V
visa
New member
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R
Richard Monroe
Well-known member
Ribbon mics are a form of dynamic mic that uses a thin mettalic ribbon to generate the signal, instead of a diaphragm. Many vintage models, popular in radio and recording from the 30's to the present, are highly prized cellectables, and some are way expensive. There are some that are hand held, some smaller ones used for instruments, and some big whopping specimens that are prized by crooners and "pretty" singers, and for broadcast/voiceovers.
They tend to be a bit fragile, and usually aren't the first choice for live performances, except on a sound stage. They produce relatively low output, and therefore benefit from a real good preamp with low noise. Although most (not all) of the newer models are built to survive it, be advised that phantom power can fry many ribbon mics. Blasts of air can also harm them. Don't blow into one.
It's hard to describe what a ribbon mic does to sound, because there are so many models, like diaphragm mics, that have different sounds. The few I have been lucky enough to use made me sound intimate and big, without the rough "in your face" kind of sound. It's great for somebody that just has one of those voices that makes you want to cry. Not an Elton John mic, a Sheena Easton mic.-
Lastly, the only real affordable modern vocal ribbon I've heard is Oktava ML52, and the one I auditioned did not impress me.-Richie
They tend to be a bit fragile, and usually aren't the first choice for live performances, except on a sound stage. They produce relatively low output, and therefore benefit from a real good preamp with low noise. Although most (not all) of the newer models are built to survive it, be advised that phantom power can fry many ribbon mics. Blasts of air can also harm them. Don't blow into one.
It's hard to describe what a ribbon mic does to sound, because there are so many models, like diaphragm mics, that have different sounds. The few I have been lucky enough to use made me sound intimate and big, without the rough "in your face" kind of sound. It's great for somebody that just has one of those voices that makes you want to cry. Not an Elton John mic, a Sheena Easton mic.-
Lastly, the only real affordable modern vocal ribbon I've heard is Oktava ML52, and the one I auditioned did not impress me.-Richie
Fletcher
New member
A ribbon microphone is comprised of a thin metal ribbon , made of aluminium , which is only a few microns thick held in a fairly powerful 'horseshoe magnet structure', in a manner that permits free movement between the "poleshoes". The ribbon is lightly corrugated to facility movement without breakage. This also enlarges the effective length of the ribbon.
As the ribbon moves under influence of soundwaves [variations in air pressure] in the magnetical field , a current is induced in the ribbon. This current is sent through an output transformer which raises the output level of the mic and then to a microphone preamplifier which brings the level to a usable 'line level' signal.
This diagram may help... and this is indeed a very simplistic overview... but should work as some kind of a start.
As the ribbon moves under influence of soundwaves [variations in air pressure] in the magnetical field , a current is induced in the ribbon. This current is sent through an output transformer which raises the output level of the mic and then to a microphone preamplifier which brings the level to a usable 'line level' signal.
This diagram may help... and this is indeed a very simplistic overview... but should work as some kind of a start.
H2oskiphil
It needs more cowbell!
Wow!
If we're not careful, we're going to have to start calling Fletcher "Harvey Jr."...
Stuff like this is the reason I keep coming back to this board.
If we're not careful, we're going to have to start calling Fletcher "Harvey Jr."...
Stuff like this is the reason I keep coming back to this board.