best use of a ribbon mic

[lilcapn]

i recently got a Beyer m-160 ribbon mic, planning to use it mainly for strings and horns, but i'm wondering about other applications:

- is it safe to use on a guitar amp?

- anyone used one on acoustic guitar?

thanks for any recommendations/experiences with this mic!

mac

 

[knownuttin]

Killer sounds on a guitar amp, but don't place it too close. Depending on the amp volume, I keep mine at least six inches from the cloth.

Ribbons are somewhat delicate. You must take care to protect the capsule from sharp wind. Not the right choice if you're trying to sound like James Hetfield. Larry Carlton, maybe.

Acoustic: haven't tried it. I would expect you would have to boost the gain so high that the S/N ratio would suffer, but try it and tell me. That there's a fine mic, so take care of it and it should serve you well.
-kent

 

[Digital Reason]

I used to have a Coles 4038 at my disposal some time ago, I used to use it for upright bass 100%, the ribbon 1 foot off of the floor a little off axis a few feet back with a large diaphragm condenser a little higher up closer to the fingers. I also have heard good results with a ribbon on a nylon classical guitar, SOFT vocals (jazz N such) and room mic for piano. I have not had a chance to fool with the Beyer m-160 so I am just speaking of ribbon mics in general I personally am to afraid to place ribbon mics on instruments that produce high SPL's (Drums, Guitar amps, percussion etc) especially when the mic doesn't belong to me, as a personal rule I would only use a ribbon when doing jazz or traditional type stuff with soft acoustic instruments, I find that it naturally brings out the warmth in things.
Just my 2 cents, hope it helps.

Jeff
Saunavation Audio Productions

 

[lilcapn]

spls?

thanks for your recommendations -- they kind of support my fears about micing loud things, but maybe you can clear up something for me:

-- i can't find in the documentation with the mic any kind of rating as to what kind of Sound Pressure Levels it can handle -- what is the measurement unit for these and is each mic rated in this way?

-- SPL's aren't so much about volume as the amount of air moving, correct? for instance:

a snare drum that sounds as loud as a kick drum is moving far less air, and could conceivably be mic'd with a ribbon, whereas a kick might damage it?

the pamphlet with the mic actually recommends it for snare drum, but i don't want to do something stupid!

thanks again,
mac

 

[petimar]

I often use ribbon mics on accoustic guitar, mandolin, fiddle and some vocals. I use the Royer R121 (terrific mic) and an M160 reribboned with RCA 77 ribbons. The reribboning by Stephen Sank really upgraded the sound of the M160.

 

[Digital Reason]

Yeah not the volume but the air pressure that a sound makes could damage the mic, I honestly don't know if there is documented info on how much spl a mic can take I think this is mainly because the average person like me and you do not have the acoustic instruments to accurately measure SPL levels at the sound source. If it recommends it for a snare drum I would have to assume that the Beyer m-160 it made to be more sturdy than the coles mic I had mentioned in my last post because I would never use the ribbon on a snare, not only because of the snare but also because of the proximity to the rest of the drum kit. I would guess that you could use it as a snare or hat ride mic but for softer players (brushes and soft sticks) not your full tilt rock / metal players.
Just out of curiosity, what kind of warranty did you get when you bought the Beyer m-160?????
Just my 2 cents

Jeff
Saunavation Audio Productions

 

[lilcapn]

i'll have to look at the warranty when i get home -- i'm not sure to tell you the truth!

i bought it from the musicians-gear.com website which i had read about on the tapeop board, and though it took a couple weeks, the mic ended up being considerably cheaper than anywhere i could find it over here (around $310 INCLUDING shipping).

i'll check the warranty later, though i imagine it's just the manufacturer's warranty, not the retailer's...

mac

 

[Henrik]

I think Bruce (Blue Bear Sound) included it in his last microphone shootout, where he recorded an acoustic guitar. Make a search and you'll find it.

I recall it to be a bit boomy in the lows, but the highs were sweet. Placed differently (farther away, or pointed away from the soundhole) it may be great. But it would probably require a very quiet preamp.

One day I will get one myself. I'd love to use that and a M130 for M-S recording of drums and other things.

Petimar,
how would you describe the mics sound before/after you did the Sank mod?

Cheers
/Henrik

 

[postalblue]

Petimar,
how would you describe the mics sound before/after you did the Sank mod?

and also, how much did it cost?

 

[petimar]

M160 mod by Stephen Sank

I got the M160 used, and compared to the Royer R121 I also have, it wasn't in the same league. Was not clear in the upper mids and highs, had to mic very close to get enough gain, not much detail in the sound.

After the modification, while not quite as good as the Royer for what I use (fiddle, mandolin, some accoustic guitar, one male vocalist on certain songs), it comes very close. I was very happy with the mod. I'm going to use it where the Royers figure 8 pattern is not what I want to use.

As the M160 is a double ribbon mic, he charged around $190.00. For single ribbon Beyers I think it is around $120.00.

You can find Stephen at

http://www.thuntek.net/~bk11/home.htm

Pete

 

[postalblue]

thanks a lot. i'll check it out.
if you had some time, maybe you could post a sound sample.