Ribbon microphones

[EVT]

Hi everyone,
I was wondering. I don't know the differences between condensor, and ribbon mics.

I was looking at the REA r84 and read that it doesn't use phantom power.
Do ribbon mics "never" use phantom power?

How are ribbon mic's different in terms of sound, specific applications, mic placement, or any other info about ribbon mic's would be much appreciated.

Thanks,
evt

 

[scrubs]

https://homerecording.com/bbs/showthread.php?t=27030

it's all in there...somewhere

 

[robin watson]

Or better still: computer > Internet connection > Search engine ("Ribbon mic")

DIY!

 

[EVT]

thanks scrubs...

Robin Watson... I know I could search, but was actually interested in the opinions from people on this forum. Thanks.
evt

 

[scrubs]

I don't own any ribbons, and Harvey Gerst explains it all pretty well in the "big thread" that I linked you to. You can do a search in that specific thread for mentions of ribbon mics to narrow it down.

Also, ribbon mics do not use phantom power and, from what I've read, phantom power can be damaging to the ribbon, so you don't want it connected to the same mixer/pre to which you have connected a phantom-requiring mic.

 

[XLR]

Hi EVT,

I've got a ribbon mic - Beyer M160. Its sound is very sweet and detailed in the midrange, and I think that's it's best attribute. The lows are rich, broad and kind of relaxed sounding. You read often that ribbons have a lot of high end rolloff, but mine sounds pretty well balanced across the frequency spectrum. The highs are there, but it sounds like the transients get mellowed out a bit. It gets a lot of proximity effect, so I don't close mic with it. The M160's a hypercardiod but most ribbons have a figure 8 pattern. It needs a LOT of gain and a preamp that's quiet at high gain. Typical of ribbons, excluding the Royers.

Ribbon mic's are technically dynamic mics, and except for a particular Royer model, don't use phantom power. The ribbon itself is very delicate, and can be damaged by things like blowing into the mic.

My ribbon blends really nicely with other mics and I use it often as a 3rd mic set directly in between two small diaphram condensers in ORTF stereo config, then mix in just enough of it to add some sweetness.

Tim

 

[AGCurry]

Hi EVT,

The highs are there, but it sounds like the transients get mellowed out a bit.
Tim

Actually, the figure-of-eight ribbon mic is inherently superior in handling transients, because it presents so little mechanical or magnetic resistance. This is also what makes it susceptible to damage from wind.

I own several good ribbon mics, and I generally think of them first in recording situations.