DIY Ribbon mic photos

[Twiggybush]

Hi, I'm a newbie of sorts. I used to belong several years ago when this was Prodigy mic builders. Any who,  I've noticed a lack of ribbon passion so I'm here to reignite. I posted some pics at photobucket to give some ideas for those struggling with designing a mic. The chain link pics are from 7 years ago. The 44 clone is recent and is multi pattern.  The motor with 1/4" rails is something I cooked up last week.  I wanted to see if small NE52 neo-mags would have high gain. The gain is great. For less than $6 worth of magnets it's as loud or louder than anything I've compared it to. I use aluminum leaf.  Just for fun can anyone recognize what I used for the 44 shock mount?  I'm always glad to answer questions.  Keith
http://s847.photobucket.com/user/twiggybush/slideshow/DIY%20Ribbon%20microphones

 

[tchgtr]

Nice work! Is the shock-mount a frame from one of the Chinese ribbons like a Nady 210 or such?
I have a 210 that I've been meaning to re-ribbon, so thanks for the inspiration. Ribbons are pretty much the only thing I put on guitar amp speakers these days. Love that tone.

 

[Twiggybush]

Thanks tchgtr.  (Nady 210)  might you mean Apex?  My thoughts on upgrading the Apex 210 would be to replace the motor.  If we're talking about the dogbone frame with 1/8" thick magnets.  I've never experienced much gain with 1/8" magnets. Also the ribbons so thick it impairs high end detail.  A thinner gap and thinner foil will improve gain and frequency response.  The hardest part of making a mic is the body.  The 210 would make a nice platform for a new motor.  The shock mount on my 44 clone is the knurled looking thingy that connects the mic to the stand.

 

[tchgtr]

Oops. Yep the Apex 210.
  I have the 1.8 micron foil (already re-ribboned a Beyerdynamic M500), and a nice Cinemag transformer, I just haven't felt like fooling with that sheet of aluminum in a while. I only use it on guitar cabs, so the volume is not a problem, but I might use it for other things with some thinner foil on the ribbon.
  Your mics look good. You must have access to a shop somewhere. What you've done deserves more attention, but it seems like you have to put "vintage" in your thread title these days to get views here.
  All the best!

 

[Twiggybush]

Wow Bill, If you can re ribbon a M500, you be the man. Nice mic.  A couple days ago I was at the Paquette mic museum trying different mics. I happened to plug in a nady RSM-4 which is 1/8" thick magnets. The output was good but it had hardly any high end. The surprise of the day was a vintage RCA SK46. Super tiny mic. It had real good gain and high end. I tried its predesessor SK44 (paintbrush mic) and it had poor high end. I had commented to Bob that the SK46 sounded much like a Beyer mic. I hear you about gain not being a problem on guitar cabs and drums.  Yes I do have a home shop. I'm also a retired machinist.  I do not have any special tooling. Seems like a drill press and band saw see the most usage.  The motor I showed could probably be accomplished with minimal tools. It's just aluminum.  Thanks for your interest. Keith