beyer m130 ribbon distorting??

[classicalrecord]

i've got a beyer m130 that i bought new last year and recently i have noticed that it sounds like it's distorting when put close to a high volume, low frequency source. However, not just any source fitting that criteria. For instance, just inches from a trombone bell it does fine, but put it a few inches from a small guitar amp and on low, louder chords it sounds like the mic is distorting. This also has happened when i put it in the crook of a grand piano pretty close to the strings-- lower, louder chords caused some kind of distortion. So, my question is this... has anyone else experienced this with this mic or is the ribbon already shot? Other than these strange distortions, the mic sounds fine/normal.
Any info or thoughts are greatly appreciated since I'm not really in the mood for a reribboning (unless I have to be).

[DanDan]

I have considerable experience with Beyer Ribbons. M160's 260's and 500.
They are very easily damaged. A single breath POP is enough to stretch or deform the ribbon. Perhaps even a door closing. Nowadays I always protect them in a freezer bag when idle and nearly always put a foam pop shield on when in use. Strangely a friend has played Flute into one for live shows for years with no grief, so there is no predicting. He always used a foam shield. I have have experienced that LF induced distortion on several occasions. A return to Beyer-reribbon is your only answer. Hopefully yours is under warranty.
DD

[classicalrecord]

hmmm, i certainly haven't abused mine by any stretch. it's never been sung into without a pop filter and i store it in a ziplock bag in my foam-lined mic briefcase. i guess i'll check into the warranty thing. i bought it from full compass last year so i figure that's about as legit as possible. (just to double check-- you think this is a sign that the ribbon has gotten a bit "funky," right?)
thanks for the help

[DanDan]

I'm afraid you have described exactly what I experienced. I suggest you test it by playing pure tone sine waves through a speaker. Mic it up, sweep the frequency and the problem should become obvious. I got two reribboned under warranty.
DD

[jackinthebox]

Originally Posted by DanDan

I have considerable experience with Beyer Ribbons. M160's 260's and 500.
They are very easily damaged. A single breath POP is enough to stretch or deform the ribbon. Perhaps even a door closing. Nowadays I always protect them in a freezer bag when idle and nearly always put a foam pop shield on when in use. Strangely a friend has played Flute into one for live shows for years with no grief, so there is no predicting. He always used a foam shield. I have have experienced that LF induced distortion on several occasions. A return to Beyer-reribbon is your only answer. Hopefully yours is under warranty.
DD

They don't reribbon these mics as it isn't cost effective. At least beyer don't as far as i know. I did get one replaced some years ago under waranty but not any more apparently. Basically they will replace the mic half price if it's under warranty (two years i think) unless you can prove the mic is faulty. I had a distortion problem with mine for a while and just got it replaced in the end. I have two now which are my favourite thing. I always had one before,. Having two is ten times better!thumbsupthumbsupthumbsup

[DanDan]

Beyer did fix three of my mics, two under warranty. If I recall correctly, some were UK, some were Germany. It was a considerable time ago but I can see no reason why they would not do repairs, or simply capsule replacement.
I can't see how anyone could attempt to sell a product without warranty/repair/replacement. Give them a call.
DD