My new favorite low end ribbon!

[Mr. Rick]

I've been using two upgraded ribbon mics for various things. An Apex 210 and Octava ML52. Both moded by Mike Joley with Lundhal transformers. I just bought and started to use the Superlux R102 phantom powered ribbon.http://www.avlex.com/superlux-products.html Out of the box this thing blows away the other ribbons I have. The published specs on this mic are pretty impressive, the sound is huge, I really love it on acoustic archtop guitar, Stand up Bass and some vocals. I run them all thru either a millennia or a Eureka. All of you who are doing comparisons between low end ribbons should try this mic out. I would love to hear the results. My Apex and Octava are now retired!

[drycounty]

Uh, okay "Mr. Rick" if that is your real name. Thanks for the sales pitch. I love these threads that all start anonymously from a user with no other posts. Just a bit curious, I'd say.

BTW, I'll gladly take that Oktava off your hands since it's not being used!!

[Shadow_7]

Even more blatent when you go to the site.

[top]Not Found

The requested URL /superlux-products.html was not found on this server.

[drycounty]

I'll admit, I was curious too but did manage to find it. Seems the salesman above didn't even write the right address.

The mic looks cool, but that's about it.

[bigbone]

Originally Posted by Mr. Rick

. My Apex and Octava are now retired!

Please send the oktava to my place, it will rest in peace. At least gear pimp put the right
URL for your junk.......

[Michael_Joly]

You know, I think all of my clients know how to spell both my name and "Oktava".

but anyway...

...I took a look at a published photo of the ribbon motor in the Superlux R102: Superlux Ribbon and Specialty Microphones

The Superlux R102 will produce an earlier high frequency roll-off than the mic the original poster claims I modified - the Apex 210. So in this aspect I would not regard the R102 as an improvement over the Apex 210.

The R102 ribbon motor has a longer front-to-back acoustic path length than is found in Apex 210 (Apex 205, Nady RSM-2 etc.) and thus is incapable of the high frequency extension found these mics. I suppose being an active mic, the R102 could include some built-in HF compensation EQ, but the "natural" response of its motor is band-limited by its front-to-back acoustic path length. Though I will admit a small attempt was made to shorten this somewhat in the R102.

In addition, I haven't heard a mass-market China-manufactured ribbon mic transformer (such as found in the R102) than can hold a candle to a transformer manufactured by a specialty house like Lundahl.

[Mr. Rick]

Yea, when I read my post over again it does sound like a phony!
The truth is I bought this mic on ebay a month or so ago from a guy called Fox audio? Located in Florida. He told me that the Superlux stuff was very under rated, I think he was right. I started to use it and thought I'd share my experience.There is always a first time for someone to write in on a forum! I've gotten a lot from reading all the posts here. I thought I'd throw in my opinion on something, thats all. If my URL didn't work then you can try this thing called "google" and start doing your home work from there! I don't operate a commercial studio, I only record my trio "Mr. Rick and The Biscuits"(got a plug in there, yes!) and a few other acts that I know. And for the person who wants to buy my Octava, it died about two days ago. If you are still interested in buying it from me write me at rzolkower@rogers.com
I don't think it's smart to imply someone is a fraud until you have done your own homework on the subject.

[Michael_Joly]

Yes, now that I've seen an email address I can identify, the original poster was in fact a client of mine. But I'll stand by my statements about Lundahl transformers and that the Apex 210, (205, Nady RSM-2) has more extended HF response than the R102 (published specs bear this out as well).

[peeder]

Never heard superlux, but I will ay that I have had three Oktava mics modded by Mr. Joly, and am more than satisfied with the upgrades rendered. I also have two fathead 2 ribbons with Lundahl trafos and they are very valued in my locker.

[Mr. Rick]

Hi Michael, sorry if this is starting to sound bad. I would like to mention to you and who ever is watching this thread that your work on the mics that you did for me was first class, excellent! I am not a tech person and am only expressing subjective opinion. I really really like the sound of this Superlux ribbon! It may be because it is phantom powered and the pre amp works less to get a big sound, I don't know. I would like to see what would happen if you took this mic and did your magic on it, what would we have? I bet it would be really something! Also my spelling gets bad at this time at night after a few glasses of Scotch.

[Shadow_7]

Why not link directly to it.

http://www.avlex.com/superlux/ribbon_mic.html

or get the original link right.

http://www.avlex.com/superlux_products.html

seems to be an _(underscore), not -(dash) from google anyway.

Nice to see that it's an actual product. The description seems nice. I don't much care for the frequency roll off. As a brass player, a lot of the character of the generated sound is in the higher frequencies. It is why synths always sound like synths when trying to reproduce brass sounds.

