Ribbon mic users...

  • Thread starter Thread starter osz
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osz

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Will a preamp like the Brick (55 db gain) provide enough gain to use a ribbon on vocals?

I've gotten mixed responses on this. Can anyone tell me definitively yes or no? I'm setting up my home studio with limited funds so I need to choose my mics and pre carefully.

If the answer is no, how much gain do I need and what pre would you recommend (within reason)?

Thanks!
 
Depends on which mic you are using. Most of them will require at least clean 70db. Some even more.
 
If you're using it on loud sources like guitar amp and horns, I think 55 db would be enough. If you're trying to do vocals and distant mic'ing of acoustic instruments, I think you'd need 65-70.
 
I have several ribbon mics, which I use with an Aardvark Q10. Generally I have the trim set around 60 db, so I'd say you need more...
 
osz said:
Thanks for the replies.

Would the fact that I would be running it into a Yamaha AW1600 and its built-in preamps make any difference?
Click to expand...

Sometimes two preamp stages work OK with ribbons, sometimes it just gets noisy. You'd have to experiment.
 
I think the Grace 101 would be a good clean pre with enough quiet gain for a ribbon. I believe theres a second, higher gain version.

RD
 
If you're on a budget, the DMP3 is a great little preamp and has enough gain to drive a ribbon.
 
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