Gearslutz.com - View Single Post - Which chinese ribbon mic (modded or otherwise) can get me close to a 44-BX?

Michael_Joly · 11th November 2009

Any of "long ribbon" type of microphones - Apex 205 etc will get you there. There are a number of similarities to the RCA 44 ...

* The ribbon dimensions in the Chinese "long ribbon" mics (2 micron x 5mm x 60mm) are essentially the same as the RCA 44.
* Both the Chinese "long ribbon" mics and the RCA 44 have minimal front-to-back path length over most of the ribbon length for extended HF.
* The 44 required large magnets to provide high field strength in the gap, modern mics with Neodymium bar magnets get the job done in less space.
* Modern transformer material and techniques actually exceed the performance of transformers found in the vintage mics.

So with ribbon dimension, path length and field strength similarities - plus the availability of superior transformers, that leaves only headbasket acoustical differences to impart minor reflection coloration differences between the classic RCA 44 and the new Chinese built "long ribbon" mics.

11th November 2009	#2
Michael_Joly 3 + infractions, forum membership suspended. Joined: Nov 2005 Location: Cape Cod Posts: 2,735	Any of "long ribbon" type of microphones - Apex 205 etc will get you there. There are a number of similarities to the RCA 44 ... * The ribbon dimensions in the Chinese "long ribbon" mics (2 micron x 5mm x 60mm) are essentially the same as the RCA 44. * Both the Chinese "long ribbon" mics and the RCA 44 have minimal front-to-back path length over most of the ribbon length for extended HF. * The 44 required large magnets to provide high field strength in the gap, modern mics with Neodymium bar magnets get the job done in less space. * Modern transformer material and techniques actually exceed the performance of transformers found in the vintage mics. So with ribbon dimension, path length and field strength similarities - plus the availability of superior transformers, that leaves only headbasket acoustical differences to impart minor reflection coloration differences between the classic RCA 44 and the new Chinese built "long ribbon" mics.