Ribbon Mic with only 50 db of Gain?

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Ben Logan

Ben Logan

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Do Ribbon Mics Really Need 60-70 db of Gain?

Hi Folks,

I'm thinking of buying my first cheap Ribbon Mic. Probably one of those Apex 205's. I'm hesitant though, because I've heard Ribbon mics need at least 60 db of gain, preferably 70. My Electro Harmonix 12AY7 Pre-Amp only has 50 db of gain, at best.

Here's my question: will I be able to record drums and electric guitar (loud sources) with a Ribbon and an "underpowered pre?" In other words, is the advice that you must have "at least 60 db of gain" mainly for people who want to record acoustic guitars and vocals (quieter sources) with a Ribbon?

Thanks,
Ben
 
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When recording a loud source form a fairly close distance, you will not necessarily need a lot of gain. Also, does your preamp actually only offer 50 db of gain? Or is it actually 50 db of gain control? It may not actually start at "0". Basically, it seems that ribbons (passive designed ones) require approximately 20 db more than most condensors to acheive the same level.
 
xstatic said:
When recording a loud source form a fairly close distance, you will not necessarily need a lot of gain. Also, does your preamp actually only offer 50 db of gain? Or is it actually 50 db of gain control? It may not actually start at "0". Basically, it seems that ribbons (passive designed ones) require approximately 20 db more than most condensors to acheive the same level.
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This is a very good point. You might have 50dB of electronic gain and yet another 10 to 20 dB from the input transformer if your pre has one.
 
Thanks for the response guys. Here's what Electro Harmonix says about my preamp's power:

"It uses an actual 200-volt supply instead of the "faked out" 12 or 48 volts you’d get with common models, delivering 50 dbs of gain into a high impedance load, and about 40 dbs of gain into 600 ohms."

Enough to record drums and electric guitar with an Apex 205, do you think?
 
It hasn´t a transformer but you can ad one as discussed at TapeOp.
Matti
 
You should be fine with loud stuff. I use an REA 94 through my Ghost preamps and it works for everything. It would be nice to have some cleaner gain on vocals or acoustic but it works.
 
TexRoadkill said:
You should be fine with loud stuff. I use an REA 94 through my Ghost preamps and it works for everything. It would be nice to have some cleaner gain on vocals or acoustic but it works.
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Thanks Tex. How much gain do your Ghost Pres have? Is that a Soundcraft Board you're referring too?
 
Ben Logan said:
Hi Folks,

I'm thinking of buying my first cheap Ribbon Mic. Probably one of those Apex 205's. I'm hesitant though, because I've heard Ribbon mics need at least 60 db of gain, preferably 70. My Electro Harmonix 12AY7 Pre-Amp only has 50 db of gain, at best.
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At only $82 for an Apex 205, it's definately not much of a gamble, and more than a good bet that you'll get good results on loud sources with your EH mic pre.
 
kid klash said:
At only $82 for an Apex 205, it's definately not much of a gamble, and more than a good bet that you'll get good results on loud sources with your EH mic pre.
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As an educator and member of a single income family, even 82 bucks is a stretch for me - no shit! :o
 
Ben Logan said:
As an educator and member of a single income family, even 82 bucks is a stretch for me - no shit! :o
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I hear ya on that one, and I'm still in grad school. I probably shouldn't be buying anything.
 
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