Would it be a good idea to make a very high output passive ribbon mic using an Apex 205 with a high ratio transformer like the 1:54 FAB XL or 1:55 Samar RT55 (or maybe an even higher ratio?) and thin ribbon foil? I have some 1.8 micron ribbon already, but I'm not sure if it will cooperate with one of these transformers.
I would also like to open up and extend the high end some, which I’ve read that better transformers (Lundahls or Cinemags) in more typical ratios like 1:37 can help with. I don't really want to lose any of the thickness on the low end that I like on my voice either.
I enjoy using ribbons on my soft, quiet vocals and finger-picked acoustic guitar. They sound very thick and natural. I have a True Systems P-Solo Ribbon pre already, I just still get some preamp noise recording these two soft sources, especially at a decent level. If I lift the high end with eq and add compression, it just adds more noise. There's only vocals, and acoustic guitar in my songs, so there isn't anything else in the mix to hide the noise. There's at least a little noise in basically every recording or video I've heard or seen on quiet sources similar to mine, whether they were using a dedicated ribbon pre or not.
Would the high output transformer dampen the thin ribbon too much and affect bass. mid, or high end response? I’ve found posts online where people talk about using high output transformers with thicker ribbon for impedance purposes to use with typical preamps. No one ever explains why thinner foil may not work with high output transformers or if the sound quality is just going to be subpar. I’m hoping something like this would work, since I already have a ribbon pre with a 10k ohm input impedance.
Maybe an active ribbon would be a better choice, but nice ones are more than I would like to spend right now. Is my idea a good alternative?
I would also like to open up and extend the high end some, which I’ve read that better transformers (Lundahls or Cinemags) in more typical ratios like 1:37 can help with. I don't really want to lose any of the thickness on the low end that I like on my voice either.
I enjoy using ribbons on my soft, quiet vocals and finger-picked acoustic guitar. They sound very thick and natural. I have a True Systems P-Solo Ribbon pre already, I just still get some preamp noise recording these two soft sources, especially at a decent level. If I lift the high end with eq and add compression, it just adds more noise. There's only vocals, and acoustic guitar in my songs, so there isn't anything else in the mix to hide the noise. There's at least a little noise in basically every recording or video I've heard or seen on quiet sources similar to mine, whether they were using a dedicated ribbon pre or not.
Would the high output transformer dampen the thin ribbon too much and affect bass. mid, or high end response? I’ve found posts online where people talk about using high output transformers with thicker ribbon for impedance purposes to use with typical preamps. No one ever explains why thinner foil may not work with high output transformers or if the sound quality is just going to be subpar. I’m hoping something like this would work, since I already have a ribbon pre with a 10k ohm input impedance.
Maybe an active ribbon would be a better choice, but nice ones are more than I would like to spend right now. Is my idea a good alternative?