Fostex M11RP Mic Applications

[AcadiaRush]

I have a Fostex M11RP mic which is no longer made. It uses what Fostex described as a "printed ribbon" technology because of its warm sound resembling a ribbon microphone. It supposedly combines attributes of the ribbon, condenser, and dynamic technologies. If anyone out there has used this mic, what were the best applications you found it useful for? I've heard that it is good as an overhead drum mic, for horns, harmonica (acoustic style), etc.

 

[DigitMus]

I've got 2 of them. I like them on guitar amps, horns, vocals and kick drum. They are brighter than nost ribbon mics, and sturdier, but otherwise you can treat it as a ribbon. Try it through a good tube mic pre, if you have one available.

Scott

 

[AcadiaRush]

Scott,

Thanks for your information! Relative to the vocals use..... Was it better at lead, background, group?

Greg

 

[DigitMus]

RE: vocals -
It really depends on the music & production style you're going for. Just make sure you try it out when you're putting up vocal mics. It tends toward the "intimate" - so it may not be first call for background stuff - but again, that depends what role the BG vox are going to play in the mix...

Scott

 

[AcadiaRush]

Scott,

Thanks again. What would you suggest for a good tube preamp and approximate cost?

Greg

 

[DigitMus]

I wasn't trying to suggest that you buy a tube preamp just to use with this mic; I just thought you ougt to try one if you had it available. There are a lot of "tube" preamps (i.e. preamps with a tube in them somewhere) that are no better, and probably a little worse, than solid state ones you can get for the same money. A good tube pre-amp (all-tube circuit, tubes run at full plate voltage) will cost quite a bit. Preamps like the Groove Tubes Vipre, or similar offerings from D.W. Fearn, Manley, etc. will run you between $1500 and $2500+ per channel.
The bottom line is, just using the built-in preamp on a low or mid priced mixing board probably won't bring out the best in the mic, so use the best preamp you have available. If you don't have any 'good' preamps, the FMR "Really Nice Preamp" is a good place to start. If you've got a bit more of a budget, the Great River ME1NV is a world class preamp for around $1000. If you're serious about recording and audio engineering, don't make the mistake of buying something that you think is "good enough" because that's all the money you have. Incremental upgrades of gear often turn into 'side-grades' (i.e. different, but not better) - save up and buy something that is 2 steps above what you have. You'll grow into it, and get a lot more use out of it in the long run.
Just some random thoughts, not sure if they apply to your situation, but take them for what they're worth.

Scott