Shinybox ribbon mic review w/samples

[tubedude]

(Please dont reply until I've finished loading up samples, please, there will be 4 I think and I'll post when I'm done)

Shinybox 46MX with stock tranny. $250 new with hardmount, spider shockmount, pretty cool looking padded box, and a padded mic zipper bag.

Let me start with a disclaimer. Don't let any of my initial comments or samples sway you too hard either way about this mic. I didnt muss with placement much because I couldnt do it very well alone and I couldnt get my pinknoise generator to work as I intended, so I basically placed the mic about 1 foot from the cab, slightly angled forward, straight into the center of the cone. The cabinet was pretty much surrounded by traps about 2 feet to the sides and about 4 feet in front of it to kill the room from coming back in behind the mic. I'm more worried about making a possible good mic look bad with bad placement. So take it all carefully, this is all rough initial passes. Treat them that way.
I ended up making a quick drum beat with a Roland Groove Synth and looped it, tossed in a few cymbals and played the ride directly off the trigger through one pass. I thought the mix was missing some bottom, and I left my bass at home, so I used a Roland sampled bass synth to kind of fill up the bottom but I left it pretty low since I'm trying to hear the guitar sound more than anything, but yet I want to hear it in somewhat of a perspective at least. Make sense? Like I said, dont be too judgemental yet. This was roughly done start to finish, I even wrote the guitar riff and changes (what there are of them) right on the spot AFTER I made a drum loop.

Onwards...

This is my first hands-on in the ribbon world but I have several top notch dynamics (441, 421, Sm7, etc) and when I first put this up I was stunned at how much roll off ribbons really have. My other mics sound different but not in a huge way. Mostly subtle. This mic is in a different world. Let me say that it DOES sound really smooth. On my Mesa Recto it really kills that fizz that so haunts other mics on that amp. My ititial thoughts after I got the amp set up was that it made the Mesa sound more like a Marshall. Yeah, weird. It seems to help the high end out some, but does something to soften the transients up too. That could be bad with heavy heavy rock, but good for other styles. That could all change with some placement though, who knows. Again, take these opinions lightly they could and probably will change to some extent tomorrow.
I initially thought as I adjusted the amp that it was too dead through the monitors so I cranked the amp treble and presence up. After I doubled it, it became razor-like so I backed back off and tried to get a normal setting for it, though I didnt go out into the room to check. It was pretty loud in the room.
The chain here is Mesa dual Rec, into Mesa 2x12 cab with Vintage 30's, into the Shinybox to a BAE 312A and on to conversion.

Sample 1 is the guitars straight out of the amp.
Sampe 2 is with some Voxego HarmoniEQ on it (left my notes on the settings sitting on the amp.. damnit)
Sample 3 is some top rolled in with Waves Linear Broadband
Sample 4 has Voxengos Mixsaturator on the guitars.

Guitars are doubled left and right, panned at 70%.

[tubedude]

Here is the first one (listening back to this one for the first time right now on PC monitors makes me wonder if I SHOULD have done the others with some added top. Sounds decent on these little cheap guys.

Here ya go.

[tubedude]

Allright it just took me forever to upload one, so I'm leaving you with one for now and going to bed in a few. Comment away. I'll post a picture of the amp setup later if anyone is THAT interested in this.

Does it sound decent, or horrible, on YOUR monitors?

Peace
Paul

[PoorGlory]

Sounds good to me, even on my laptop's speakers. I'd probably EQ in some more highs during mix, but the tone is killer to start with.

[tubedude]

On my monitors I thought there as a bit of a weird boxiness going on, but on the stuff here at home it seems to sound pretty decent. Def sounds different from what I would expect from my other mics.
I expected more people to chime in considering the interest there has been in these cheaper ribbons.

[6strings]

Originally Posted by tubedude

I expected more people to chime in considering the interest there has been in these cheaper ribbons.

I, for one, do appreciate the review! Thanks!! (Just don't care for Mesa tone in general, and the ribbon makes it even duller.)

[tubedude]

Think it sounds dull then?

[6strings]

No offense to your production intended. I'm talking about that Mesa/ribbon color in general, though. Too "flavor of the day" for me. But I guess that's not what you were asking feedback on. Sorry. The mic sounds pretty good.

