Good cheap Ribbon Mic?

[polifemo]

I find the Studio Projects B1 as well as the SE X1 to be descent mics despite a low price.
I also have a pair of Oktava Mk 012s, that did not cost a fortune, that sounds great.

Are there any good cheap Ribbon Mics out there as well?

 

[if6was9]

T bone's ones are nice, I've the RB-100. Only 80euro and it's a nice sounding mic. It's a tad bit muddy but very warm sounding. I've used it on everything from bass,vocals, guitars, cymbal spot mic, room mic and it's done all of them pretty well.
Great mic for blending with others for more warmth and colour

 

[polifemo]

Thanks!

The T Bone RM700 seems to be a good one as well.
http://recordinghacks.com/microphones/t.bone/RM700

Anyone that owns both and can compare them?

 

[ElektricEyez]

I just picked up a Avatone Cr-14 which sounds pretty beefy!

 

[greyskull]

the 700 is WAY better than the cheaper one.

 

[Scissors61]

I've heard really good things about these guys:

http://www.cascademicrophones.com/index.html

 

[~BURNY~]

I have the rb100. Very dark. Came slack. I had to "fix" it myself. Not really digging it.

I have the RB500. Awesome as a room mic. interesting on vocals and definitely cool on rock guitars. I'm considering buying another one but I'm curious to hear the rm700 too.
I removed some of the internal protections.

I have the Apex 205. Ok but not great.

All these mic are generic chinese mic.
For example T bone RB500=Apex 210=Golden Age R1=Nady RSM-2=ALCTRON RM2=Cascade Victor

Just pick the less expensive in your area.

the 700 is WAY better than the cheaper one.

How does it compare to the 500? I seem to remember you have a pair of these?

 

[polifemo]

I removed some of the internal protections.

Tutorial

 

[~BURNY~]

Tutorial

http://www.hometracked.com/2007/08/17/ribbon-mic-mod-part-1-apex-205/

 

[recordinghacks]

All these mic are generic chinese mic.
For example T bone RB500=Apex 210=Golden Age R1=Nady RSM-2=ALCTRON RM2=Cascade Victor

Just pick the less expensive in your area.

Two points here:

1- some vendors take better care to ensure you're buying a properly-tensioned ribbon. I know Cascade does this. The others, probably not.

2- If you're shopping for cheap ribbons, you need to read this analysis:
http://recordinghacks.com/2008/11/01/chinese-ribbon-microphone-designs/
It's true that many China-made ribbon mics are the same; this article gives you a look under the hood to see which ones are actually different.

I have a transformer-swap HOWTO that may be interesting, once you've settled on a Chinese ribbon or two:
http://recordinghacks.com/2009/12/31/diy-ribbon-transformer-upgrade/

I realize it is potentially bad etiquette to join and post links right away, but the first one is really critical to this conversation; it will arm you with information you'll appreciate having as you shop for a cheap ribbon mic. Please don't shoot the messenger.

 

[~BURNY~]

Hey no problem, that was an interesting read.

 

[FrenchFrog]

Well, it's a pretty old thread but cool especially now for me coz I'm about to buy a cheap ribbon mic too...

The RB700 seems to be a good one but the Superlux R102, Superlux R102 MKII and MXL R144 cost almost the same price. Anybody own these? I'm VERY interested in having some opinion to compare the good/bad points of each one.

Thanks

 

[heshian46]

I've always wanted me a Blumein pair of those Cascade Fat Heads.
GAS'ing hard.

 

[FrenchFrog]

BUMP!

 

[AudioGeekZine]

29 ribbon mics compared http://recordinghacks.com/2011/07/11/60000-ribbon-mic-shootout/

 

[MatrixClaw]

I really like the Cascade Fat Heads.

 

[pipaguapique]

one more vote on the Fat Head here too!!

I loved that mic! i think im not ever going to buy another ribbon mic until i can afford a r121.

I have mine without the mod, i did hear a very slight difference in the high end when modified, but nothing you couldn't do with a little eq

 

[Sloan]

I bought two Nady RSM-4's and so far really like them for whatever. have been using them on guitar for my southern rock project and i really liked the sound so far.

 

[John_C]

Se R1

I'm very pleased with the sound, exactly what i'd want in a ribbon mic, smooth and detailed.

 

[FrenchFrog]

The FatHead seems to be really good for that price! I've never heard about this stuff before so thanks for your inputs guys
I know certain ribbon mics need a particularly goop mic pre. What preamp do you use with your Cascade?
I work with a Presonus Eureka only, I don't know if it's good enough for that mic genre...