My Ribbon Manifesto for Noobs like me

  • Thread starter Thread starter Obi-Wan zenabI
  • Start date Start date
dgatwood said:
ribbons should generally take EQ better than other mics because you don't have such sharp peaks and troughs to contend with.
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that's a really good point.
 
Well thanks alot guys, I'm expanding my noob mic inventory as we speak, I'll put a ribbon on my list. Thanks alot!
 
cool. I'm going out to the studio right now to hang the rest of my fiberglass sound treatment so the ribbon will sound good tracking tomorrow night!
 
As long as you have a figure 8 pattern mic, you should mess around with mid-side stereo recording. A pair of Beyer ribbons (M160/M130) are my go-to set up for drum OH.
 
M/s

I only have sdc's for the cardioid that would go w/ a mid/side set up. I also don't know how to split the 3 pin output of the ribbon into two different channels. I know that one has to be isolated and flipped in phase...

I don't want to get one of those M/S matricies that I've seen in Tape Op.

Well, I want one, just don't want to spend money on one! :o
 
Two channels from a figure eight

Hi,

Use a splitter to get two channels out of your figure eight. Phase invert one of those channels with your preamp or on your deck. If that don't work Naiant sells a phase inverter clever device.

I have a little whirlwind splitter, imp 1x3.

Now, I haven't tried this but I think the phase inversion could be done in post. Copy your figure eight track in your DAW and then phase invert it in software. If this works it would be possible to record Midside stereo into a deck with only two inputs.

Has anyone tried this or does anyone know why this wouldn't work?

Thanks,

Hairy Larry
 
I do it all the time. Downside is that I can't hear the stereo information on the way in, I have to stop and process it to hear it - but it's no big deal. The fact that you have so much adjustability in post is one of the great things about it.

Also (off-topic), (and maybe this is not really accurate) I wonder if it's possible that M/S decoding in the analog path might not be as accurate as doing it in a DAW. In the analog path, one side of the signal travels a different path (through a splitter and through a phase inverter). Could this introduce a time shift between the left and right side? In a DAW, there would be none. Maybe it's totally insignificant?

What I love about M/S is how well other mics interact so well with it. I record live Jazz, so I have all kinds of bleed issues. As such, I personally find that sticking to coincident stereo techniques removes a lot of phase problems. I like M/S way better than X-Y. When I bring up spot mics, they fit into the M/S stereo pair better than any other other technique I've tried. At least that's my experience, YMMV.
 
leddy said:
I record live Jazz, so I have all kinds of bleed issues.
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So do I. (my mediocre jazz band)

M/S for drum OH or live room sound?
 
Obi-Wan zenabI said:
So do I. (my mediocre jazz band)

M/S for drum OH or live room sound?
Click to expand...

Works well for both, but I tend to use it for drums. BTW, I'm also a DB player.
 
find the pun...

Cool.

hardest thing is having a doghouse in my hands and trying to fiddle with my DAW.

I'm joejnyc on TB.
 
Obi-Wan zenabI said:
Ribbons have a figure eight pattern to them, and often sound a little brighter into the front than they do to the back. This gives you neat options for getting a sound-- just turn it 'round, and you have a natural EQ.
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Not all ribbons are figure 8, and those that are; not all are brighter on the front side, my shiny box is brighter on "the back side".
 
Just tracked my Double Bass with the ribbon last night. I was not totally happy with the sound, ribbon about even with the sound hole and a foot away.

I'll post some clips if I casn figure out how, with a comparison between a radio shack electret condensor recorded earler and the nady ribbon.
 
Obi-Wan zenabI said:
Just tracked my Double Bass with the ribbon last night. I was not totally happy with the sound, ribbon about even with the sound hole and a foot away.

I'll post some clips if I casn figure out how, with a comparison between a radio shack electret condensor recorded earler and the nady ribbon.
Click to expand...

I was into ribbons on DB for a while, then I moved away from it. I mainly use an Earthworks omni suspended in the bridge.

Recently I tried the MSH1 in place of the Earthworks. That thing was almost as good. You should try one - they're practically free. Omnis are awesome because you don't have to deal with proximity effect.

Ribbons are great on drums & horns.
 
I keep meaning to buy a ribbon, I just haven't had the money. Of course, I've had the money for another snare drum and some tom mics, but... yeah.
 
Hi Obi,
i'm going to guess that you found it too dark?
Try adding a little treble. Ribbons take eq pretty well.
That will add some articulation to your bass.
Experiment, but try a few db at around 6k.
 
Obi, I'm also a TBer. As you might guess, my handle over there is also SoComSurfing.
 
hairylarry said:
Hi,
Now, I haven't tried this but I think the phase inversion could be done in post. Copy your figure eight track in your DAW and then phase invert it in software. If this works it would be possible to record Midside stereo into a deck with only two inputs.

Has anyone tried this or does anyone know why this wouldn't work?
Click to expand...

I just did that last saturday with accoustic guitar, because I don't have anything but my mics, a motu, and my DAW. I copied and phase inverted the figure 8, and it seemed to work fine.
 
Caotico said:
I just did that last saturday with accoustic guitar, because I don't have anything but my mics, a motu, and my DAW. I copied and phase inverted the figure 8, and it seemed to work fine.
Click to expand...

That's great, since I saw that the Whirlwind is $90 at Sam Ash.

Thanks, Zorf. Yeah, it wasn't articulate.

Also, no, I did not modify. I've only used my soldering iron to try to fix stuff. Haven't gotten into replacing bits yet.
 
Recording Jazz

Hi,

Although I am primarily known as a bluesman I record, play, and write Jazz too. I recorded "Boppin At The Forest" by Joe Lee and Friends several years back. Although I recorded it at Joe's house it was like live recording, the whole band played, no overdubs.

Here's one I wrote that I just shot a video of.

http://www.archive.org/details/never_say_never_video

"Never Say Never" - recorded with 2 MSH-1O mics on my Jecklin Disc.

A high quality mp3 is here.

http://www.archive.org/details/songpods

Enjoy!

Thanks,

Hairy Larry
 
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