Are ribbon microphones better?

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ilovemusic

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I came to learn more about ribbon microphones recently. To my surprise, it looks like ribbon microphones are much better microphones when it comes to sound reproduction while I used to think condenser microphones are in the lead. But how come ribbon microphones are not so popular these days?
 
No, not necessarily "better". Certainly "different".
It depends what the application is, i.e. what you're going to record with them.

Ribbons are used professionally still, but you do have to be careful with them as the ribbon diaphragms are delicate. They don't like having air blown into them, or high level low frequency sound because it can flatten the diaphragms out, which need to be corrugated to stay stiff. Even dropping them can dislodge the ribbon, and some don't like having phantom power applied to them.

Ribbon mics have a figure 8 response because of their design, so reject a huge amount of any sound on their dead-axis (from the sides or above/below) and are fairly directional (pick up sound from front / back).
 
ilovemusic said:
But how come ribbon microphones are not so popular these days?
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There's probably more ribbon mics today than there ever were in the past....seems like every mic manufacturer has a ribbon model.

I use a ribbon on guitar cabs almost exclusively...just love the tone I get with a ribbon. Even sounds great on piano, especially how it mellows the upper registers.
 
ilovemusic said:
I came to learn more about ribbon microphones recently. To my surprise, it looks like ribbon microphones are much better microphones when it comes to sound reproduction while I used to think condenser microphones are in the lead. But how come ribbon microphones are not so popular these days?
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Condensers (Good condensers - Not half the crap being pushed out there today -- although there are plenty of "bandwagon" crappy ribbons also) are generally more transparent -- They tend to capture "more of what's actually there" --- Which is why they're great for string instruments, winds, instrumental vocals, etc.

It's also why they tend to suck for other things -- Aggressive vocals, uber-dynamic sources, distorted guitars, etc.

The point -- Although they tend to pick up "more of what's actually there" how often do we actually want to do that in the recording process? Not so much.
 
What do you think would qualify as a "good condenser" mic? I only ask because I have an AKG perception 100 and I think its great for the value.
 
m.g. eddie said:
What do you think would qualify as a "good condenser" mic? I only ask because I have an AKG perception 100 and I think its great for the value.
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Telefunken U47. It costs about 85 times as much as a Perception 100. Peluso make some nice Neumann/Telefunken copies for something like a quarter of the price.

But what makes a mic "good" is that it sounds good on a particular source, regardless of price. They are creative tools, not scientific measurement devices.
 
cobaltaudio said:
Ribbons are used professionally still, but you do have to be careful with them as the ribbon diaphragms are delicate. They don't like having air blown into them, or high level low frequency sound because it can flatten the diaphragms out, which need to be corrugated to stay stiff. Even dropping them can dislodge the ribbon, and some don't like having phantom power applied to them.
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So ribbon microphones are delicate. I guess that explains the fact that price tags on them are high.
 
If your break them you can always rip the ribbon out and wear it in your hair... moresound does this, I believe...
 
Christina Y said:
So ribbon microphones are delicate. I guess that explains the fact that price tags on them are high.
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You can get truly excellent ribbons for well under $1k. They're cheap. Freakishly cheap in some cases.
 
bouldersoundguy said:
Telefunken U47. It costs about 85 times as much as a Perception 100.
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Or something like the Brauner VM1 KHE (Klaus Heyne Edition) tube mic...only 100 made. Cost over $8k new, and now fetches used prices as high as $21k!!! :eek:
Apparently...if you ever get to use one, you WILL need a fresh pair of underwear. :D

I think I saw one on eBay just recently with a $13k BIN price...I'm playing the lottery tomorrow. ;)
 
I don't like talking specific mics - as one of the above have noted already, they are creative tools. Every guitar or voice will sound particular different and every mic, or better suited for a mic that you'd never think would be amazing. A lot of Condenser mics can be used to replicate a ribbon mic's pick up pattern. And most are rather in-expensive.

