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[bigbone]

compasspnt wrote on Thu, 31 August 2006 22:39

Oh no!!! You have removed the ribbon! No wonder it's more transparent now! Seriously, yes those are the pieces.  They protect the ribbon, and would certainly cut down on broken or returned product at the "manufacturer's" (read "distributor's") end. They have no idea how much abuse a microphone might get in the field. But the pieces, especially the metal ones (I almost put my "little silk bag" back in, but I was having difficulty doing so, and just resigned it as well), would make the sound waves prone to reflective comb filtering, amongst other anomolies, so without these guards, the sound is much more "pure" and direct.  This removal helps clear up the high end, and seems to extend the high response a bit. However, the ribbon is now more exposed, so any blasts of air, or even much movment of air at all, might cause a problem.  So you will have to be careful transporting it (don't move it quickly through the air, for instance), and always use a (preferably foam) filter when doing (especially close) vocals. For use on drums or other instruments, certainly those at a distance, it should be fine as is. Adding the dense celled foam to the cavity can help prevent standing wave and/or other resonances, and adding the foam to the lower (under ribbon) section can help prevent stray reflections.  These mods can help tighten up the low end, extending its apparent range, and that can also make the mids less prone to phase cancellation problems. Many lower priced microphones that are otherwise built with some decent components (Oktava come to mind here) will have these types of "guards" built in (at the expense of a little bit of sonic purity), because they expect that non-professional idiots may be using and abusing them.

TERRY...

You got me for second...Grrrrrr

but seriously, i use those only as OH'S. so i should be fine. and i always move them
with great care...........and thank you for those advice. as always, you give me great advice.....all the best.

Jean Nadeau

[compasspnt]

maxim wrote on Thu, 31 August 2006 18:34

terry wrote: "...they expect that non-professional idiots may be using and abusing them" huh? who are you calling non-professional?

Well of course it's none of us here at PSW.

I think they worry about that one guy in

linux/mac post

[maxim]

aaah...him!

[bigbone]

compasspnt wrote on Fri, 01 September 2006 00:45

maxim wrote on Thu, 31 August 2006 18:34 terry wrote: "...they expect that non-professional idiots may be using and abusing them" huh? who are you calling non-professional? Well of course it's none of us here at PSW. I think they worry about that one guy in linux/mac post

Are you talking about me again........

[Red Tape]

Denny W. wrote on Thu, 31 August 2006 12:46

a transformer based pre with a low input impedance would be a good match for this mic.

Surely a high-impedance input would be much better for a low-impedance ribbon mic?

[Fibes]

I have two pais of alactron ribbons and professionally abuse them daily.

I also have Royers that I prefer.

The Alactrons are darker, muffled and in need of some more top but for now I'm keeping them in safe mode because they are different enough from my other mics (Royers etc) that for some sources, like muted trumpet, they are pretty appropriate.

[Jack Schitt]

Red Tape wrote on Fri, 01 September 2006 09:44

Denny W. wrote on Thu, 31 August 2006 12:46 a transformer based pre with a low input impedance would be a good match for this mic. Surely a high-impedance input would be much better for a low-impedance ribbon mic?

You'll have to take it up with the author of the article. I have no idea.

[Trumpetman2]

Fibes wrote on Fri, 01 September 2006 12:57

I have two pais of alactron ribbons and professionally abuse them daily. I also have Royers that I prefer. The Alactrons are darker, muffled and in need of some more top but for now I'm keeping them in safe mode because they are different enough from my other mics (Royers etc) that for some sources, like muted trumpet, they are pretty appropriate.

Agree, but overall compared to my Sennheiser 441...they suck!

[Fibes]

Trumpetman2 wrote on Sat, 02 September 2006 11:35

Fibes wrote on Fri, 01 September 2006 12:57 I have two pais of alactron ribbons and professionally abuse them daily. I also have Royers that I prefer. The Alactrons are darker, muffled and in need of some more top but for now I'm keeping them in safe mode because they are different enough from my other mics (Royers etc) that for some sources, like muted trumpet, they are pretty appropriate. Agree, but overall compared to my Sennheiser 441...they suck!

Not compared to Blue Balls.

The Alactrons are my cheapest mics and have thier place.

Um.

I'm digging the Alactrons on sharp guitar tones but they still leave me wanting more. I have yet to try them on the room mics since the Bova Balls are kicking the donkeys ass there currently.

[compasspnt]

Be careful where you put Bova Balls.

You will want more of them.

[Fibes]

compasspnt wrote on Sat, 02 September 2006 19:20

Be careful where you put Bova Balls. You will want more of them.

Believe me, I knew the day they arrived.

Acoustic guitar magic.

[resolectric]

iamthecosmos wrote on Wed, 30 August 2006 10:35

I was thinking about buying the T.bone RB 500 version of this (same mic, just rebranded at Thomman.de), mainly for use on elecric guitars but also for cymbals. Has anyone got any good results from this?

I have two.
Bought one, loved it so much i bought another the following week.

I've just finished an album where most acoustic guitar and vocals were recorded with the RB500.

I've been using those constantly for the past 6 months, mostly in vocals.
They give a definite early 50's sound to the vocals and i find them exceedingly good with powerful female vocalists.

It's not a very bright microphone, nor does it have a strong output but that is expected with ribbons.
I find it a bit essssy if equalized to favour the highs.

The RB500 is, IMHO, a very good buy.

[iamthecosmos]

Has anyone used them for loud electric guitars? I'm afraid our guitarist's fender twin will blow the ribbon...

[tats_dragon]

IF Nady is the same as the Apex 210 the specs say up it will handle up to 165dB.
http://www.apexelectronics.com/index.php?tmp=4&id=90
Full Compass has them for $115!
http://www.fullcompass.com/product/314929.html

Jun

[iamthecosmos]

That's seems high enough! I still won't be happy the first time I use that for the twin though.