[tubedude]

Originally Posted by 6strings

No offense to your production intended. I'm talking about that Mesa/ribbon color in general, though. Too "flavor of the day" for me. But I guess that's not what you were asking feedback on. Sorry. The mic sounds pretty good.

So you think it sounds like the modern flavor of the day? I hope so! Which is just fine and dandy for me, cause thats what I'm after with this setup. I dont think it does, exactly, but its close in some ways. If others think that it does too, then I'm sold.

[darjama]

Well, the sound isn't my cup o' tea either, but I think it does sound pretty sharp. Seems like the mic is a nice balance for the Mesa. The doubling does make it a little more difficult to evaluate though.

[tubedude]

Originally Posted by darjama

Well, the sound isn't my cup o' tea either, but I think it does sound pretty sharp. Seems like the mic is a nice balance for the Mesa. The doubling does make it a little more difficult to evaluate though.

Elaborate. What IS you cup o' tea? What do you mean by "pretty sharp?" Looks like Wagener and I are going to test it out Friday on some cabs and hopefully I'll bring a few samples back with me. He has some Engl's there, which I've been interested in. Might trade out the Mesa and get an Engl.

[darjama]

Sorry for being vague. I meant the doubled mesa sound isn't what I usually like to listen to, but to each their own. By sharp, I mean that the recording was on point, professional-sounding, flashy. It was meant as a compliment.

[tubedude]

Dig. I saw on the "gear everyone hates" thread that a lot of people do not like the Royer on guitar cabs. I' m hearing what they are hearing Ithink, with this ribbon. A roll off. I think it sounds weird alone, and on these clips maybe a bit too loud, but would probably work in the mix of things in the end, which is what it comes down to. I'm undecided. I will have different feelings after comparing it with some other mics with some better placement. Right now, those clips sound nthing like my Mesa. Yet, they sound ok.
Hard to say on this issue. I plan to try it again tonight and try the other side of the mic too and see what happens that way.

[mdsmith64]

tubedude,

I think you did a great job and I personally like the tone...a lot. To my ears, it sounds smooth and warm and three dimensional. Thanks for taking the time to do this for the forum. I, for one, appreciate it. In fact, my personal feeling is that this board could use more examples like this. There are people who would argue that sound clips have no value because there are too many variables involved in the process of creating a clip, but at least a clip shows at least one possible outcome from using a particular piece of gear. To me that's at least a small step above a bunch of opinion/B.S. posted on a thread.

Best Regards,

Mike.

[tubedude]

Originally Posted by mdsmith64

tubedude,

I think you did a great job and I personally like the tone...a lot. To my ears, it sounds smooth and warm and three dimensional. Thanks for taking the time to do this for the forum. I, for one, appreciate it. In fact, my personal feeling is that this board could use more examples like this. There are people who would argue that sound clips have no value because there are too many variables involved in the process of creating a clip, but at least a clip shows at least one possible outcome from using a particular piece of gear. To me that's at least a small step above a bunch of opinion/B.S. posted on a thread.

Best Regards,

Mike.

Thanks!
I just finished reading that mondo "gear everyone hates" thread and someone noticed a trend that I, too, was noticing. People either love the Royer sound on cabs and hate the 57, or love the 57 and hate the Royer. I personally dont love either the ribbon sound (yet) or the 57(never have)... but the better attributes of both could be pretty incredible if blended well. Soooo... I'm going to attempt getting both in phase and going from there and seeing what a blend will do. The ribbon smoothness, with some 57 bite. Might work out.

I hve a new technique I'll be trying too, using an X-amp to reamp D.I.'ed tracks and doing it over and over again but swapping out heads for each pass. Many different flavors all rolled into one take basically. It'll work. Or it wont. I guess I'll see. Its costing me a small fortune to find out though.

[PoorGlory]

Originally Posted by mdsmith64

tubedude,

I think you did a great job and I personally like the tone...a lot. To my ears, it sounds smooth and warm and three dimensional. Thanks for taking the time to do this for the forum. I, for one, appreciate it. In fact, my personal feeling is that this board could use more examples like this. There are people who would argue that sound clips have no value because there are too many variables involved in the process of creating a clip, but at least a clip shows at least one possible outcome from using a particular piece of gear. To me that's at least a small step above a bunch of opinion/B.S. posted on a thread.

