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Gear / Technical Help => Microphones & Setup => Topic started by: jpschust on September 16, 2002, 09:53:05 PM

Title: Ribbon Mics
Post by: jpschust on September 16, 2002, 09:53:05 PM
Is anyone using Ribbon mics to tape these days?  if so what are you running?  Why did you choose these... always been curious.

Jonny
Title: Re:Ribbon Mics
Post by: d swing on September 16, 2002, 11:44:25 PM
Not trying to take anything away from taperssection.com but I remember some discussion of these over on the oade forum recently.  Maybe post there or if you're feeling brave, search the archives.

-D
Title: Re:Ribbon Mics
Post by: jpschust on September 18, 2002, 09:02:13 PM
Found my answer... Search the Oade Forum... basically no one uses these so bah... just a dumb curiosity...

Jonny
Title: Re:Ribbon Mics
Post by: Bri on September 18, 2002, 11:05:07 PM
They are fragile, RCA had intended them for voice, but people have done some interesting things with them!'

Bah :P
Bri
Title: Re:Ribbon Mics
Post by: scervin on September 19, 2002, 08:01:49 AM
I heard an old recording (I think '56) of a jazz band recorded with RCA ribbon's.  I was listening to it on some B&W 803's with McIntosh phono setup, amps and tube pre.  You would not believe how this thing imaged!! It was like the band was sitting up on a riser in the room!!!    :o
Title: Re:Ribbon Mics
Post by: Bri on September 19, 2002, 08:51:14 AM
They are a classic one of a kind sound! Great for Acoustic work. Just dont plug 'em into phantom! ::)

cheers
bri
Title: Re:Ribbon Mics
Post by: jpschust on September 19, 2002, 12:12:09 PM
You guys are giving me new purchasing ideas :-)  If only i werent such a w00k

Jonny
Title: Re:Ribbon Mics
Post by: Craig T on September 19, 2002, 03:45:26 PM
Chris Berryman is running a Royer SF12 (?) stereo ribbon mic.  He lurks over at the Oade Forum from time to time.

Is anyone using Ribbon mics to tape these days?  if so what are you running?  Why did you choose these... always been curious.

Jonny
Title: Re:Ribbon Mics
Post by: jpschust on September 19, 2002, 05:16:07 PM
Will drop him a line- bought his laptop :-)

Jonny
Title: Re:Ribbon Mics
Post by: ben on September 20, 2002, 12:35:47 PM
Ribbon Mics are way way way too sensitive to use for concert taping.  Generally...ENG's wont run them otdoors or even near a fan as even the slightest breeze can damage. them.  I think 5 minutes in a TS would be the end of the tunnel.

They are all figure of eight which isnt necessarilly all that helpful anyway.

Ben
Title: Re: Ribbon Mics
Post by: muj on January 15, 2006, 05:11:03 AM
Moke..how much gain did you use on the v3?
Title: Re: Ribbon Mics
Post by: Brian on January 15, 2006, 11:25:59 AM
Those old royer stereo ribbon microphones are nice! I used one to record an instrumental bluegrass band in the studio.  I've used the newer Royer 121's on a string quartet with fantastic results.  My preamp was a grace 201 and I had that thing cranked!  at least 65db of gain.

Coles makes some fantastic ribbon  microphones as well.
Title: Re: Ribbon Mics
Post by: RebelRebel on January 15, 2006, 11:50:03 AM
I use the AEA R-84 some, when my engineer buddy/mentor lets me.

Great sounding mic .smoooooooth.

As clumsy as I am , id be scared to own one. they arent cheap.

how did it turn out, Moke?

Title: Re: Ribbon Mics
Post by: Brian on January 15, 2006, 11:57:02 AM
I've seen those AEA's in the mags and visted the booth when i went to the AES Con in 2004, but i've never really heard any recordings made with them.  Is the AEA 84 supposed to be a RCA U44 or 77x clone(i can't remember the exact model numbers of the RCA's)?
Title: Re: Ribbon Mics
Post by: RebelRebel on January 15, 2006, 12:23:46 PM
I've seen those AEA's in the mags and visted the booth when i went to the AES Con in 2004, but i've never really heard any recordings made with them.  Is the AEA 84 supposed to be a RCA U44 or 77x clone(i can't remember the exact model numbers of the RCA's)?

RCA 77, Brian. Sounds really great. Really clean and open sounding, nice extended low end.My friend uses them as spot mics on string instruments(hes a location recording guy) and sometimes as the soloist mic for an Oratorio / Choral piece. I really like Wes and the gang. Nice people with great customer service.





Title: Re: Ribbon Mics
Post by: neutrino on January 15, 2006, 12:38:17 PM
I don't think the idea of using a ribbon mic in a taping section would be that outlandish. I've seen both Coles and Beyer ribbons used to mic very loud guitar amplifiers with spectactual results.
dB-
Title: Re: Ribbon Mics
Post by: Brian on January 15, 2006, 12:58:14 PM
I don't think the idea of using a ribbon mic in a taping section would be that outlandish. I've seen both Coles and Beyer ribbons used to mic very loud guitar amplifiers with spectactual results.
dB-

I agree with you.  The newer ribbon microphones can definitely handle the higher SPLs.  I have read a whole bunch of articles about miking guitar amps with ribbon microphones.  A lot of engineers are swearing by it.  I'd love to get my hands on a coles or another royer again to try this out for an album I'll be working on in March.

Maybe i'll play that "sponsor" card 8)