One question though. Why is there no price tag? Or even an MSRP for that matter. If they're $50 each, I might pick up a stereo pair. If they're $1,050, nevermind. It looks like emusician.com thinks the MSRP is $399. At which point I'd rather have a Fathead II($199) with transformer upgrade($150) for less($349).

[joeshambro]

i have one of the superlux ribbons in my studio right now, doing a review. it's a pretty good quality mic, but it's not perfect -- it does indeed sound great on acoustic guitar, horns, and loud guitar amp. vocals, not so much.

superlux also has a small-diaphragm condenser that was REALLY impressive for the cost, i've been using it religiously on high-hat and overheads, and it works great. also sounds killer on acoustic guitar.

[backhair]

Mr. Rick: you should edit the comment with your email address in it, you don't want spam bots picking that up and flooding your inbox.

the mic looks interesting, if for no other reason than the design, but that frequency plot is... fishy.

[crypticglobe]

I reject the notion that anyone... no matter how much time they have looking at frequency plots... can predict exactly what "impression" any given microphone will give. Sure, you can get a general idea about what you will hear by looking at the graph.... but it doesn't tell the whole picture.

The only way to know is try to one. And thus, the only way to properly buy pro gear is to work with a dealer that will let you try the thing before you buy. It's simply a bad idea to buy anything because of what you heard on GS alone. It's a great idea to try stuff people on here like though... because some of these cats really know their stuff.... but TRY before you buy... don't ever trust the plots....

Thats my 2 cents for today.... lol.

Oh... and thanks for the amusing push and shove on this thread.... classic!

[backhair]

Originally Posted by crypticglobe

I reject the notion that anyone... no matter how much time they have looking at frequency plots... can predict exactly what "impression" any given microphone will give.

i agree completely. i only made the comment about the frequency plot because it's obviously drawn and not generated from any kind of measurement. again- frequency plots can be misleading on their own, but they are useful nonetheless.

it looks like you can buy this model (straight from superlux?) at this site:
http://www.superlux.us/specialty.html

and yeah, we're a little quick to jump on people around here - hopefully Mr. Rick hasn't been scared off

[Grumblefoot]

@225.00 each they are more expensive than the Cascade Fatheads that I have worked with and enjoyed, are these alot better, anyone used both?

[Shadow_7]

I agree on the plot, it is drawn, not generated from field tests. To equally capture 0Hz to 15kHz is quite a task for any microphone. All you need is it's compliment that captures 15kHz and up equally, and you have the perfect microphone. Do a little EQ filtering and all is good. Look no further, you've found nirvana.

[aberwastone]

I just read an article from Music Tech magazine in the UK. This mic got rated 10 stars which alot stuff don't get that rating. For example. UAD expander got 9 stars. So if you are familiar with UAD stuff, you know their plugs kicks butt.


I am going to try one out while you other slutz make fun of the salesman who posted this comment. Jeez, its the cheapest Ribbon ($250) with that kind of rating that you can buy. Yes, I know, I know don't believe everything you read. bla bla..whatever. I don't think $250 is a big loss IMO to give a new cheap ribbon a shot at least. And music tech magazine has been pretty much right on with their ratings. From what I have seen. They have rated alot of equipment that I already or had own. I agree with most of their ratings. Also, I own Royers that cost me a mortgage payment. I hope to find a cheap Ribbon that keeps up with my royer 121s...

Peace

[james.ca]

Gimmie a break it's the wholesaler trynig promote his ribbon .
Of coarse he goofed the site address make you go look itup your self..
.
Just one more China made imports with a big markup .

3 mic plants and 300 brand names
Free Tibet
james.ca

[flute player]

OK, here ones again my good advice for the Cascade Fat head 2.
You won't regret it.
Here's a short piece recorded with the cascade through my HCL preamp.
It is recorded following the Blumbein method with a matched pair and allmost no eq is used besides reverb violet effect.m4a
Other good ones in the market seems to be the Shiny box.
I can't judge about the Oktava Ribbon, but from what I read it must be good too.
Consider to buy the modded MK-219, seems to be great on flute.
Maybe I'll contact Michael to hear the difference between the modded MK-219 and 319

Greetz,

Paul

[Michael_Joly]

Originally Posted by flute player

...
Consider to buy the modded MK-219, seems to be great on flute.
Maybe I'll contact Michael to hear the difference between the modded MK-219 and 319..."

The components that determine the basic sound of a large diaphragm condenser mic - the capsule and electronics - are the same in both the modded MK-219 and 319, only the headbaskets differ. This gives the 219 a tiny bit more lower midrange presence while giving the 319 a bit more "open" sound.

By the way, I agree with you about the 219 and flute. I make and play reed flutes - sort of ancient modal instruments made with just 3, 4 or 5 finger holes cut into large reeds that grow on the banks of small rivers. The Oktava mics, with their tight midrange phase accuracy, very low sibilance and natural mid-to-top balance deliver a superb flute tone without excessive breathiness.

