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Post by tonycamphd on Dec 6, 2014 11:49:51 GMT -6
Has anyone tried these? this guy is a complete badass, i modded out a couple apex205 style mics with his toroidal RT32 transformers, and i also cut/corrugated and put in my own 1.8 ribbons, they sounded pretty good and useable, but nothing to write home about. Then kidvibes was telling me how amazing Marks work turned out for him, so i contacted Mark and he told me he created a custom diffuser plate specifically designed for the apex 205 style mics, and humbly told me that "doing ribbons is a bit harder than it looks". So i reluctantly(skeptically) went ahead and sent him my pair of mics while hoping for the best, $500 and a week later, the mics returned and knocked my block off! simply awesome sounding! the high end rivals a quality condenser, but retains that smooth ribbon quality up there, everything below is pure butter ribbon quality delivered in a very present way, it's almost weird actually? I highly recommend giving Mark a shot, the price on his flagship mic is amazingly affordable, and came out #1 in the $60,000 ribbon mic shootout. Go to this link, and listen to sample 5 and 7 about a third the way down the page, one is Royer121, and the other is Samar, try to guess which is which. recordinghacks.com/2011/07/22/ribbon-shootout-drum-overheads/recordinghacks.com/2011/07/13/too-many-ribbon-mics/www.samaraudiodesign.com/Products.html |
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Post by drbill on Dec 6, 2014 12:27:02 GMT -6
IMO, good ribbons are almost more necessary in this digital age than condensers. I usually have to fight condenser zing in the mix, but ribbons are always so smoooooth as you mentioned.
M.Joly (Oktavamod) does similar mods to the 205, and my 3 MJ 205's are world class, and desert island mics for me along with my Gefell's, Neumann's, MK47 and Innertube87. Just amazing. I'm sure samar's are similar. My first pair are flat down to 8Hz, and the bottom is off the hook. Later MJ has done a trick that dampens the ultra LF's, and that one is cool too. The 205 is a huge sleeper mic. Easy and inexpensive to take it to another level.
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Post by kidvybes on Dec 6, 2014 15:11:46 GMT -6
..."Marik" (Mark Fouxman) is absolutely legendary in the microphone meta-mod archives for his ribbon-mic modifications...many others learned the tricks of the trade from his boatload of informative and educational posts... ...his new Samar Audio Design ribbon-mics may be the best in the marketplace...as he explained to me, the custom designed acoustic plates and his own design high-grade toroidal transformers are very much the secret-sauce in his builds...a recognized concert pianist, as well as a truly gifted audio engineer/designer, and as nice a gentleman as you may meet in this life... ...his ribbon-mic mod options are an absolute steal!: samaraudiodesign.com/RibbonMicMods.html |
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Post by dandeurloo on Dec 7, 2014 18:57:00 GMT -6
I have heard them. They sound unreal! Marik is one of the best if not the best at Ribbons. I have 4 crappy Chinese mics that he re ribboned and put his transformers in. They sound killer. I can't recommend him enough. Very sweet guy as well.
