lyons
Full Member
Posts: 28
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Post by lyons on Jan 1, 2024 13:49:17 GMT -6
Hey all,
Happy 2024!
I want to find a ribbon microphone which will work in a tracking room/booth which is about 9.5 ft by 7.5 ft.
I did try an AEA A440 (they weren’t joking when they said it weighed a ton) and for some reason the ringing resonances coming through were something else. But I was amazed by just how smooth it was, almost filtered out or negated grit in the voice that I didn’t want to keep and flattered the tone.
So I want to try again, given the size of the room, should I go for something cardioid/uni directional. Or are there alternatives that would work better? Or is my room just not ideal/big enough to use a ribbon?
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Post by Tbone81 on Jan 1, 2024 13:56:42 GMT -6
I love ribbons, but a small room can be tough for any microphone. I’d look into controlling the acoustics of the room first. Maybe get one if those free standing GIK broadband traps like this: www.gikacoustics.com/product/pib-portable-isolation-vocal-booth/How tall are your ceilings? You could be getting some comb filtering from low ceilings. |
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Post by notneeson on Jan 1, 2024 14:40:00 GMT -6
Maybe an m160 given its polar pattern?
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Post by EmRR on Jan 1, 2024 14:44:54 GMT -6
I use figure 8 all the time…ribbon or condenser. The pattern isn’t a problem.
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Post by honkeur on Jan 1, 2024 14:49:44 GMT -6
Maybe an m160 given its polar pattern? The M160 is kind of a “de-room-ifier”. But, maybe not a great choice for a vocal mic. (On almost any another source it is fantastic, though!) |
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Post by notneeson on Jan 1, 2024 14:54:15 GMT -6
Maybe an m160 given its polar pattern? The M160 is kind of a “de-room-ifier”. But, maybe not a great choice for a vocal mic. (On almost any another source it is fantastic, though!) Did not realize this was a vocal mic request. |
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lyons
Full Member
Posts: 28
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Post by lyons on Jan 1, 2024 14:54:52 GMT -6
The ceilings are a touch under 8ft. I was given some advice to lower the ceiling panels as at the time I was working on a project where the vocalist was seated. I never moved them back up.
I suspect I should take them back up to the ceiling and maybe try again. I also suspect the issue is with the room(?) and not the microphones. I’m also intending to run REW and see exactly what’s happening.
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Post by hadaja on Jan 1, 2024 15:53:41 GMT -6
Samar AL95 has a smaller foot print then an AEA440. Not only just in physical size. I do own this and it has been a while since i have used it due to many ribbons I own, but maybe you could get a demo on one of those to see if that works and place the null of Fig 8 in a most suitable place.
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Post by bossanova on Jan 1, 2024 18:22:20 GMT -6
Maybe an m160 given its polar pattern? The M160 is kind of a “de-room-ifier”. But, maybe not a great choice for a vocal mic. (On almost any another source it is fantastic, though!) It worked out okay for Billy Joel and David Bowie (a single album in the case of the latter, but Young Americans was still a pretty big hit). |
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Post by doubledog on Jan 2, 2024 9:33:14 GMT -6
Samar AL95 has a smaller foot print then an AEA440. Not only just in physical size. I do own this and it has been a while since i have used it due to many ribbons I own, but maybe you could get a demo on one of those to see if that works and place the null of Fig 8 in a most suitable place. I have a pair of AL95's and they are great! Small and light, easy to position, but it's going to depend on how that room is treated and the source... honestly not tried the AL95 on a vocal yet, but loved it on everything else. maybe one of those half-circle-shaped vocal shields would help (at least to keep reflections coming into the back side of the mic), or even hang a blanket on a mic-stand (on the back side of the mic) or you may have to put it near the floor or ceiling - depends on where the ugly reflections are coming from. |
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Post by svart on Jan 2, 2024 10:44:10 GMT -6
I'd just put a portable gobo or acoustic panel behind the ribbon to help control the phase issue that will happen from the comb filtering.
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kbb
Junior Member
Posts: 82
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Post by kbb on Jan 4, 2024 2:40:14 GMT -6
I'm not sure cardioid would be much better in a room that size - depends on the mic of course. My cardioid vocal mic does better than an R44, but it's not a fix all. If you have to track vocals before comprehensively treating the room, hanging blankets (as others have mentioned) helps. Also, if you have an outboard or plugin EQ/high pass filter, you might be able to use it and get close enough to the mic that the close sound is loud enough in proportion to the room sound that it's mixable - Depends on how much else is in the mix to hide/blend the room sound, etc., the style, song, etc., but it might work in a pinch. A longshot...if there's a closet in the space, throw some jackets in there and place the mic in the doorway so that the rear lobe is pointing into the closet of clothes. That's actually the best "cardioid" sound I've gotten from a figure 8 (ribbon) mic.
I wouldn't give up on the A440 though...that's a huge sounding mic with a lot to love. LOTS of proximity for sure, but other mics (and the vast majority of good sounding ribbons) are going to have plenty as well.
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Post by gravesnumber9 on Jan 4, 2024 8:19:30 GMT -6
No reason an m160 wouldn't sound great on the right vocal. Maybe with a bit of high boost later. I'd use that mic to save my daughter if she was drowning. I'd use it to do my taxes.
It can do anything well in my experience.
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Post by chessparov on Jan 4, 2024 12:48:10 GMT -6
Other than finally capturing Chuck Norris' voice.