[Dean7]

Originally Posted by aberwastone

All I am going to say is that the sound of thing impressed me so much on electric guitars...that for budget reasons..I am gonig to let go my prized Royer 121. I love the royer but man...$1200 mic verses a $230 and it sounds better to my ears on loud sources. I am letting my royer go. Its not worth it for me at my stand point...Thats a mortage payment..j

Got one for sale. $1100 and its yours. Royer 121, like new condition. Bought it from sweetwater few months back. Love it but too expensive to keep now that I have this R102 that floored me..

I honestly was impressed with the fat tone from my guitar with this mic. Sounds decent on acoustic too.

Music tech magazine rated this mic right on with 10 stars which is max for a product rating....I am glad that I gave it a chance. Save me $800 to spend on something else.

I encourage you all to open your ears to some of these chinese mics especially the R102... They are really a bargain. I scored on some great SE electronic mics too. Which impressed me. Never was so impressed with Rode mics. Tried a few and ended up selling them. The only rode mics I kept were the NT5s.. Some ADK mics are good. Like the vienna II au. Nice vox mic. but $1000.

Get this ribbon while its still cheap. Really a great deal and built like a tank.. The other suprise I liked that it uses 48v phantom. Unlike my royer, that does not require it. If you hit the 48v switch on a royer..you are likely to damage the $1200 mic. So I hate having to remember and worry about that stuff. I like it to be dummy proof.

Something about this seems fishy. Call me skeptical, but I just don't see how this thing could sound better than a R121.

Anyway, go ahead and open your ears to those Chinese mics and screw over the people who created the designs they are copying. While David Royer has been improving the state of the art these guys are probably just ripping other designs off (that's how those cheap Chinese mics are so cheap... no R&D). So you can obviously make your own decisions, but I'll just save up to buy an R121.

Edit: by the way, I DO own an Apex 205 so I'm not exactly a saint or anything, but I plan on buying the AEA mic that the 205 copied.

-Dean

[Dean7]

Originally Posted by aberwastone

Well, I look back and maybe my mind and ears really wanted to hear that the R102 to keep up with the Royer 121 because its $1000 cheaper. But after listening and listening. The royer has this mojo and spice that brings the electric guitar to a nice fit in the mix. I was a bit quick on the trigger..

The roye sits right in and no eq is required. The mic sounds like to me that it was designed and made for electric guitar recording. Like they purposely made it for that sole reason. Thats how well the royer fits into my mix with drums, bass guitar, etc...

Now back to the R102. Sounds good after more intense listening. But i take my words back. It doesn't beat the royer. The royer sounds more real, and alive compared to the R102. But with a little eq on the R102 you can get some decent guitar tracks and I would use it in place of a SM57 on occassions... So my conclusion is for $230 the mic isn't bad but its not a royer 121.

So to the guy with the nose for smelling fish good nose! It was fishy.

Don

Well, it's still impressive that it is a good-sounding ribbon out-of-the-box for the price. Can you post some soundclips sometime?

-Dean

[Dean7]

Well you obscured the file names, but the ID tags still have the name of each mic. You might want to re-record the test and remove the mic name from the ID tag.

Edit: also, that sounds like a completely unscientific test. Not even playing the same guitar line. Hmmm.

But, the R121 blew the other one away on the "clean" test I thought. Hard to tell because you switched pickup positions throughout recording so it was hard to compare.

[Corran]

Yeah, clean the Royer blows the other away. The dirty, they both sounded very similar. Both had ID3 tags as royer...was it accidentally duplicated?

I would love to try my 121 Chinese copy to see if it stands up (Stellar RM3)...but I don't have a Royer, and I don't ahve any reason to buy one right now.

[travisinhell]

Originally Posted by aberwastone

Is there a $1000 difference?

kind of hard to tell when clean 1 and distortion 1 sound like they're clipping like crazy. did you listen to the sound clips before posting them?

[travisinhell]

all examples sound like they're clipping now.

[Dean7]

Originally Posted by travisinhell

all examples sound like they're clipping now.

And with every test I feel more suspicious. Guess I'm just cynical.

[travisinhell]

Originally Posted by Dean7

And with every test I feel more suspicious. Guess I'm just cynical.

it ain't easy pimpin' gear.

[Dean7]

Originally Posted by travisinhell

it ain't easy pimpin' gear.

Speaking of which...

ZOMG the widget x maker's widget x mic is the most AMAZING thing I've ever heard! It sounds better than a Royer R121 + AEA's whole line of mics, and it even rocks every Neumann I've ever heard for vocals! Plus, it's got that vintage toob sound!!!! And it's $200 and made in China! LOLXORZ IT ROXXORZ!

What do you think about that as my first post when I create my new company that rips other designs off?