50s (?) Meazzi Ribbon mic hum/noise problem

[fripholm]

Hi, I've just shot a nice vintage ribbon mic on ebay for dirt cheap. Although I had to attach a new XLR plug to the supplied cable (which had a Tuchel connector) it's working and is in a good condition for its age. Just the plastic part of a switch on the back and the front badge is missing.  See photos.

The mic has two transformers and I think the slider on the back switches between those two for a different frequency response. As it's a ribbon, it needs a lot of gain and that also raises the slight hum coming from the mic. It also picks up some RF noise - there's an electric tramway not far from the studio and I can hear the motors howling through the mic every time a tram passes.

I have a few different ribbon mics and although all of them need a lot of gain, none of them have hum or RF problems. What should be the first thing to look into for troubleshooting?

 

[PRR]

I think you will find that the smaller "transformer" only has two wires, is a choke, to short-out bass, so close-up vocal is not too boomy. I'd disconnect it; you surely have better EQ tools.

Radio and electrostatic trouble is usually bad contacts in the metal case and screen. At that age, tarnish can be troublesome.

 

[Ritchie Paris]

Hi did you solve your hum problem ?

 

[rock soderstrom]

I can't contribute anything meaningful except that the mic is really beautiful.

 

[Ritchie Paris]

HI and thanks for your prompt reply, do you have one ?

 

[rock soderstrom]

No, sorry. I wish I had one.

 

[Ritchie Paris]

Ah ok thanks...hope for you.