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Post by KJ on Dec 7, 2014 19:30:27 GMT -6
Has anyone tried these? this guy is a complete badass, i modded out a couple apex205 style mics with his toroidal RT32 transformers, and i also cut/corrugated and put in my own 1.8 ribbons, they sounded pretty good and useable, but nothing to write home about. Then kidvibes was telling me how amazing Marks work turned out for him, so i contacted Mark and he told me he created a custom diffuser plate specifically designed for the apex 205 style mics, and humbly told me that "doing ribbons is a bit harder than it looks". So i reluctantly(skeptically) went ahead and sent him my pair of mics while hoping for the best, $500 and a week later, the mics returned and knocked my block off! simply awesome sounding! the high end rivals a quality condenser, but retains that smooth ribbon quality up there, everything below is pure butter ribbon quality delivered in a very present way, it's almost weird actually? I highly recommend giving Mark a shot, the price on his flagship mic is amazingly affordable, and came out #1 in the $60,000 ribbon mic shootout. Go to this link, and listen to sample 5 and 7 about a third the way down the page, one is Royer121, and the other is Samar, try to guess which is which. recordinghacks.com/2011/07/22/ribbon-shootout-drum-overheads/recordinghacks.com/2011/07/13/too-many-ribbon-mics/www.samaraudiodesign.com/Products.htmlyou mean this one right? I don't think it's 'amazingly' affordable although it is still affordable compared to some of the AEA ones. |
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Post by tonycamphd on Dec 7, 2014 19:56:01 GMT -6
Has anyone tried these? this guy is a complete badass, i modded out a couple apex205 style mics with his toroidal RT32 transformers, and i also cut/corrugated and put in my own 1.8 ribbons, they sounded pretty good and useable, but nothing to write home about. Then kidvibes was telling me how amazing Marks work turned out for him, so i contacted Mark and he told me he created a custom diffuser plate specifically designed for the apex 205 style mics, and humbly told me that "doing ribbons is a bit harder than it looks". So i reluctantly(skeptically) went ahead and sent him my pair of mics while hoping for the best, $500 and a week later, the mics returned and knocked my block off! simply awesome sounding! the high end rivals a quality condenser, but retains that smooth ribbon quality up there, everything below is pure butter ribbon quality delivered in a very present way, it's almost weird actually? I highly recommend giving Mark a shot, the price on his flagship mic is amazingly affordable, and came out #1 in the $60,000 ribbon mic shootout. Go to this link, and listen to sample 5 and 7 about a third the way down the page, one is Royer121, and the other is Samar, try to guess which is which. recordinghacks.com/2011/07/22/ribbon-shootout-drum-overheads/recordinghacks.com/2011/07/13/too-many-ribbon-mics/www.samaraudiodesign.com/Products.htmlyou mean this one right? I don't think it's 'amazingly' affordable although it is still affordable compared to some of the AEA ones. hmmm... i thought it was $1,200 for some reason? I still believe it's probably the best ribbon mic available at any price? |
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Post by KJ on Dec 7, 2014 20:07:48 GMT -6
well, I haven't heard it in person so I can't tell but yeah it looks pretty solid to me  ribbon mic with clarity is always a good thing. |
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Post by Johnkenn on Dec 7, 2014 20:14:51 GMT -6
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Post by jcoutu1 on Dec 7, 2014 20:19:16 GMT -6
$2500 eh? Balls.
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Post by Johnkenn on Dec 7, 2014 20:22:40 GMT -6
The AL39 is $999 I believe.
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Post by dandeurloo on Dec 7, 2014 20:33:05 GMT -6
Both his mics that I heard sounded very similar. The AL39 would be the ribbon mic of choice if you are looking for a great all rounder.
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Post by kidvybes on Feb 5, 2015 9:23:39 GMT -6
Mark Fouxman of Samar Audio'... Attachments:
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Post by tasteliketape on Feb 5, 2015 9:44:34 GMT -6
I have the mf65 it sounds like a great ribbon should except with a VERY VERY SMOOTH top end thats way extended for a ribbon[kinda 251 smoothness to the top end wish I had another one
my 1 cent
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Post by tonycamphd on Feb 5, 2015 9:47:29 GMT -6
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Post by kidvybes on Feb 13, 2015 17:34:13 GMT -6
Our latest release features lead vocals tracked on a Mark Fouxman/SAMAR modified Cascade Victor (re-ribboned, SAMAR toroidal tranny and custom acoustic plates):
(Set resolution to 1080p for best audio)
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Post by kidvybes on Feb 14, 2015 10:00:56 GMT -6
...and between crimping ribbons: Attachments:
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Post by EmRR on Apr 25, 2015 22:50:07 GMT -6
I have a pair of MF65's. They sound great on just about anything, Excellent sense of room space at all times, not yet once in a negative way. Multiple sessions with solo artists doing lots of overdubs with various instruments, I have taken the challenge of using just the MF65 for everything, expecting it to fail and be replaced at some point. It usually isn't, especially not if it's all acoustic instruments and voices. I rarely add any top to them.
I have various other Chinese ribbons Mark modified for me, they are all solid tools as well.
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Post by Johnkenn on Apr 26, 2015 9:33:12 GMT -6
Stay tuned for a chance to win the new VL37!!!!!
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Post by gouge on Apr 27, 2015 6:09:01 GMT -6
the studio has an rca 74jr being overhauled by samar. after reading this thread I'm a little excited.
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Post by Ward on Apr 27, 2015 6:27:14 GMT -6
What is the chance that one of you with a high end Samar could do a side-by-side comparison with a well-known LDC?
