Tips on care and proper use
The ribbon microphone has a history rich in sound achievements. Look at virtually
any old movie newsreel, photo journal, recording promo shot, show business and
political picture, and you are likely to see the gigantic cages of chrome-plated
windscreen-covered, electronic contrivances we know as ribbon, or velocity, or
gradient, or ribbon velocity bigradient microphones, They all had one thing in
common, a “ribbon” of foil, an “eardrum” or “tympanic” membrane, Usually, they
were 1/8 inch to 1/4 inch, in width, 1 to 3 inches in length, very thin, (microns thick)
formed in a corrugated or crease-folded pattern. The foils were suspended between
two poles of a powerful magnetic assembly, to enable current to be formed by the
moving foil passing through the dense magnetic field. Essentially, this creates a
voice/sound-operated electric “motor”. The fact that it is air coupled to an energy
source makes it a primitive wind-to-electricity conversion device. Acoustically, this
air pressure deflection of the ribbon is referred to as “sound pressure level”, a term
used in sound specification sheets.
These microphones are considered “indoor” or studio mics, generally due to the deli-
cate nature of the fine ribbon of foil. Strong air blasts from wind, unwitting users
blowing into the mic to test its level, bass or low frequency p.a. speakers will almost
certainly drive this gossamer foil from its comfortable cradle, rendering it useless.
The overdriven corrugations stretch the foil, allowing it to flap out of its gap, shorting
it out on anything it touches, or worse, tearing it loose from its pole clamps, killing
the sound totally. The following suggestions should help users understand correct and
rewarding use of this wonderful creation, so kind to the human voice, the magical
Ribbon microphone!
39081_Output:Layout 1 17/6/10 07:36 Page 4