Grabbing a mic, for a home studio or home applications should be inexpensive, and might as well grab up a few. I have a AKG 200 Perception, Behinger B2 Pro, and have worked with Audio Technica 4040, SHURE SM58's and Rhode NT1 and NT2. All very amazing mics. B2 Pro and NT2 have figure 8 pick up capabilities.
All comes down to mixing people...
It's always and for ever will always be about the mixing.
I have used shitty ass Sony Omnidirectional mics ($50) and made amazing sounding vocal tracks.
ITS ABOUT THE MIXING DAMNIT!
 
A ribbon mic is going to mercilessly highlight any deficiencies in your room. Caveat emptor.
 
JesusMics said:
I don't like talking specific mics - as one of the above have noted already, they are creative tools. Every guitar or voice will sound particular different and every mic, or better suited for a mic that you'd never think would be amazing. A lot of Condenser mics can be used to replicate a ribbon mic's pick up pattern. And most are rather in-expensive.

Grabbing a mic, for a home studio or home applications should be inexpensive, and might as well grab up a few. I have a AKG 200 Perception, Behinger B2 Pro, and have worked with Audio Technica 4040, SHURE SM58's and Rhode NT1 and NT2. All very amazing mics. B2 Pro and NT2 have figure 8 pick up capabilities.
All comes down to mixing people...
It's always and for ever will always be about the mixing.
I have used shitty ass Sony Omnidirectional mics ($50) and made amazing sounding vocal tracks.
ITS ABOUT THE MIXING DAMNIT!
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I think the R0de NT1A sucks donkey balls. YMMV.
 
JesusMics said:
It's always and for ever will always be about the mixing.

ITS ABOUT THE MIXING DAMNIT!
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Are you serious? I hope you are joking...... if you get it right at the source, you don't have to fix everything in the mix, it mixes itself.
 
Supercreep said:
A ribbon mic is going to mercilessly highlight any deficiencies in your room. Caveat emptor.
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Yeah...the back of the mic is equally picking things up, but it's not always a bad thing, though you are right, if there is a lot of "bad" signal bouncing off the room into the back of the ribbon, it could be a problem.
I've not had any real issues, and I like the openness you get.

Even with my main tube condenser that I use for vocals...I most often use the 2:00 position in the multi-pattern choices, which is "leans" toward figure-8, with 12:00 being the straight cardioid position and 5:00 the full figure-8.
It really sounds good, without that tight, in-your-face vibe with a straight cardioid pattern, but I always face the backside of the mic down the lenght of my room, and it's about in the middle of the room from the side walls.
 
Ribbon mics tend to be nice. They can take a lot of SPL and keep on going. They don't have a lot of frequency bandwidth so it's like a built in brick wall filter. Which can be useful if you're not the type to do a lot of editing in post. The figure 8 pattern can be a blessing or a curse. They generally need a lot of gain which will likely mean a better back end in terms of preamps and such. On soft sources they can be too noisy because of that back end need for lots of clean gain. They don't like travel much, or wind, but you can re-ribbon them for much less than buying a replacement mic element on other mics. (if you do the work yourself). Lots of pros and cons. I do a lot of outdoor stuff and travel, so a ribbon mic is probably the last thing that I need. Even though there's a number of them that would sound pretty awesome on certain things. If it weren't for the rain, wind, shock, and other influences typical of my situation.
 
ilovemusic said:
I came to learn more about ribbon microphones recently. To my surprise, it looks like ribbon microphones are much better microphones when it comes to sound reproduction while I used to think condenser microphones are in the lead. But how come ribbon microphones are not so popular these days?
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I am just going to ignore everything posted above here and say - Yes they are better.







jk - IDK crap about microphones - :laughings::laughings:

sorry :(
 
arcadeko said:
I am just going to ignore everything posted above here and say - Yes they are better.
jk - IDK crap about microphones - :laughings::laughings:

sorry :(
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What? ..... What? Did I miss something?


I usta love playing Galaga you know that Arcadeko.
 
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