Ribbon mic pair output discrepancy

[dallasdon]

I just bought a Groove Tubes Velo8 ribbon mic off the 'bay, to use along with the one I bought new a couple years ago for drum overheads, piano, etc.

Trouble is, the one I just got has a noticeably lower output, by about 5.5db. Rather significant. They sound about the same, but the difference in output makes for some fairly noticeable differences, esp. in the noise floor.

I'm just wondering if this is common with two of the same mic having such a big difference in output. Or maybe there's a problem with the one I just got?

Incredibly, the guy who sent it to me didn't bother actually putting the mic in the foam-lined protective case - it was just tossed in the cardboard box to roll around! Cosmetically, the mic looks unused, but maybe the ribbon was damaged in shipping?

[edva]

One cool thing about the Velo 8 is that they originally came with a spare ribbon. Did yours?

[dallasdon]

Yes, I actually have 2 spare ribbons now. Is that the sort of problem a bad/damaged ribbon might cause - lower output?

[edva]

Yes, IMHO.

[ShinyBox]

Could be a loose clamp.

I'd open it up and take a look at the ribbon, if it looks fine, tighten the clamps ( carefully).

If it has a big sag in it or a tear, you'll know what the spare ribbon is for


ju

[dallasdon]

I've never opened up one of my mics before, but Groove Tubes provided very clear instructions on replacing the ribbon. I'll check the clamp first, though.
Thanks, guys.