Print

Please login or register.
1 Hour 1 Day 1 Week 1 Month Forever
Login with username, password and session length

[Fraz]

Hello all,

I just got my AEA R84 ribbon mic yesterday, and am itching to try it out  I will primarily be using it to record trumpet and flugelhorn, and sax.

I am a complete neophyte with ribbon mics, and I have some questions:

1) I have heard that it may be the case that some of these R84s sound good and some less so. If this is the case, given that I am new to ribbon mics, how can I tell if my mic is a good mic or not?

2) As I have never used a ribbon mic before, what technique(s) should I use to record with it?  Trumpet? Sax? Bone?  How do I ensure that I get the best sound and do not damage the mic?

3) I read in the instructions that the mic should NOT be blown into. This sort of scared me a bit – what type of filters should I use?

This mic will go through a A-Designs MP2 and into a Lucid ADA 8824. Any tips on this chain?


Thanks in advance for any and all tips!

Fraser

[Dougtune]

 I've been on a lot of sessions where they put an old RCA mic 6 INCHES from the trumpet bell.  They're avoiding bleed, but the sound is weird.  I have an R84 and it's a similar animal to the RCA's.  They can handle high sound levels, but I get a good sound at about 3 feet away.  It has a figure 8 pattern, so it's picking up sound from behind the mic; if you hear too much room sound or bleed, put something behind the mic like plywood covered with foam.  Wind damages ribbons, so use a windscreen with vocals.

[Fraz]

Thanks, I'll keep that in mind :)_

Fraz

[darling]

 No different than other mics in placement....move it around until it sounds good. ( i like about  18-24 inches  head on for a trumpet )
No phantom power as this shreds most ribbons.
 As far as  sounding different  from mic to mic - yes and no....all mics vary a little, but these particular mics are pretty consistent.
Good choice for your horns.
Hope this helps - dave darling

[Fraz]

Thanks David!

Fraser