Ribbon Mics

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Michael Jones

Michael Jones

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Has anyone ever used Royer Ribbon mics?
I read a review on the R-121, and it was surprisingly favorable. The one thing that has me wondering though, is the specs. The R-121, and its stereo counterpart the SF-12 both show a frequency response of 30Hz to 15KHz. I usually look for frequency responses of 20Hz to 20KHz when shopping for a mic.

I plan on using the mic to record a Grand Piano.
Any opinions?
 
The "lack" of hi freqs on ribbons is a good thing, IMO...

Smooths out cymbals, harsh vox, edgy guitar amps, and, yes, pianos...

Is your piano the only instrument in the mix? Then a couple condensers might be the ticket. But if it's a medium to dense mix, a single ribbon (I use a BK11) really gets the job done. Pull up the fader and, viola!, perfectly EQ'ed essence of piano, usually just perfect. That's the beauty of ribbons...(thanks, Daniel Lanios).
 
I have used my Royer with beautiful results on guitar (electric and acoustic), drums and piano. I would highly recommend buying this mic. When you first use it though, you wont be used to not hearing the high hypeiness of a condensor. Soon it will grow on you as it has a very natural sound (WYHIWYG), and that's usually what I shoot for when I'm recording. Good luck!
 
Whats Royer's website???

I REALLY want to buy a ribbon mic..... I'm a brass player for the most part..... I don't play any electric instruments so I wanna mic thats really good for acoustic, really smooth, and I'm thinkin ribbon will be the ticket

and other good ribbons????

Unfortunatley I'll be buying a cheaper ribbon, cause I don't have lotsa $$$$ so keep it to the cheaper ribbons(500-1000)

Sabith
 
The Beyer ribbons are great brass mics, and are good for stage work as well as recording, so you can get double duty out of them, which is more than you can say about most ribbons...
Full Compass had a sale on the M500 a couple years ago for 180.00 or so with a nice cherry box, but that day is long gone. You can find an M500 for 200-250.00 used, but make sure the ribbon's OK. The M160 and M260 are also nice Beyer ribbons...
These things can be pawnshop specials--they look similar to an SM58, and I've picked them up for under a hundred bucks for this reason...
 
I don't know much about ribbons......... how do I check that the ribbon is OK?????
 
Where can I find prices for ribbon mics???? I've checked a bunch of net sites....... but can't find Beyer or Royer on any of em =(

Canadian sites would be better, but I'll take whatever U give me.

Thanks,

Sabith
 
Sabith said:
I don't know much about ribbons......... how do I check that the ribbon is OK?????
Click to expand...

Plug it in (preferably w/o phantom power--check the archieves for a discussion on this), and hum, starting with a low note, and progressing to a high note. If you hear a sympathetic vibration with any note you hit, the ribbon's probably shot. Use headphones when you do this--it's easier to hear any problems with the ribbon.

Keep in mind the output of a typical ribbon is much lower that most other dynamics or condensers--that's normal. It should have some top end to it, and not sound cloudy...

I like buying blown ribbons--the more screwed up the better (and cheaper!), and then send them in to get re-ribboned. This is like buying a new ribbon mic for half the price...
 
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