A ribbon mic is actually a type of dynamic microphone. The big advantage is that active ribbon mics are more consistent with a range of preamps with different input impedances and typically have stronger output levels than passive ribbons. While most engineers wisely steer away from letting phantom power come anywhere near their ribbon mics, some newer mics, such as the active Royer R-122 MKII, AEA R84A, or Cloud Microphones 44-A, utilize phantom to power their electronics. Most ribbon microphones are passive devices — meaning that they have no onboard active electronics or preamplification. They are prized for their ability to capture high-frequency detail, comparing very favorably with condenser microphones, which can often sound subjectively "aggressive" or "brittle" in the high end of the frequency spectrum. On the classic Coles 4038, the ribbon thickness is 0.6 microns; on AEAs it is 1.8 microns; and Royers are either 2.5 or 4 microns thick. When it comes right down to it — no matter the venue or the application — if you want a ribbon mic, there’s probably one out there that can do the trick, and Sweetwater is always happy to help you find the right ribbon mic for the job. [12] The following year, the 44A came on the scene. The new generation of ribbon mics is robust enough that they can be used on any source — and they sound incredible on electric guitar, smoothing out the cutting midrange of overdriven amps while still imparting a low-mid punch that yields powerful tone. Happy customers, one piece of gear at a time! Condenser microphones at the time could not compare to its frequency response. From the tweakiest techniques to the biggest ideas, our experts work hard to constantly supply inSync with a steady stream of helpful, in-depth demos, reviews, how-tos, news, and interviews. Today, countless engineers, producers, and artists rely on ribbon mics for their electric guitar sound — in the studio and onstage. What is it used for? If the impedance is too low, frequency response will change, particularly on the bottom end, and the ribbon may become damped, resulting in lowered high-frequency output. When used according to Royer’s recommendations, an R-121 works well for miking the bass drum when placed at a 45-degree angle to the drumhead surface. Being music makers ourselves, we love geeking out on all things gear. In addition to the standard bidirectional pick-up pattern[3], ribbon microphones can also be configured to have cardioid[4], hypercardioid[5], omnidirectional[6], and variable pattern[7][8][9]. For many engineers, ribbons have been the traditional go-to mics for trumpet and trombone. On the other hand, each mic can just as easily sound terrible if used incorrectly. What is a Ribbon Microphone? In fact, it could be seen as a low-frequency EQ option. You can always move away from the mic, too, which will minimize the proximity effect’s low-frequency boost. Many RCA ribbon models are still in use and valued by audio engineers. Again, that’s not true of all ribbon mics, but it’s generally the case; and if you know to expect it, then you can compensate for it. The figure-8 pattern that ribbon mics natively exhibit lends itself to the Blumlein stereo capture technique. Cons. But, by far, the coolest thing about ribbon mics is their unique non-linearity, which ribbon mic manufacturers (and evangelists) such as Royer and AEA describe this way: “Ribbon mics hear like your ears.” Although this isn’t entirely true, the sonic output of a ribbon mic is remarkably honest and accurate. While passive ribbon microphones deliver fantastic sound quality when paired with the right preamp, active ribbon mics make it easier to accomplish that sound. For example, the ribbon thickness of the Coles 4038 microphone is 0.6 microns. You could reach for an equalizer to tailor the sound, or you could plug the mic into a preamp with variable input impedance and lower the impedance setting. Here’s an example. The 44 sounded so sweet on brass - and just about... NEWS: Royer Labs has been given a GRAMMY award for their outstanding ribbon mics! 5501 U.S. Hwy 30 W, Fort Wayne, IN 46818 That trait allows them to pick up the nuances of close sources while remaining isolated from room noise and off-axis sound that would bleed into most condenser microphones. The ribbon acts as both the diaphragm and the transducer element itself, providing the same kind of sensitivity and transient response you’d expect from a condenser but with a wholly different character. This setup employs two identical figure-8 microphones positioned so that their elements cross at right angles and are as close to one another as possible. In the words of the Academy, these mics "were revolutionary and moved the art of recording... Get dual-purpose performance from Shure's KSM313 ribbon microphone! The applications for this figure-8 directionality are endless. Ribbon mics weren’t always the obscure, forgotten stepchildren of dynamic microphones that they are today. [16], In 2007, microphones employing ribbon elements made of strong nanomaterials became available, offering orders of magnitude improvement in signal purity and output level.[17]. , Its tone and pattern control helped reduce reverberation. If you are new to ribbons, you are in for a treat! This website uses cookies to improve your experience. Condenser mics and dynamics are going to add a color to your sound you may not like; whereas a quality ribbon mic will let you record the exact tone you’ve crafted. You need to invest extra cash to get the shock mount Nady RSM-4. So, you can use a ribbon microphone in your home studio for the same type of recording you would use a different kind of microphone. Compact design High SPL capabilities Smooth, rich sound. When recording a project with only a few instruments and tracks, the figure-of-8 polar pattern and proximity effect of a ribbon … What is a Ribbon Microphone? Ribbon mics have a reputation for being delicate and fragile. The typical resonant frequency of those microphones is within the range of human hearing. Exclusive deals, delivered straight to your inbox. The directionality of ribbon mics is another fascinating and useful aspect of their design. A ribbon microphone, also known as a ribbon velocity microphone, is a type of microphone that uses a thin aluminum, duraluminum or nanofilm of electrically conductive ribbon placed between the poles of a magnet to produce a voltage by electromagnetic induction. Since ribbon microphones have great off-axis response, positioning the mic slightly off-axis to high SPL sound sources won’t alter the sound, but it will reduce the overall load on the ribbon element. One of the greatest attributes of ribbon microphones is that they’re highly detailed without being oversensitive. When you need a high-quality ribbon microphone at an affordable price, then the Nady RSM-4 is an ideal choice. A ribbon microphone, also known as a ribbon velocity microphone, is a type of microphone that uses a thin aluminum, duraluminum or nanofilm of electrically conductive ribbon placed between the poles of a magnet to produce a voltage by electromagnetic induction.
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