Chris
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Post by chessparov on Jan 4, 2024 12:50:26 GMT -6
The M160 is kind of a “de-room-ifier”. But, maybe not a great choice for a vocal mic. (On almost any another source it is fantastic, though!) It worked out okay for Billy Joel and David Bowie (a single album in the case of the latter, but Young Americans was s till a pretty big hit). Billy Joel? All the Stranger. |
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Post by gravesnumber9 on Jan 4, 2024 14:02:30 GMT -6
Other than finally capturing Chuck Norris' voice. Chris Well, if there's a mic that can... it would be the m160. I just used it to fry up some bacon this morning and it came out perfectly done. Just a little chewy without all that crumbly crispiness you get from the Chinese knockoffs. |
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Post by ulriggribbons on Jan 4, 2024 14:33:09 GMT -6
The Beyerdynamic M500 was designed for vocals. It shares similar ribbon geometry as the M160, but has more protection to take the plosives better than the M160.
Another ribbon mic for vocals that I like is the Oktava ML-19. It's also directional like the M500, and has adequate protection around the ribbon without compromising sound.
$.02
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Post by gravesnumber9 on Jan 4, 2024 14:58:03 GMT -6
The Beyerdynamic M500 was designed for vocals. It shares similar ribbon geometry as the M160, but has more protection to take the plosives better than the M160. Another ribbon mic for vocals that I like is the Oktava ML-19. It's also directional like the M500, and has adequate protection around the ribbon without compromising sound. $.02 Not familiar with the m500. Looks really great. Why did they stop making it, what was it replaced with if anything? |
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Post by thehightenor on Jan 4, 2024 15:03:11 GMT -6
Hey all, Happy 2024! I want to find a ribbon microphone which will work in a tracking room/booth which is about 9.5 ft by 7.5 ft. I did try an AEA A440 (they weren’t joking when they said it weighed a ton) and for some reason the ringing resonances coming through were something else. But I was amazed by just how smooth it was, almost filtered out or negated grit in the voice that I didn’t want to keep and flattered the tone. So I want to try again, given the size of the room, should I go for something cardioid/uni directional. Or are there alternatives that would work better? Or is my room just not ideal/big enough to use a ribbon? Easy. AEA R92 Made for small spaces and close mic placement if needed. |
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Post by ab101 on Jan 4, 2024 15:04:13 GMT -6
The Beyerdynamic M500 was designed for vocals. It shares similar ribbon geometry as the M160, but has more protection to take the plosives better than the M160. Another ribbon mic for vocals that I like is the Oktava ML-19. It's also directional like the M500, and has adequate protection around the ribbon without compromising sound. $.02 I am so glad you posted this. I was going to write a post about how the M160 was very "plosive" prone even when I tried various good pop filters. And in a small room where one is trying to eliminate the "room factor" and likely close mic, it seems like the M160 is not a good choice. I did not know about the M500 design to take into account plosives. What about the AEA KU5A? Thank you. addendum: I also wonder if the Chandler Type L - which apparently has a ribbonesque quality, might be a good choice in this situation along with some of those screens (like a vocal booth) mentioned above. |
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Post by ulriggribbons on Jan 4, 2024 15:23:06 GMT -6
I don't know that anyone has info on why Beyerdynamic does anything. I really love a lot of their microphones( M160, M260, M201, M88, MC930), but they seem to care more about headphones =)
The last run I saw of the M500 was the millenium edition in 2000, that was all silver, and weighs a metric ton.
It was superseded by the TG V90r (which is also discontinued), but that uses a different resonator plate, and sounds a bit different (plus they screwed up the grill, in my opinion. It has a strong ping/resonance to it. It can be fixed with some foam inside the grill, but I digress)
I repair a lot of Beyerdynamic ribbon mics. The M500 doesn't have the same top end that the M160 has, but I like it on vocals. Worth checking out if you can find one at a good price.
Regards
Jon
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Post by gravesnumber9 on Jan 4, 2024 15:25:26 GMT -6
I don't know that anyone has info on why Beyerdynamic does anything. I really love a lot of their microphones( M160, M260, M201, M88, MC930), but they seem to care more about headphones =) The last run I saw of the M500 was the millenium edition in 2000, that was all silver, and weighs a metric ton. It was superseded by the TG V90r (which is also discontinued), but that uses a different resonator plate, and sounds a bit different (plus they screwed up the grill, in my opinion. It has a strong ping/resonance to it. It can be fixed with some foam inside the grill, but I digress) I repair a lot of Beyerdynamic ribbon mics. The M500 doesn't have the same top end that the M160 has, but I like it on vocals. Worth checking out if you can find one at a good price. Regards Jon Great tip. I'll keep an eye out for sure. |
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Post by Quint on Jan 4, 2024 16:16:17 GMT -6
You know, I've been interested in the AEA KU5A for directional purposes as well. I have four M160s, for directional ribbon purposes, but I'm always interested in other ribbons.
Who's using the KU5A?
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Post by chessparov on Jan 4, 2024 17:18:06 GMT -6
I like the AEA N22 quite a bit too.
Wes' pick on me...
In the under $1K AEA/Home Recording thing.
Chris
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Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
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Post by Deleted on Jan 4, 2024 23:01:41 GMT -6
How tall are your ceilings? You could be getting some comb filtering from low ceilings. Sing on your knees, problem sorted. |
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