Great River is to preamp as ____ is to ribbon mic

[wilkinswp]

When I first started buying some gear, everyone mentioned that I couldn't go wrong with the GR MP-2NV. And you and others were right.

I'm looking to try some ribbons--and I know I'll need to hear them for myself--but what would you suggest is the Great River of ribbons? R121, R84, 4038?

I'm looking for a workhorse. Looking to avoid problems with sibilance and hyped, brittle highs. Most of my recordings seem too high-fi and defined--of course, this is fine for some stuff. I know other factors play a role in making something sound overly clean and high-fi, but I'm thinking a ribbon might help me add a new flavor to my recordings. Probably mainly will use for acoustic guit, but would like it to be appropriate for other sources.

[Jason Poulin]

I use a pair of R84's with the Mp2-NV.


some of the best sounds I've had!


Jason

[I Lurk]

Originally Posted by wilkinswp

what would you suggest is the Great River of ribbons?

What a strange question

[Seamus TM]

From what I can tell of the GR stuff, it's a great utility piece. Good on a wide variety of stuff.

If that is the basis of the question, then AEA R84.

[joelpatterson]

Originally Posted by wilkinswp

... what would you suggest is the Great River of ribbons?

Um... I'd suggest looking for the Good Ship Lollipop and starting there.

[picksail]

I have both the Great River and the AEA R84s. Both are superb, yet together are a bit dark for me.

[Acoustic Cloud]

What is the John Hardy of ribbons?!?!

[chrispick]

Folks, he's asking for recommendations regarding a good, utilitarian ribbon mic -- one that'll work adequately or better on numerous sources. That's all.

He only used the GR reference because he's found that pre to be a good, utilitarian pre.

I don't have enough experiences with ribbon mics to offer any advice, but surely someone here must.

[Jason Poulin]

Originally Posted by picksail

I have both the Great River and the AEA R84s. Both are superb, yet together are a bit dark for me.

yes, dark is exactly it.



sometimes what it needs.


also, it takes high end eq'ing very well.


Jason

[DeepSpace]

One way of looking at it is that the Great River pre is a modern design loosely based on classic preamps from Neve, but purporting to take advantage of some more contemporary circuit innovations.

To find a ribbon mic that is a parallel for the GR in this sense, one would probably have to look beyond the R84 which, though a great mic in itself, seems to me to be a fairly faithful reproduction of the classic RCA ribbon technologies, rather than a new approach.

In that respect, the Royer R121 is probably a better fit. It puts a more modern spin on the classic ribbon concept. Whilst I wouldn't have particularly thought to promote the 121 as the GR of ribbons, you could look at it that way.

[wilkinswp]

Thanks for the replies folks. Yep, just looking for a good place to start with ribbons. The Great River was a great place to start with high-end pres. Don't necessarily have to use the GR and the ribbon together.

Anyone else with perspective. . . throw it out here. Thanks!

[warhead]

Ribbon mic that sounds good on tons of stuff:

AEA R84

The R84 is such a nicely balanced ribbon, and the rear of the mic is plenty detailed in the top end for acoustic guitar sounds. Very forgiving mic also, as it takes EQ so well.

If you don't expect it to sound like a condensor mic, I believe you will love it.

War

[NathanEldred]

I would say the Great River is to preamps, as the Royer SF-1 is to ribbons. It's not the R84, well, just because the midrange is very different (in any way it's possible to compare this analogy that is).

Originally Posted by wilkinswp

I'm looking for a workhorse. Looking to avoid problems with sibilance and hyped, brittle highs. Most of my recordings seem too high-fi and defined--of course, this is fine for some stuff. I know other factors play a role in making something sound overly clean and high-fi, but I'm thinking a ribbon might help me add a new flavor to my recordings. Probably mainly will use for acoustic guit, but would like it to be appropriate for other sources.

The Royer SF-1 fits this description, but so does the AEA R84 IMHO.

[Toad]

What!?! Great River's gonna make a ribbon microphone?!?!?!

[not_so_new]

Originally Posted by Toad

What!?! Great River's gonna make a ribbon microphone?!?!?!

That is a joke right? I didn't see a so I wanted to check. Just don't want to see any rumors get started.

