my ribbon problem

[kidvybes]

FWIW, both of the ribbons I purchased through the group buy didn't have foam filter material inside. Just a light metal mesh/screen over the ribbon capsules.
The double ribbon unit is quite sensitive with a higher output than I expected. The proximity effect is very pronounced. Might take a little getting used to.

...ribbon mics are VERY sensitive to wind (blowing) damage...I also own the double-ribbon version (without the foam) and it would seem a pop filter would be imperative on vocals as well as any close miking of guitar cabs (as mentioned above)...I've recorded vocals using a metal type pop-screen and it definately tamed the proximity issue...very nice tone IMHO...

 

[dgatwood]

Most of those mics have a fine wire mesh covering the element, get a pen light/flashlight and look real close to see if one of those little metalic hairs from the mesh has fallen inside. You might even have to pull one of the covers off. They're just held on with a rubber glue. It should peal right off. Just be careful. Make sure everything inside is nice and secure. I've found loose screws before which can cause a bit of a rattle.

Loose screws, loose logos, loose... just about anything. My first Nady (sent it back) had a loose washer... bouncing around inside the capsule area. Yeah. Look for stuff like that.

 

[scrubs]

Alright, I think I might have figured it out. How slack/taught is the ribbon supposed to be? The one in my HRM-10 is very lax (see picture -- sorry for the blurriness). Should I attempt to take out some of the slack (and how exactly would I do that)? It is just flopping back and forth, which may account for the buzzing. Any thoughts?

 

[ljmaxx]

It's hard to tell from the pic as it is blurrie but it appears like the red dots are screws. If that is true it looks as if they were loosened a bit you could increase the tension on the ribbon then re tighten the screws. Did you open your other ribbon to see if the ribbon inside looked the same tension wise?

 

[scrubs]

No, I haven't looked at the other one, yet. Here's a slightly better pic. The ribbon could easily be vibrating against the mesh cover with this much slack.

 

[chance]

If you can E-mail me some of those pictures, I will forward them to tech support

 

[scrubs]

It's hard to tell from the pic as it is blurrie but it appears like the red dots are screws. If that is true it looks as if they were loosened a bit you could increase the tension on the ribbon then re tighten the screws. Did you open your other ribbon to see if the ribbon inside looked the same tension wise?

Yep, that was it. I pulled more of the ribbon through, so it is a little tighter (but still corrugated), and that took away the buzz. Yee-haw! Thanks to everyone for helping out.

 

[punkin]

Do tell the details. You seem to be ok with the end result. A little tweekin' and you're back up.

How'd you do it? Just release the negative tension and let -er- rip? I'm thinking pulling on it to get tension wouldn't be the way to go. Probably just let it relax but sit smack in the middle.

How about a sound sample?

 

[chance]

I would think this surgery requires steady hands, yes? Good going. If you still have those pics, can you E-mail them to me? I want to let them know back in China.

 

[scrubs]

Do tell the details. You seem to be ok with the end result. A little tweekin' and you're back up.

How'd you do it? Just release the negative tension and let -er- rip? I'm thinking pulling on it to get tension wouldn't be the way to go. Probably just let it relax but sit smack in the middle.

How about a sound sample?

Well, I loosened the two nuts at the bottom of the ribbon, took some tweezers and (very) gently pulled the ribbon to take out some of the slack. I made sure it was still centered between the magnets and tightened it back down. Not too difficult, but a steady hand does help. The ribbon is extremely thin, so I could have easily been sending this thing off for a re-ribbon had I slipped. I was also very cautious about which direction I was breathing during the entire episode.

All in all, I'm relieved and satisfied. Sounds pretty good to these ears. Thanks again, all.

Chance, I e-mailed you the pics.

 

[SRR]

Did you take post repair pictures?

 

[chance]

I know that for the price we paid for these things, we might have a couple slip thru like this, like the one I got at the NAMM show needed a new capsule. For me, this repair gave me a good feeling knowing that I fixed it and learned something too. I know that distortion must have disappointed you, but how did it feel when YOU repaired it?

 

[mshilarious]

Yeah, good on the repair, ribbons should definitely NOT sag like that. My secret weapon tool for moving ribbons is the flat plastic toothpick that came with my swiss army knife. A dab of isopropyl alcohol on the tip causes the pick to gently adhere to the ribbon.

 

[scrubs]

how did it feel when YOU repaired it?

Well, seriously, I had read how simple the design of a ribbon mic is, but I was surprised at just how simple. I mean, it's a couple of magnets and a thin strip of foil...and some people pay thousands of dollars for them.

 

[chance]

I just posted in another topic on this forum, where you can view the specs on these mics

 

[mshilarious]

Well, seriously, I had read how simple the design of a ribbon mic is, but I was surprised at just how simple. I mean, it's a couple of magnets and a thin strip of foil...and some people pay thousands of dollars for them.

And a transformer