosing gear.

Charlie

You and me both. I'm sure the 2 mics sound different, and who knows which one is good on what source, but I chose the one I thought was the coolest looking,

Juan

 

[drBill]

I choose the 300 cause it looks cool.

I chose the one I thought was the coolest looking,

As good a reason as any I suppose. I have to say, the 200 is a pretty ugly mic. I know Chance said they were two different animals (can't remember exactly how it worded it), but I'd sure like to know their basic personalities. A 57 and 87 can both be used on Vox, Room and Ac. Gtr, but they sure sound different. Wish I had a little more info.....

Thanks for your thoughts guys!

bp

 

[ausrock]

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, I don't mind the ACM200's appearance .

I asked Chance about it a couple of weeks ago as he has a prototype which he said he loves on guitar cabs so make of that what you will.

 

[Chris Long]

It's funny; I'm getting the 200 over the 300 for a number of reasons, one of which is that I think the 300 doesn't look good! I just don't like that metal/grill/space station look.

The 200 is kind of boring-looking, but it doesn't offend me (like the 300 does...). And I had wanted a phantom ribbon, and also a dual ribbon. So--I got both in the 200.

So there it is:
1. 200 looks OK to me
2. It's phantom powered
3. Dual ribbbons

That's as coherent as my choosing process gets!

 

[crazydoc]

I'm getting 3 300's, but only 2 200's - all based on looks. That side view with the pop screen looks like it's right out of a time machine.

 

[drBill]

Chris - doesn't the phantom kind of negate needing a dual ribbon? I mean, wasn't the whole concept of a dual ribbon to boost the signal level out of the mic? Essentially the same thing the phantom powered ribbon is doing?

crazy - why 3? Curious....

 

[cnix]

I'm getting 3 300's, but only 2 200's - all based on looks. That side view with the pop screen looks like it's right out of a time machine.

I love the shallow approach we are taking to select our new microphones.

 

[Chris Long]

Chris - doesn't the phantom kind of negate needing a dual ribbon?

Negate it?!?...HELL, it OBLITERATES IT, SON!!!

I mean, wasn't the whole concept of a dual ribbon to boost the signal level out of the mic? Essentially the same thing the phantom powered ribbon is doing?

Jeez, what's with all this technical talk?

Wait--you're trying to trick me...right?














Right?

 

[Chris Long]

Seriously, I don't know. I thought that a dual ribbon also had some different sound capturing qualities besides the output thing, as compared to a single ribbon.

In the immortal words of Stroker McGuirk: "If some's good and more's better, then too much is just enough".

I rest my case, Your Honor.

 

[drBill]

Wait--you're trying to trick me...right?


Right?

LOL

Watch the hands carefully.....they never leave the body.......



No, seriously, I thought that back in the day, someone came up with the dual ribbon idea to boost output of what is obviously a low output device.

If I can get one mic (sorry....tech talk again) to sound right, I much prefer it to putting up two....or more. Sonically that is.

 

[drBill]

Michael Joly had some interesting things to say about dual ribbons. he was refering to the Apex215 (ACM4) though, but I would aSSume that much of it applies to the 200....

Small variances between the resonant frequency tuning of the ribbons gives this mic a very broad proximity effect which is also provides a strong amplitude boost. So you may want to tame the low end response as well.

The ribbons are side-by-side, this fact, and the wide magnets used plus the wide mechanical design of the motor structure are responsible for the fairly early high frequency roll-off. The dual-ribbon design, while more sensitive, also colors off-axis sound due to arrival time differences between the off-axis source (or reflection) and the two ribbons. Not so much of an issue though for on-axis vocal use.

The off axis coloration and time alignment issues would be what I would expect from a mic with 2 trandsucers in it's cage. But, I'm just a knucklehead...what do I know??

Wait....don't answer that!

 

[dgatwood]

Chris - doesn't the phantom kind of negate needing a dual ribbon? I mean, wasn't the whole concept of a dual ribbon to boost the signal level out of the mic? Essentially the same thing the phantom powered ribbon is doing?

Yeah. On the flip side, the powered bits also will drive long cable runs a lot better without HF loss (compared with a transformer), which will help make the dual ribbon feel a lot more like a single with a transformer would.

I don't know about anybody else, but my first mod on this thing will probably be to add a switch on the ribbon elements so I can disable one ribbon for a different coloration to the sound.

Speaking of which... I have a challenge for folks with manufacturing contacts. Find me somebody willing to make custom switches that are single pole, double throw, center "both". Nearly every project I've ever wanted to do would have been made far easier and simpler if I could have found switches in that configuration. By contrast, I have never in my life built anything more complex than a science fair project that benefitted from a center off position....

 

[crazydoc]

Speaking of which... I have a challenge for folks with manufacturing contacts. Find me somebody willing to make custom switches that are single pole, double throw, center "both". Nearly every project I've ever wanted to do would have been made far easier and simpler if I could have found switches in that configuration. By contrast, I have never in my life built anything more complex than a science fair project that benefitted from a center off position....

I believe the toggle switches on two-pickup guitars and basses are what you are looking for.
http://www.stewmac.com/freeinfo/Electronics/Wiring_diagrams/i-1217.html