Ribbon or Tube or?

  • Thread starter Thread starter Tonio
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T

Tonio

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Is a ribbon or tube mic better at taming transients for percussive instruments for a natural capture?
Is that totally vague or what?

T
 
Normally a compressor or limiter is used to 'tame transients', not the mic. Maybe I don't understand the question - quality tube and ribbon mics have excellent transient response.
 
What's wrong with transients? In case there are exessive transients like a drummer who likes to hit the bell of his ride cymbal really hard, I prefer a ribbon or a high quality dynamic like the Sennheiser MD441 or Beyer M201.
 
Guess I was vague. I had a whole schmeal written out, and the whole post got lost in cyber space. oh well.

Maybe I'm just lusting for a tube or ribbon mic. It may just be a mixing issue, or maybe looking for some color or a different tonality.

Mics in my closet:
sm81's
57
421mkii
e609
Beyer m201
ev408
d2's
414
c3000

Mic pres;
Grace 101
Soundcraft SX(small mixer)

MOTU 1224, 2408mkii into DAW

You;d think I would have enough variation in the mics I do have. I do try to utilize different mic placement as much as time allows. The room is acoustically treated to a decent response.
Maybe a compressor is the ticket-but I try not to use one on the way in.
when I says transients I mean: cymbals/snare(don't have the whole kit at 1 time), piano, trumpet, congas, bongos.

Is a tube or ribbon mic someting I should be looking at? Or a pre. krs' suggestion of a comp/limiter has crossed my mind. I do have a RNC, but like I said I don't really use a comp on the way in. At least i don't think I need one-maybe I do?

T
 
I don't have any tube mics, but I do have several ribbons. A good ribbon mic is unbeatable for transient handling. And, as you say, maybe you need/want a different color.
 
Hey thanks AGCurry!
I've been eyeballing the Beyer 160. Smooth comes to mind!! RCA, AEA and Royer is above my budget.

T
 
Hey Tonio, like you, I'm just starting out, but I may be able to answer part of your question. I recently bought a pair of Nady ribbon mics and tried them on my drums for the first time. I placed them in front and below the cymbals and what a difference it made. It really did tame down the cymbals. They now sound real nice and I could probably get by w./o. a mic on the snare too. I'll be asking questions in the drum column about placement.
Can't beat these mics for vocals either.
 
Seems like the effect you're looking for can be found in many dynamic mics.

War
 
Warhead said:
Seems like the effect you're looking for can be found in many dynamic mics.

War

I hear you War-dynamics do have a 'compressed' sound. Maybe I should keep
the dough and just try radical placement- or use a comp.

T
 
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