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Vikki
New member
Looking to purchase a ribbon mic to record solo acoustic guitar and perhaps double on Female vocals, what would you go for?
Seasons Greetings
Vikki(uk)
Seasons Greetings
Vikki(uk)
pohaku
New member
What is your budget? There are a lot more choice in ribbons these days, but the price range is also pretty wide. I'm fond of Beyer ribbon mics which should be pretty available in the UK. The older M-260 (not the currently sold model with the built in roll-off that used to be denoted as the M-260.80)would be a good compromise for an instrumental and vocal mic. Used prices for these in the States run about $250 or so. What kind of preamp are you using? Ribbons need a bit more gain.
Sonixx
New member
why a ribbon?
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Vikki
New member
o.k.
The reason i was thinking ribbon was to try and make a smoother, sweeter recording. I've been working today with my AKG C451b in conjunction with my JLM preamps and its proving to be too bright for recording my steel string Lakewood guitar, the mic produces quite a nice recording on a nylon stung guitar. Maybe the Beyer small condensors MC930? would be a sweeter combination with this particular guitar which is quite a bright instrument?
Vikki(uk)
The reason i was thinking ribbon was to try and make a smoother, sweeter recording. I've been working today with my AKG C451b in conjunction with my JLM preamps and its proving to be too bright for recording my steel string Lakewood guitar, the mic produces quite a nice recording on a nylon stung guitar. Maybe the Beyer small condensors MC930? would be a sweeter combination with this particular guitar which is quite a bright instrument?
Vikki(uk)
Sonixx
New member
A ribbon can sound very nice. I use them a lot and have several including Trion7000, Fat Head, R92 and R84. I wouldn't hesitate to use any of them on a Female singer. Lately, I have not had many Female artists in my studio though.
Presently, I'm recording two male acoustic gtr/singer artists and I'm using ribbons on the gtr in a Blumlein config.
Ribbons do require a bit more gain and generally like a higher input impedance so without quality preamps noise may show its ugly head, but they can sound absolutely fabulous and take EQ very well.
what's your budget?
Presently, I'm recording two male acoustic gtr/singer artists and I'm using ribbons on the gtr in a Blumlein config.
Ribbons do require a bit more gain and generally like a higher input impedance so without quality preamps noise may show its ugly head, but they can sound absolutely fabulous and take EQ very well.
what's your budget?
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Vikki
New member
I was thinking perhaps a 1000 US(around 500UK) but could push it a bit higher.
Vikki(uk)
Vikki(uk)
Sonixx
New member
I don't have experience with a Beyer M 160 but maybe look into it.
In your price range you definitely can get quality. I'd recommend you look into these:
M 160
R84
R92
Fat Head with a Lundahl Transformer
Two Ribbons in a Blumlein config sounds very nice on acoustic gtr.
I buy mics in pairs.
In your price range you definitely can get quality. I'd recommend you look into these:
M 160
R84
R92
Fat Head with a Lundahl Transformer
Two Ribbons in a Blumlein config sounds very nice on acoustic gtr.
I buy mics in pairs.
pohaku
New member
I have a couple M160s and I'd certainly recommend them for instruments. Not so much for vocals though. That's why I suggested an M260 which works better on vocals. For $1000 US, you do have some options, however, including picking up both an M160 and a vocal mic. If I was looking for ribbons with your budget, I'd probably get an M160 and an M500. The M160 is a double ribbon. The M500 (now discontinued) was designed as a performing vocal mic and is a single ribbon. It has a bit of a presence peak so it's a bit brighter than the garden variety ribbon, but not near as bright as many other newer vocal mics. A very, very nice mic on many voices IMHO. Used M500s seem fairly plentiful (I have 4 or 5 of them - haven't counted lately) and should be pretty available in the UK. A used M500 typically goes for @$300 or so (although I've picked them up for less than $200 from time to time). What kind of voice do you have? Soprano, alto?
There are, of course, lots of decent vocal mics out there that would fit within your budget, especially if you can buy used. Frankly, the vocal mic that gets used the most out of my collection is the Shure SM7. Ugly and relatively cheap, but as a dynamic mic, it sounds great on most voices and is very forgiving of mediocre rooms. I'm now up to owning three of them because they get used so much. Worth considering. A new one can be had in the States for @$330 or so.
I have an AEA R84 as well, and while it can be quite good on certain instruments and voices, I'm not sure that it is what you want. It is not designed for close micing. It's best 12-18" (or more) from the sound source. I use it on cabs, horns and background vocals where it is great. It wouldn't be my first choice for acoustic guitar or "lead" vocals.
