Microphone test samples.

Maestro_dmc · 08-02-2011, 02:23 PM

I recently sent a Ribbon mic that I have owned for many years in to be re-ribbon-ed (Stephen Sank, Talking Dog transducer did the work.)

When I got the mic back I decided to record some samples for comparison. I recorded my electric guitar with three different mics simultaneously. The results were pretty much as I expected.

The mics:
Shure SM-57 Dynamic, on-axis, right on the cone near the edge:

Groove Tubes GT-57 Condenser Mic, Omni pattern, about two feet back from the amp.

Shure Model 300 Ribbon Mic, slightly above speaker pointing down near edge of cone.

I already have my opinions about the results, I'd like some outside input.

Also, I plan to post samples this weekend of live acoustic guitar with the same three mics, as well as some vocals.

(Note: let me know if any problems listening to the samples. I posted them as WAV files, but sometimes Dropbox makes issues when you try to open those through Public Links. I will post MP3's if so)

Enjoy!

lifesglorydead · 08-02-2011, 02:32 PM

Could just be my browser (chrome) but I couldn't get 'em to play.

to_be_released · 08-02-2011, 03:53 PM

I also couldn't play it within browser, but "save link as" let me play them in vlc just fine.

to_be_released · 08-02-2011, 03:57 PM

Oh, and funnily enough, I think that the sm57 sounds the most well rounded of the three, although I wonder how much of that is due to microphone position. The ribbon mic gives an older recording vibe to me.

Maestro_dmc · 08-02-2011, 04:00 PM

Okay, try 'em again. Changed them to MP3, they should work now.

gopats1479 · 08-02-2011, 08:50 PM

I also like the 57 the best. It just sounds much fuller and brighter than the others.

Maestro_dmc · 08-02-2011, 09:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by to_be_released

Oh, and funnily enough, I think that the sm57 sounds the most well rounded of the three, although I wonder how much of that is due to microphone position. The ribbon mic gives an older recording vibe to me.

Agreed on both counts. The 57 sounds exactly like what I've come to expect an Elec guit to sound like. The ribbon smooths out the highs, even rolls off some, and adds a lot of lo-mid "meat?". The Condenser is really bright, but could be a usable sound depending on what the song needed.

I should have noted that you are hearing these just as they were recorded, through the Presonus Studiolive with no EQ or compression.

After I exported the tracks, I did try tweaking the highs up a bit on the ribbon track to see how well it would take the EQ, and it still sounded great (though you are hearing it flat).

I'm thinking the Acoustic guitar tracks are going to be very interesting to hear comparison wise.

Maestro_dmc · 08-02-2011, 09:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gopats1479

I also like the 57 the best. It just sounds much fuller and brighter than the others.

Thanks for the input!

It really does. I'm starting to think that if I record Elect Guitar with the ribbon, I may want to try and EQ right on my amp based on what is coming through the headphones, or monitors. Maybe that will be the key for that mic. . .

Almost Enough · 08-02-2011, 11:46 PM

I started recording some stuff today and on a whim after reading this I decided to try a condenser microphone rather than my usual Shure SM57.

I got a WAY more transparent sound out of it. It was much easier to record with.

I placed my mic only 6" away from the speaker, slightly off axis, rather than 2 feet away.

Perhaps mic placement has a lot to do with the sounds too?

Maestro_dmc · 08-03-2011, 08:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Almost Enough

I started recording some stuff today and on a whim after reading this I decided to try a condenser microphone rather than my usual Shure SM57.

I got a WAY more transparent sound out of it. It was much easier to record with.

I placed my mic only 6" away from the speaker, slightly off axis, rather than 2 feet away.

Perhaps mic placement has a lot to do with the sounds too?

That's cool!

I think so. I use some IEM's with safety Ear Muffs over those as I move the mic around, to hear the changes in real time. I put the mic back a bit so I could try and get a bit more of the room sound. My condenser has three pattterns, so I chose Omni this time.

I think I could get more brightness out of the ribbon by moving it around. I could also EQ it at the board and on the amp until I'm happy.

**surferdude9375** · 08-03-2011, 12:11 PM

I like the condenser sound the most out of those three but I feel like the ribbon could sound much better if placed correctly.

Maestro_dmc · 08-03-2011, 12:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by surferdude9375

I like the condenser sound the most out of those three but I feel like the ribbon could sound much better if placed correctly.

I moved it around as I described above, until I had the least muddy sound I could get.

I'm not sure it was placed wrong, I think it's just the character of the mic.

Stratopastor · 08-03-2011, 01:57 PM

(tried to reply without noticing what others had said)

the ribbon's too boxy. the Groove Tube is OK, the SM57 wins by sounding more in-yer-face than the GT.

Ax · 08-03-2011, 04:56 PM

You guys seriously liked the Sure over the Groove Tubes? Sorry but no... It didn't sound terrible but the groove tubes was way more clear. The Ribbon mic is really disappointing though, something's not right with it or maybe it's just that specific mic, but it doesn't sound like other ribbon's I've heard.

lifesglorydead · 08-06-2011, 11:33 AM

I'm with Ax, I *really* like the GT.