11–20 of 70 posts
Is this basically just the inverse of an electrostatic speaker? I've seen DIY builds of those using very thin films coated with some electrosensitive solution - would that work as an alternative for the foil/leaf used here?
* "Relics Reborn: Ribbon Microphones Rally for Vintage-Audio Geeks" https://www.wired.com/2011/01/gallery-ribbon-mics-part-1/ https://web.archive.org/web/20240118172709/https://www.wired...
* "Ribbon Microphones: Audio Icon You Can Build in Your Garage" https://www.wired.com/2011/01/ribbon-mics-part-2/ https://web.archive.org/web/20160326035336/https://www.wired... (the internal link from part 1 to part 2 in the Wired story is currently broken!)
(These were posted in 2011 by user mainland but didn't get any comments.)
All lowercase text is so hard to read.
Ribbon mics: Expensive, and notoriously fragile (to high SPL). Some are so sensitive that you can actually destroy the ribbon by shutting the (mic) case lid too fast.
Kick drums and bass guitar amps might not be a good match for a ribbon, but speech (with a pop filter) is fine.
Modern mics like those from Royer Labs can handle high SPL (cranked 100w guitar amp).
There are a few reasons why professionals still like ribbons for certain tasks: unlike condensers and dynamics, the resonant frequency of the ribbon is typically very low (20Hz), so you don’t get any peaks or artifacts when the source audio vibrates at the resonant frequency of the mic. Also, if you like the sound of your expensive mic preamplifier, the low output ribbon mics let you add gain/dirt/harmonic distortion which to some is pleasing to the ear.
Love that the op built his own, that’s really awesome.
Ribbon mics: Expensive, and notoriously fragile (to high SPL). Some are so sensitive that you can actually destroy the ribbon by shutting the (mic) case lid too fast.
As you’ve pointed out High SPL isn’t what breaks ribbons, it’s high SPL at low frequencies (ie wind/air moving frequencies, like those produced from a slamming wooden case lid. Kick drums and bass guitar amps might not be a good match for a ribbon, but speech (with a pop filter) is fine. Modern mics like those from Royer Labs can handle high SPL (cranked 100w guitar amp). There are a few reasons why professionals sti…
With that said, every ribbon mic I've owned, I've felt like I've had to handle with kid gloves, just in case.
Of course, as soon as i tried to record my guitarist with it, he cranked his amp and broke it again. Guitarists, man...
I built a ribbon mic from a kit a while ago, and only broke the ribbon once putting it together! https://www.bumblebeepro.com/ Of course, as soon as i tried to record my guitarist with it, he cranked his amp and broke it again. Guitarists, man...
Ribbon mics: Expensive, and notoriously fragile (to high SPL). Some are so sensitive that you can actually destroy the ribbon by shutting the (mic) case lid too fast.
Ribbon mics: Expensive, and notoriously fragile (to high SPL). Some are so sensitive that you can actually destroy the ribbon by shutting the (mic) case lid too fast.
As you’ve pointed out High SPL isn’t what breaks ribbons, it’s high SPL at low frequencies (ie wind/air moving frequencies, like those produced from a slamming wooden case lid. Kick drums and bass guitar amps might not be a good match for a ribbon, but speech (with a pop filter) is fine. Modern mics like those from Royer Labs can handle high SPL (cranked 100w guitar amp). There are a few reasons why professionals sti…