Tell me about ribbon mics

[lppier]

It really looks different - interesting, I hadn't looked at it from this angle before. What kinds of sources, or to be more specific, voices would it tend to flatter more?

Originally Posted by Al Acuff

Although I own a KU5A when I want maximum vocal isolation and minimal room sound I reach for a Beyerdynamic M88 or M201. They are excellent mics for home recording as well as for live gigs.

FWIW the KU5A is not a typical ribbon microphone. It does not have an even frequency response or a smooth off axis response because of design compromises required to make it directional. You can go on the AEA website and compare the frequency response curve with an N22 which has an even frequency response and smooth off axis response. In an untreated room a figure 8 mic is going to pick up a lot of room ambience so it would probably not suit the OP. The KU5A will pick up less ambience but it imparts a character that will flatter some sources more than others.

There is no getting around the need for room treatment. I wasted a lot of time and money trying different microphones before I learned this.

[lppier]

That's a thought Doug - perhaps I should turn the gain of the condensor way down, and try to close mic to give it a fair shot.

Originally Posted by Doug Young

By the way, I don't quite get the idea that often comes up, that a less sensitive mic will pick up less room sound. Any mic that is sensitive enough to pick up the nuances of your guitar - in other words, one that makes your guitar sound good, is going to pick the room as well. What works to some extent in a bad room (all depends on how bad...) is a mic that allows you to close mic.

[lppier]

Originally Posted by lppier

That's a thought Doug - perhaps I should turn the gain of the condensor way down, and try to close mic to give it a fair shot.

Just tried it .. I do find the condenser more picking up more noise still. Maybe it’s more of a case of the Shure sm7b being a better match for my voice than the at4040.

[Doug Young]

Originally Posted by lppier

Just tried it .. I do find the condenser more picking up more noise still. Maybe it’s more of a case of the Shure sm7b being a better match for my voice than the at4040.

Are we talking about "noise", like from traffic or something? Or just the effect of the room acoustics? Maybe post an example?

[lppier]

Originally Posted by Doug Young

Are we talking about "noise", like from traffic or something? Or just the effect of the room acoustics? Maybe post an example?

It's both really :
- traffic noise
- slightly metallic sound in the highs which i hear as comb filtering

My other theory is that the sm7b captures less high end by its nature.

[Al Acuff]

When you say "metallic sound" methinks you are describing flutter echoes.

[min7b5]

Turns out I did take a few pics at NAMM last week of the new AEA ribbon I mentioned earlier in this thread. They described it to me as in-between the N8 and N22. I'm very tempted

[DupleMeter]

Originally Posted by lppier

I’m working in a largely untreated room and so far what has been working relatively well for me is a Shure sm7b. With a condenser i borrowed I hear slight metallic sounds which i assume is comb filtering.

Will something like an AEA KU5A or beyerdynamic m160 that is hypercardoid and possibly less sensitive than a condenser, can I think of it as an upgrade to the sm7b?

I wouldn't call it an upgrade...more of a sidegrade. Same quality, just different sound. It's hard to find a mic with better rejection than an SM7b (or RE20).

[lppier]

Originally Posted by DupleMeter

I wouldn't call it an upgrade...more of a sidegrade. Same quality, just different sound. It's hard to find a mic with better rejection than an SM7b (or RE20).

Ok, will think of it as such. One question - why are ribbon and condenser mics generally more expensive than dynamic mics?

[KevWind]

Originally Posted by lppier

Ok, will think of it as such. One question - why are ribbon and condenser mics generally more expensive than dynamic mics?

Because generally speaking (except for vintage mic prices which reflect a sharp demand vs limited supply factor ) mic prices reflect the cost of materials and labor to manufacture them

[DupleMeter]

Originally Posted by lppier

Ok, will think of it as such. One question - why are ribbon and condenser mics generally more expensive than dynamic mics?

They cost more to produce.

[lppier]

https://youtu.be/OxhXN5sHTjA?si=phjeq_L7yHljI3eG this comparison further confirms its more of a side grade .. actually on some of the voices I preferred the dynamic

[gwlee7]

Some good ribbons that I have:

sE Electronics VR 1 (I have two of these and are a great bang for the buck)
Shure KSM 313
Beyer Dynamics M160

You could record a whole album with the KSM 313. It is voiced a little brighter on one side than the other and that makes it extremely versatile.

[DupleMeter]

Originally Posted by lppier

https://youtu.be/OxhXN5sHTjA?si=phjeq_L7yHljI3eG this comparison further confirms its more of a side grade .. actually on some of the voices I preferred the dynamic

The MD441 is a superb mic, by any standards.

[DupleMeter]

Originally Posted by gwlee7

You could record a whole album with the KSM 313. It is voiced a little brighter on one side than the other and that makes it extremely versatile.

That should be true of all natural ribbon mics (figure of 8 patterned). One side will be darker than the other.

The Beyerdynamic is actually a dual ribbon element. That’s how they get the directional pattern & not a figure of 8.