Sm7 sound compared to Fathead

[caseybasichis]

Hi,
What should expect a ribbon, specifically a Fat Head 1, to offer that the sm7 doesn't, aside from the pattern? I've never used a ribbon before.

Thanks,
Casey

[Spookym15]

Umm the fat head is a cheap ribbon, sounds a bit cheap too. It is fun to mess around with but I would use the SM7 more then the fat head. There is one in my studio and I messed with it once, was not a fan. I would get a beyer ribbon for 500-600 huge difference. The Fat head was just boring to me and sounded like a radio shack microphone, maybe it was broken. Nothing jumped out at me as really worth buying. I heard a few good things, if it is like 100 bucks buy it and see what happens you might like it if not sell it on craigslist for 100 bucks. I heard they vary from piece to piece too, kinda like SE. I worked at a place where we got those in and they hand picked them, I thought they were cool then used a different studios, same model and it sounded totally different, both went through a 610. The cheaper gear varies from piece to piece, very much like berhinger.

[peeder]

I really like my fathead 2 blumlein kit with lundahls. They are very dark compared to most mics, and have maybe a bit less output than the sm7 (which itself is very low output). But the thing about ribbons is what they do give you is remarkably clear and accurate. The SM7 has a certain "buzz" to the sound down underneath that a ribbon won't. Condensers have a buzz up above. Ribbons are quite unique and in the digital age where we have plenty of high-end clarity already they can play a great role in arranging a soundscape.

[thermos]

Hmm, I can't say I agree with either of these posters. I feel ribbons in general are anything but accurate. The Fatheads have a large proximity effect, and in general are quite dark. They seem to have roughly the same, if not a lower output than an SM-7. From the ribbons I've had in here (Royer, Shiny Box with Lundahl upgrade), i'd say its a clear step above the Shiny Box, and not quite as good as the Royer, though not by much! I may actually prefer the voicing of it to the Royer......I also find them very consistent, I have 3 and they seem pretty damn similar.

Your best bet is to try one, no one can accurately describe one to you. Some people just don't like ribbons. I realy love the Fatheads, I use them probably as much or more than my 57s.

[BudgetMC]

Me loves my Fathead. Me no have SM7. Someday maybe.

For now... Fathead good.

[Acoustic Cloud]

You know, I can get more gain from my DVC and the Hardy M-1 with the Fathead (w/Lundahl) than I ever could with the SM-7. IMO, that sm-7 needs to be the last addition to almost anyones mic collection.

Just my opinion. Flame away!

[aussie_techie]

Originally Posted by thermos

I feel ribbons in general are anything but accurate.

perhaps most are not accurate but i think the Royer SF12 is very accurate. i mean hell if its good enough for orchestral recordings it has to be. then again i dont know of anything else that uses a thinner ribbon so you expect it to be more accurate.

sorry for getting off track

[Wayne]

Why even use the term accurate'. (Earthworks get a 'maybe?, at least in the ball park.) But why go there? I hear the Fathead as having a bump in the upper bass vs the R121 that has a little presence lift in the high mids, not that it won't sound nice though.
Isn't it interesting that they both can sound pretty 'natural in spite of being way down on the top octave?
Staying off track...

[Wayne]

Originally Posted by Wayne

Why even use the term accurate'. (Earthworks get a 'maybe?, at least in the ball park.) But why go there? I hear the Fathead as having a bump in the upper bass vs the R121 that has a little presence lift in the high mids, not that it won't sound nice though.
Isn't it interesting that they both can sound pretty 'natural in spite of being way down on the top octave?
Staying off track...

You know what, scratch that. You say 'accurate and I turn right around and say 'natural.