Ribbon mics : DIY or purchase ?

[Emmathom]

Hi
I'd like to open a new thread about ribbon mics.
I believe that, due to the ribbon itself, the shape of the headbasket, it's not that easy to build a DIY ribbon mic from scratch (but I maybe wrong !)

Can some of you share their experience in building a ribbon mic ? or about some mod like adapting a ribbon in a LDC static mic ?

In the other hand, if we leave aside rather expensive ones (>800€) like Royer, Coles, Beyer, AERA, etc... is there any affordable reference which can give (at least if not excellent) good sounding results ?
I would be interested to get one (or a pair) for live instrument recording (not guitar amplifier) like horns, drums overhead, strings, etc... this kind of mic (ribbon) missing from my fleet.

I've noticed Bumblebee, NoHypeAudio, t.bone, Oktava, Superlux... and surely many more in that price range (350€<)
Some comment or advice ? some links ?

Regards

 

[kags]

Ribbons, having few components can be assembled for a low cost. I’ve used some commercial ribbons from MXL that we less than $100 and they sounded quite good. You could start with that and replace the transformer to see how that goes.

Before you get into winding your own ribbon, which is delicate but not that difficult, maybe take apart an inexpensive unit to learn how it’s assembled.

There are inexpensive ribbon kits from several companies, but you simply assemble the pieces. You won’t learn much about how to wind a ribbon, but you’ll get a very useable mic.

 

[Emmathom]

Ribbons, having few components can be assembled for a low cost. I’ve used some commercial ribbons from MXL that we less than $100 and they sounded quite good. You could start with that and replace the transformer to see how that goes.

Before you get into winding your own ribbon, which is delicate but not that difficult, maybe take apart an inexpensive unit to learn how it’s assembled.

There are inexpensive ribbon kits from several companies, but you simply assemble the pieces. You won’t learn much about how to wind a ribbon, but you’ll get a very useable mic.

Thank you for your input. So MXL (with a good transformer) to begin with. Also NoHypeAudio (~220€) or Bumblebee RM5 or 6 (~320€) are winkin' at me...

 

[kags]

Also check https://www.austinmics.com/

And

https://www.diyrecordingequipment.com/products/rm5-ribbon-mic

 

[Emmathom]

Also check https://www.austinmics.com/

And

https://www.diyrecordingequipment.com/products/rm5-ribbon-mic

The problem with these providers based in US is VAT + shipping + government import taxes...
For those living inside EU an european provider is simpler & cheaper.

So either NoHypeAudio for a CRM-1 (250€ all included / assembled & tested in Belgium)
or Thomann for a t.bone active RB-770 (159€) or a MXL R77 (275€)

They seem good deals for a first ribbon to begin with...

 

[wlinart]

The problem with these providers based in US is VAT + shipping + government import taxes...
For those living inside EU an european provider is simpler & cheaper.

That's indeed a problem. The RM-5 from diyre is actually from Latvia though, so that shouldn't be a problem: https://www.bumblebeepro.com/ And they have a lot of parts for ribbon mics.

So either NoHypeAudio for a CRM-1 (250€ all included / assembled & tested in Belgium)
or Thomann for a t.bone active RB-770 (159€) or a MXL R77 (275€)

They seem good deals for a first ribbon to begin with...

Nohype has some really great ones for a decent price.

 

[amplexus]

Bumblebee mics are killer. But not really a lot of diy.

You can actually build a ribbon from hardware store parts plus foil and a transformer if you have some basic hand tools, design knowhow, and some patience- of course your mileage will vary based on your skills and available tools.

The Austin mics are a bit more diy and generally i’ve heard good sounds from them.

 

[Electrobumps]

I've noticed Bumblebee, NoHypeAudio, t.bone, Oktava, Superlux... and surely many more in that price range (350€<)
Some comment or advice ? some links ?

Regards

@Whoops has posted about reasonable priced ribbon mics that he rates. I can't remeber the brands and models but worth searching his posts.

I have Royer, Coles and AEA mics. I recently purchased a couple of Bumblebee mics and interested to see how they fit in with my branded ribbons.

 

[rock soderstrom]

I have Royer, Coles and AEA mics. I recently purchased a couple of Bumblebee mics and interested to see how they fit in with my branded ribbons.

Perfect, I would be interested in your experiences here, keep us posted.

 

[TwentyTrees]

For what it's worth, I've a couple of NoHype ribbons and I love them both. The LRM-2 is the main banjo mic in this video and the trumpet mic (carefully placed!) in this song, if anything I slightly prefer it to the Coles we used on a previous recording. I also recently got the stereo ribbon, it makes a lovely room mic.

I prefer the NoHypes to the other cheaper ribbons I've used (Golden Age Project, t.bone, etc), they punch way above their price.