Ribbon Mics

[Monkey Allen]

Are all ribbon mic's really expensive? A search of Australian sites shows me a limited range...all above $1,500. Which is out of my range

I've heard that ribbon mics give warmth that condenser mics don't.

Are there effective, cheaper options for ribbon mics around (not 2nd hand)?

Can anybody suggest any?

thanks

 

[metalhead28]

Nady has a couple of new ribbon mics out that are supposed to be pretty good. Not incredible or anything, but they at least have the "ribbon" characteristics that people are after.

here's one:

http://www.zzounds.com/a--2676837/prodsearch?form=prodsearch&q=nady+ribbon&submit.x=19&submit.y=1

 

[Monkey Allen]

Great, thanks for the suggestion. That's more like my price range. Is it true that a mic like this will give a warmer sound that is not as stark as condenser mics of a similar price?

 

[Herr Joachim]

Beyerdynamic m160, m260, and m500 seem to be recommended quite often.
~250 used on ebay. You could also get them re-ribboned by Stephen Sank and have them sound almost identical to the classic RCA mics (77, 44 etc) that catch ~1500 on ebay when in good condition. I think he charges about 150 for the job. The cheapest solution is to get a broken Beyerdynamic for cheap and have it re-ribboned by Sank. You could perhaps also post a want to buy thread on the board for one.
I have never tried a ribbon, so i can't comment on the sound, but description tends to say smooth, unhyped and work well for sources with a shrill treble register like trumpet, flute etc. Beyer M160 is said to work well on guitar amps.
Do a search in the microphones forum. Quite a bit of info on ribbons there.
Or perhaps ask for some sound clips by users on the board.

 

[XLR]

I have an M160 and like it very much on unamplified gtr. But it requires a very high gain, low noise preamp.

Tim

 

[dgatwood]

Great, thanks for the suggestion. That's more like my price range. Is it true that a mic like this will give a warmer sound that is not as stark as condenser mics of a similar price?

I wouldn't say warm, so much as not harsh. Of course, if you get close enough to it, the presence effect can give appreciable warmth, but that's a separate issue.

Ribbon mics give a very smooth response. I think the word I'd use is silky....

 

[robin watson]

Given the implied low budget, and Tim's mention of the need for a low noise preamp, you might want to audition the Studio Projects VTB-1 pre to go with your Nady. Has good noise floor. Not sure about its gain though.

Just a thought.

 

[scrubs]

Given the implied low budget, and Tim's mention of the need for a low noise preamp, you might want to audition the Studio Projects VTB-1 pre to go with your Nady. Has good noise floor. Not sure about its gain though.

Just a thought.

The VTB-1 has plenty of gain for ribbon mics. It has 60dB of input gain and another 12dB potentially at the output stage. Works great for the Nady ribbon.

 

[Cloneboy Studio]

Ribbon mics are kind of the new "trend." People are jumping on them like they'll do the recording for you. Granted a good ribbon mic (4038, R121, etc...) is great when you want that type of sound on a particular source but they are no means necessary.

If a ribbon sounds "warmer" than condensers it's because they have far less high end.

The nice thing about ribbon mics is that they have their own flavor, which is always cool if you're after character. That and they capture subtle details differently than condensers.

However they are extremely fragile. I swear if you farted in one loudly you'd ruin it. For god's sake don't drop them.

Personally ribbon mics are only needed if you already have an assortment of good dynamic and condesers already and are looking to expand your arsenal. If you're home recording I consider these a luxury few can afford, or even need.

 

[XLR]

I agree to a large extent with Cloneboy Studio's comments but would just add a couple things. My experience with the M160 is that it has a beautifully detailed midrange - its best quality to me. The low end is rich but kind of loose compared to other mic's I use, and the highs are rolled off a bit - less so than some other ribbons, or so I hear. It's also fairly rugged as ribbons go re handling, perhaps because of the very short ribbon it uses, though I think all ribbons are at risk from air being blown at them. I use it occasionally alone as a guitar mic, more often in combination with a condenser. The hypercardioid pattern is really handy for use in problem rooms.

Tim

 

[dgatwood]

Given the implied low budget, and Tim's mention of the need for a low noise preamp, you might want to audition the Studio Projects VTB-1 pre to go with your Nady. Has good noise floor. Not sure about its gain though.

The Nady is a relatively hot ribbon. Its output level is comparable to an SM58 (within about a dB or so). The "lots of clean gain" requirement really applies more to vintage ribbons than to the recent crop. I mean, if you're comparing to a condenser, yeah, the Nady takes a lot of gain, but....

 

[snow lizard]

This thread is essential for anyone wanting to send their mics to Mr. Sank:

http://recforums.prosoundweb.com/index.php/t/7293/0


sl

 

[Monkey Allen]

Thanks a lot people. Maybe I'll stick with my lone CADm177.