I'd really like some context please!
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Post by EmRR on Apr 27, 2015 7:16:52 GMT -6
When time allows, sure.
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Post by lpedrum on Apr 27, 2015 9:17:28 GMT -6
Mark--a few questions about the beautiful VL37 please...
1. You say it has a built in pop filter. Does it realistically completely do away with the need for an external pop filter?
2. How do you mount the VL37? What do you recommend?
3. Is there any chance your site will include sound samples? I know they're limited in their helpfulness but it's hard to judge a mic on words alone.
4. Can you explain a bit how you voice the mic to achieve it's "smooth top end?" Are electronics built in that in essence eq the mic, or is it something different?
Frankly, I find that LDC mics often fail for female vocalists, especially younger ones--just too much sonic information. I turn to my AEA 84 often and appreciate it, but I wouldn't call it a "wow" mic. The VL37 really intrigues me.
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Post by Ward on Apr 27, 2015 9:58:58 GMT -6
SNIP Frankly, I find that LDC mics often fail for female vocalists, especially younger ones--just too much sonic information. I turn to my AEA 84 often and appreciate it, but I wouldn't call it a "wow" mic. The VL37 really intrigues me. I'm gonna +1 that! I often deal with younger female singers who are scared of their own voices because of all the detail and high-end that they have not yet become accustomed to. And in fairness, sometimes with younger voices, there is just way too much of it in abundance. An alternate to LDCs with all their exaggerated "air" and LDDs with their exaggerated "presence" would be most welcome. But finding a ribbon with LDC clarity has proven to be an exercise in futility. I have hopes for the Samar. |
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Post by markfouxman on Apr 27, 2015 15:35:17 GMT -6
Mark--a few questions about the beautiful VL37 please... 1. You say it has a built in pop filter. Does it realistically completely do away with the need for an external pop filter? 2. How do you mount the VL37? What do you recommend? 3. Is there any chance your site will include sound samples? I know they're limited in their helpfulness but it's hard to judge a mic on words alone. 4. Can you explain a bit how you voice the mic to achieve it's "smooth top end?" Are electronics built in that in essence eq the mic, or is it something different? Frankly, I find that LDC mics often fail for female vocalists, especially younger ones--just too much sonic information. I turn to my AEA 84 often and appreciate it, but I wouldn't call it a "wow" mic. The VL37 really intrigues me. Ipedrum, 1) Really depends on how you use it. For close vocal miking I'd still use an external pop filter (you can easily determine by having pops). On the other hand, because of huge proximity effect inevitable for fig8 pattern (just physics law) ribbon mics shine at some distance. For VL37 I would recommend at least 8"-12". 2) The VL37 comes with a shockproof clip, which is quite effective in absorbing vibrations. You could also use some 3rd party shock mounts. I could recommend Rycote. 3) I already posted in another thread, but will repost it here. VL37 on Baroque Ensemble (including female vocals). M/S, no EQ .wav: samaraudiodesign.com/VL37%20Ensemble.wav4) There are a few reasons for extended and smooth top end. First, our motors have a very short front-to-back path (in fact, the shortest ever made in a ribbon microphone, past or present). Please refer to my article on that posted here: realgearonline.com/thread/3223/ribbon-microphones-work Second, with very carefully tuned interaction between acoustical resonators and grill size and material we could shape the top end even further, and third, our own made in house toroidal transformers (specifically designed and tuned to this model) have a very linear impedance on top end, with just very slight raise above 50kHz, so they do not shunt top response. In short, it is just a highly optimized system with all the parameters carefully tuned to work together. Best, M |
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Post by markfouxman on Apr 27, 2015 15:47:10 GMT -6
An alternate to LDCs with all their exaggerated "air" and LDDs with their exaggerated "presence" would be most welcome. But finding a ribbon with LDC clarity has proven to be an exercise in futility. That was exactly our main goal with both MF65 and VL37--to make an alternative tool, which would combine the best qualities of ribbons (low distortion, smooth and natural sound), and LDC (good and open top end response). I believe, this opens the whole new range of applications, in which ribbon microphones have never been used before--from classical ensembles, orchestra, to vocals, piano (including classical), broadcast, and others... Best, M |
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ribbon mic with clarity is always a good thing. 
