Manual

end frequencies to the point where the ribbon mic emulates the performance curve of a

condenser mic with excellent results. This is not to say that a ribbon microphone can replace a

quality condenser mic, but the EQ friendliness inherent in ribbon microphones does allow for an

enormous amount of ﬂexibility.

The reason that ribbon mics take EQ so well is their inherent low self-noise, unusually smooth

frequency response characteristics and freedom from off-axis coloration. Dialing in high

amounts of equalization on condenser or dynamic microphones also means dialing in extra

amounts of the microphone’s distortion products and self noise contributing to an unnatural,

unpleasant sound. Because distortion and self-noise are almost non-existent in ribbon

microphones, high levels of EQ can be used without adding harshness or excessive noise.

Hum, Noise and Mic Orientation

All dynamic microphones, including ribbons, are susceptible to picking up stray alternating

magnetic ﬁelds. Power transformers (such as those found in guitar ampliﬁers) and alternating

current motors are the most likely sources of hum. Building wiring and electrical utility

transformers are other likely sources. A well-designed microphone provides shielding to

minimize the effects of stray magnetic radiation. In some cases complete isolation is impossible

and the result is usually hum or buzz. Ribbon microphones can potentially manifest this

condition to a greater degree because of their higher gain requirements. With vintage ribbon

microphones that employ large, bulky magnet structures, the problem can be worse. Royer SF-1

and SF-12 microphones are designed to minimize the effects of unwanted radiation by

integrating the transducer barrel as part of the magnetic return circuit. With this design, the

barrel that houses the transducer serves to complete the North-South magnetic return and

neutralizes the effects of outside magnetic radiation. The SF-1 mono and SF-12 stereo ribbon

microphones go one step further by incorporating toroid impedance matching transformers,

which have a natural ability to repel magnetic radiation.

Dynamic and ribbon microphones are passive devices, meaning they incorporate no external or

internal power supplies and have no head ampliﬁer and therefore cannot produce hum on their

own. Unwanted noise (hum and buzz) can only come from an external source. Repositioning a

dynamic or ribbon microphone is the easiest way to identify and eliminate unwanted noise. If

hum is detected, it means that the microphone is in the proximity of an alternating magnetic ﬁeld.

While listening (preferably with headphones) to the mic, move it around. The mic will ﬁnd the

noise source quite easily. If you are miking a guitar ampliﬁer and suspect the ampliﬁer’s power

transformer may be the source of unwanted noise, move the mic around the amp. You will

probably ﬁnd that the noise is louder as you approach the ampliﬁer’s power supply and quieter

when you move it away. Eliminating the noise can be fairly simple and requires using the ‘null’

point of the microphone. The null point is the position where the microphone’s pick-up of stray

magnetic radiation is at its lowest. Slightly rotating the microphone is usually all that is required

to cancel out the noise. This is similar to the procedure guitarists use to eliminate noise from

single coil guitar pickups. There will be a position where the noise is greatly reduced or

disappears completely.