[billgennaro]

have any of you guys tried the crowley & tripp ribbons? i got a vocalist this past week and so far its kicking my ass on vocals and acoustic guitars. blew my r92 away.

bill

[MasterTrax]

I'll be different and suggest something not yet mentioned.....how about a Beyer M160 and M130? The pair can be had new for around 1200 USD. With the GR preamps it's a knockout combination.

Beyer mics don't get enough of the limelight here....but they do in my studio

[Doc Mixwell]

Originally Posted by wilkinswp

When I first started buying some gear, everyone mentioned that I couldn't go wrong with the GR MP-2NV. And you and others were right.

I'm looking to try some ribbons--and I know I'll need to hear them for myself--but what would you suggest is the Great River of ribbons? R121, R84, 4038?

I'm looking for a workhorse. Looking to avoid problems with sibilance and hyped, brittle highs. Most of my recordings seem too high-fi and defined--of course, this is fine for some stuff. I know other factors play a role in making something sound overly clean and high-fi, but I'm thinking a ribbon might help me add a new flavor to my recordings. Probably mainly will use for acoustic guit, but would like it to be appropriate for other sources.

[seansolo]

oooohh how much are those going for on the GS hookup, Adam?

[Doc Mixwell]

Originally Posted by seansolo

oooohh how much are those going for on the GS hookup, Adam?

Currently, there are only ten original stainless units left in the world, [no more black units are available] The price is $2750 EA USD, and they are only excepted to increase in value. I would get in now, as they will not be available after these units are sold.

[rwhitney]

I don't have experience with many other ribbon mics, but the Coles 4040 has been very versatile, and work great on voice, guitars, sitar, brass, sax, strings, percussion. I don't like them on piano as compared to condensers, and I prefer the R-121 on electric guitar cab. It's not as "dark" as the Royer R-121. Definitely worth checking out.

[Teddy Ray]

Originally Posted by chrispick

Folks, he's asking for recommendations regarding a good, utilitarian ribbon mic -- one that'll work adequately or better on numerous sources. That's all.

He only used the GR reference because he's found that pre to be a good, utilitarian pre.

I don't have enough experiences with ribbon mics to offer any advice, but surely someone here must.

Beyer m130 or 160. workhorse. rugged. great.

[Fletcher]

The 4040 is a seriously bad assed whammer jammer... not quite an "el diablo" but certainly easier to obtain [though they won't be increasing in value like the "el diablo" certainly will over the next I don't know how many years].

Peace.

[Bassmankr]

Why go with a "one size fits all" strategy (we sure don't do it with dynamics or tubes)? Aren't ribbons cheap enough even after a Micheal Jolly mod to get two/three that are more task specific?

[Barish]

Originally Posted by Fletcher

The 4040 is a seriously bad assed whammer jammer... not quite an "el diablo" but certainly easier to obtain [though they won't be increasing in value like the "el diablo" certainly will over the next I don't know how many years].

Peace.

Now that Shure has bought out the entire Crowley & Tripp catalog, I expect their future lines to be as limited as SM58 Special Edition.

B.

[SANDS]

How about a Cascade Fathead? They are sweet mics and very affordable. got a chance to use the orginal I think, not sure if it had the transformer upgrade or not, either way it was kick a$$. Used it on e guitar cab, not sure what you are looking to use it for, but it worked for me on that application.

[sunflute]

I have tried the AEA R84, the Royer SF-1 and the Crowley & Tripp Proscenium and IMHO the Proscenium is one of the most balanced and accurate ribbon microphones out there. I am really Glad I still have mine, since like many have said here they will go up in price as time goes by.

Peace,
Marco

[smartalek]

Maybe i missed it, but is the production stopping on the "el diablo"???

::

Originally Posted by Fletcher

The 4040 is a seriously bad assed whammer jammer... not quite an "el diablo" but certainly easier to obtain [though they won't be increasing in value like the "el diablo" certainly will over the next I don't know how many years].

Peace.

[My Tiny Circus]

I like the R84. I use the AEA TRP. It solved all my female vocal sibilance problems and sounds smooth and natural but you need decent sounding room. Like my GR it's a solid piece of kit that I use often and never regret buying.