Best Regards,

Mike.

Absolutely. In fact, that sound clip is making me want to go out and get a Shinybox...

[fonman]

You referenced several clips, but I only see one posted. Are you going to post the others ?

[Cap'n Spanky]

Sample number 1 sounds really great to me and I'm a Fender guy. Nice work!

[cdog]

The drum programming is horrible but the guitar tone is sweet!

Get a real drummer and it will be rocking!

[tubedude]

Originally Posted by fonman

You referenced several clips, but I only see one posted. Are you going to post the others ?

I'm going to post others when I can get time to upload them. This one took me like 40 minutes I think. Yeah, that sucks.

Sample number 1 sounds really great to me and I'm a Fender guy. Nice work!

Thanks! Considering there was no setup other than putting the mic dead center about a foot or so back, this is pretty good feedback indeed.

[tubedude]

Originally Posted by cdog

The drum programming is horrible but the guitar tone is sweet!

Get a real drummer and it will be rocking!

Ha the programming wasnt meant to be good, it was meant to be fast, easy, keep me in time, and give somewhat of a mix perspective for the guitars, which are the focus. I think I spent 2 minutes on it, and 3 minutes writing the riff and memorizing where I change it at.

[6strings]

Got a Fender amp kickin' around by chance? I hear they really take well to ribbons.

[Tom H]

I think it sounds really good... but also very "produced".

Could you perhaps post a short snippet with just the guitar? no processing, doubling, drums, synthbass etc. All that sort of distracts from the mic, i'm realy curious how it sounds on it own.

Cheers!

[TheArchitect]

I wouldn't add any top end to that unless other elements were added that mandate it. WAY to much high end on anything is my biggest peeve. LDC with big top end boosts in particular are annoying.

[tubedude]

Originally Posted by Tommylicious

I think it sounds really good... but also very "produced".

Could you perhaps post a short snippet with just the guitar? no processing, doubling, drums, synthbass etc. All that sort of distracts from the mic, i'm realy curious how it sounds on it own.

Cheers!

It cracks me up that you say it sounds "very produced" because I did nothing but toss a mic on the center of the cone, twist a dail or two on the amp, and record it. The most fuss-less guitar sound I've ever tried to get. There is no processing of any sort, its cab to mic to preamp to conversion, one take left, one take right. You could probably just listen to one side and get a better idea of the sound closer to alone.
If it sounds that decent to you guys, its cant be bad. I'm liking the mic a lot for $250 in its sheer simplicity of getting a usable tone. I'll have it next to some other ribbons tomorrow afternoon and I'll attempt to get some samples to post.

I will post a single guitar from that same little test above tomorrow or saturday and you can hear it all alone. I think thats the wrong way to hear it though. Hearing it in the mix is the telltale to me.

This mic just might rock.

[tubedude]

Originally Posted by TheArchitect

I wouldn't add any top end to that unless other elements were added that mandate it. WAY to much high end on anything is my biggest peeve. LDC with big top end boosts in particular are annoying.

I have such a hard time resisting that urge though. Thing is, if I dropped the guitar levels a little, added some very very high top but not too much, the vocals would probably sit right in that without a problem at all. So much stuff these days has this bright assed middle to make it aggresive though. Its a battle. I cant wait to try this mic in a real situation. Soon. Soon.


6string- no fender sorry. Not my bag

[Theo Desktop]

I think it sounds really good. Definitely a warm round tone. I'm curious if you've had a chance to try it on acoustic guitar. Thanks for taking time to do this.

Theo

[aussie_techie]

sounds good but needs a reference
its impossible to judge a mic without knowing what the origional sounded like or a reference to a mic you know. can you record a short snipert of just guitar with the SB and a 57?

[tubedude]

I certainly will, but I've packed the mic up for its trip to Nashville this morning. I'm very excited to be making this trip today.
Much more info on this mic, and maybe some chime in from Wagener too, when I get back.
See you guys saturday!

[Tom H]

Originally Posted by tubedude

It cracks me up that you say it sounds "very produced" because I did nothing but toss a mic on the center of the cone, twist a dail or two on the amp, and record it.

Seems like you have talent!

Thanks for posting the files, have a fun trip!