DIY Ribbon mics comparisons

[analogica]

Hi guys,

Im thinking to start one of those DIY ribbons out there, but I don't know so much about how the sound. Theres a bunch of good modded ones and DIY, but are they similar to the big guys? coles, royers, rcas, etc....

Ive heard a comparison between a 121 and DIYAC rm5 ribbon, they were both good but completely different, and people say that the apex 205 modded its really nice...

Is there more comparisons between brands and DIY ones???

cheers

 

[Pip]

Start building my friend. They all sound different. My suggestion is that you pay strong attention to the transformer you use.


http://recordinghacks.com/microphones
http://www.samaraudiodesign.com/RibbonMicrophoneTransformers.html
http://cinemag.biz/mic_output/mic_output.php
http://www.lundahl.se/sidor/microphone.html

 

[ln76d]

Don't forget about great and well priced transformers from Stewart
http://www.xaudia.com/xaudia/Home.html

 

[analogica]

  Thanks for the info, Im reading here and there and seems like the apex is good thing when modded right, the basic moods look easy,

  but people say that the ribbon is a bit thick and not so nice, is there a way of buying a different motor or ribbon???

  Am I crazy trying to do it myself???

  thanks

 

[HellfireStudios]

  Am I crazy trying to do it myself???

  thanks

You probably are, but so are the rest of us...

Here's one site:

http://www.lkmusic.co.nz/ribbonfix.htm

-James-

 

[bieckmusic]

I built an rickshaw records ribbon from scratch.  It was easy and sounds amazing!!  The only really hard part was cutting the ribbon and mounting it!!!!  Used a piece of bar rail and acrylic and a cinemag transformer.  Ribbon tension is important.

Great on electric guitars!!

 

[tonycamp]

  Thanks for the info, Im reading here and there and seems like the apex is good thing when modded right, the basic moods look easy,

  but people say that the ribbon is a bit thick and not so nice, is there a way of buying a different motor or ribbon???

  Am I crazy trying to do it myself???

  thanks

i built a pair of alctron rm8's(apex 205's), i put 1.8 ribbon in them and some RT32 samar tranny's in them, they sound as good as can be. The ribbon is the hardest part, but at $13 a sheet, have at it and practice! You would have to burn through 10 sheets minimum before you'd exceed the cost of a re ribboning. Go forth and mod young man ;D

 

[dandeurloo]

Samar's ribbons and transformers are amazing. 

I sent him 4 crappy mics and he turned them into fantastic mics.  I have used and compared them to very nice vintage RCA's and 121's.  They aren't the same but they are the same quality.  I highly recommend his stuff.  We are lucky to have him part of this community!

 

[kidvybes]

  Thanks for the info, Im reading here and there and seems like the apex is good thing when modded right, the basic moods look easy,

  but people say that the ribbon is a bit thick and not so nice, is there a way of buying a different motor or ribbon???

  Am I crazy trying to do it myself???

  thanks

...if you're shy to try the re-ribboning, there's some helpful options here:
http://www.diyaudiocomponents.com/products.php

 

[analogica]

wow wow!, so you are encouraging me to do it myself then....that's why we all are here so I think ill go for it, last session ive been

using a Coles, a bit dark on certain sources, but really nice on the mix...lets see if I achieve something in ballpark, cheers guys,

I have work to do...