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ace wrote:

QUOTE:
I have found the cheaper ribbon mics lack any real depth and loose detail on the top end.

Try something like the SE mini or the MXL 990S both around £80 and both large diaphram condensors. Or the AKG perception 100 (super cheap!).

All good mic manufacturers, with cheap mics. Need to do a listening test first. But then at that price as long as it picks up sound you should be laughing!

A:)

Nice one Ace, you mentioned the two mics I've been looking at the most (The SE mini and the AKG Perception). So that kind of confirms my research! I will check out DUCs recommendation as well, but the SE mini is swinging it for me at the moment (mainly because its quite a sexy thing and I'm a bit fickle like that!).

I have heard good things about the Perception and I generally like AKG products, but I personally haven't used it.

We have a bunch of low cost condensers at the school for student use (as well as the good stuff), and generally I don't like many of them. We have a bunch of low dollar (under $500) from Rode, Blue, Studio Projects, Audio Technica, Audix, M-Audio, and others.

Regarding the cheap ribbons, we have the Nady RSM-4, which is certainly not great but it's like $100, the shootout I heard used mod'ed RSM-4s & RSM-5s, an Apex 205, and a Coles 4038 ($1500 for comparison). The shootout was a part of the Project Studio Network podcast.

http://www.projectstudionetwork.com/

Show #94 had the ribbon shootout.

I believe on the Cascade fatheads you can choose the transformer you want to use.

Now the RSM-4 we have doesn't sound as good as the Blue Woodpecker, but considering that it is 1/10th the price, for someone on a budget it is a viable choice. I haven't done my own comparisons, as we only have one cheap ribbon mic, so I can't speak from personal experience, but based on the PSN shootout I certainly think they are worth comparing. Not to mention, the cheap condensers (at least everyone I've used) have issues of their own regarding quality.

I think the last cheap ribbon I used was the R1 active. V dissapointed with the sound from it. I love AKG mics of all flavours (although the solid tube was not as good as it could have been).

It is mic mine field out there.

Anyone heard of the dynamic condenser they have released (can't rember off the top of my head who makes it)!!

Or the many USB mics out there (v dodgy on AD converter types)!!!

The old rode NT2 is a favourite, and the newish sennhieser 614's sound really transparent as ovr hds or on acoustic guitar.

Just waffling now

let us know which you go for noiseboy55 and how it sounds

A

will do ace, taking the plunge this week.

Went for the AKG Perception in the end.......