I think the Beyer MC930 would be a very nice SD mic for instruments (I'm contemplating getting a pair myself) precisely because they seem to be flatter than many of the newer SDs that are a bit hyped. I understand that they approach the sound of the Neumann KM84i (not the KM184 which is fairly bright IMHO) in that regard. While I haven't heard the Beyers, I do have a Neumann KM84i and I'd certainly take a pair of those if the price wasn't so prohibitive. You could certainly put together a very nice rig with the Beyer MC930 for your guitar and a Shure SM7 (or other vocal mic) for vocals withing your budget.
There are, of course, lots of decent vocal mics out there that would fit within your budget, especially if you can buy used. Frankly, the vocal mic that gets used the most out of my collection is the Shure SM7. Ugly and relatively cheap, but as a dynamic mic, it sounds great on most voices and is very forgiving of mediocre rooms. I'm now up to owning three of them because they get used so much. Worth considering. A new one can be had in the States for @$330 or so.
I have an AEA R84 as well, and while it can be quite good on certain instruments and voices, I'm not sure that it is what you want. It is not designed for close micing. It's best 12-18" (or more) from the sound source. I use it on cabs, horns and background vocals where it is great. It wouldn't be my first choice for acoustic guitar or "lead" vocals.
I think the Beyer MC930 would be a very nice SD mic for instruments (I'm contemplating getting a pair myself) precisely because they seem to be flatter than many of the newer SDs that are a bit hyped. I understand that they approach the sound of the Neumann KM84i (not the KM184 which is fairly bright IMHO) in that regard. While I haven't heard the Beyers, I do have a Neumann KM84i and I'd certainly take a pair of those if the price wasn't so prohibitive. You could certainly put together a very nice rig with the Beyer MC930 for your guitar and a Shure SM7 (or other vocal mic) for vocals withing your budget.
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Sonixx
New member
pohaku
New member
Here's a pretty good deal on a pair of MC930s in Europe from the Tapers Section. You may need to register with the Board to see the ad if you aren't already a member (and you should be if you aren't already 
)
http://taperssection.com/index.php/topic,114616.0.html
At that price, you could still get a decent vocal mic and have a stereo pair of Beyers for the guitar.
)http://taperssection.com/index.php/topic,114616.0.html
At that price, you could still get a decent vocal mic and have a stereo pair of Beyers for the guitar.
leddy
Well-known member
I own the MC930's and the M160. The MC930's have a rising top end. It's not harsh at all, but it is on the brighter side. Great mics that give you a huge detailed sound. The M160 is smooth and sweet. Totally different sound, but I think the sound you describe that you are looking for would call for something more like the M160.
It might work with vocals. If her voice has any shrill-ness or nasal quality to de-emphasize, it might be great.
It might work with vocals. If her voice has any shrill-ness or nasal quality to de-emphasize, it might be great.
ElectricBlu
New member
Woodpecker?
Blues Woodpecker got REALLY good reviews, I think they cost like $1000 USD
I don't really have any experience with Ribbons, been wanting one though
-Julien
The ElectricBluStudio
www.electricblustudio.com
Blues Woodpecker got REALLY good reviews, I think they cost like $1000 USD
I don't really have any experience with Ribbons, been wanting one though
-Julien
The ElectricBluStudio
www.electricblustudio.com
mixmkr
we don't need rest!!
I've got an old M160, and unless you're recording higher volume items like snares and gtr cabs (yes, you can put it on those items...carefully), don't think about using a cheap preamp. If you're using a "consumer" mixer or even these preamps in these multi/input interfaces like even a Layla 3G, etc, expect for noise to be a problem, especially if you have silent spots or recording something like a piano with lots of dynamics. You'll be crankin' that pre for this mic, but it's a goodie. 
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AndrewClaycomb
New member
If you're looking on the cheap, look into Cascade, Apex, and Nady. (Possibly in that order) They all have similar looking models, that sound very similar.
...similar, similar... similar
...similar, similar... similar
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gehauser
New member
if you buy a Rode K2 for $699 at bayviewproaudio.com, they throw in a Cascade Fathead ribbon.
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Vikki
New member
Thanks for your thoughts and insight....
I think its a choice between the Blue Woodpecker or the Beyer M180, the Cascade mics don't seem to have a dealer in the u.k. I've been using a Beyer MT88 on my vocals and it does a pretty good job, prices of Beyer mics seem to have shot up since i was last looking about 12 months ago.
Seasons Greetings
Vikki(uk)
I think its a choice between the Blue Woodpecker or the Beyer M180, the Cascade mics don't seem to have a dealer in the u.k. I've been using a Beyer MT88 on my vocals and it does a pretty good job, prices of Beyer mics seem to have shot up since i was last looking about 12 months ago.
Seasons Greetings
Vikki(uk)
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