Anybody got the skinny on this new ribbon?

I hear it's gonna List at about $1000, but no word on a release date.

Looks like an old RCA BK-5 to me. I've been asking about this as well lately and it seems we are all getting the same answer. Nothing.

i do believe that's what it's designed afer. BK5As are some of my favorite guitar amp microphones.

I wonder if it will be voiced brighter. I have never used a BK-5 but have heard they are a dark sounding mic, for a ribbon. I've been wanting a new ribbon mic lately (directional is even better) so this one has me interested. I've been looking at the Beyer M160 which I have used before and C&T Naked Eye as well.

I have been on the hunt for a ribbon as I feel that is a hole in my collection. The Crowley and Tripp Naked Eye looks very interesting, for build quality and value. The problem is I can't find an audio sample of it other than one that I suspect is just a bad recording. It seems to get decent reviews and praises by most here on the forum. The other ribbon that has me breathing hot and heavy is the Sontronics Sigma. Oh, the decisions..... Then I read about this Telefunken, I wish I could hear clips of all together. Maybe I should get the ribbon roundup CD from Lynn Fuston. Nah, that would be too smart.

you need to come to terms with the fact that listening to "audio samples" of microphones is, in essence, the biggest crock of **** of all time.

you have no idea what the source sounded like, what the room sounds like, or if additional processing was added (even if the person distributing said "samples" says there was none).

get the mic in your room, in front of something you can hear before it gets recorded. if you'd like to hear a naked eye, call up mercenary. if you've got a credit card, they'll send you one to use in your studio. if you don't like it, you can send it back and try something else.

I'm not sure who else has heard the Telefunken in a studio, much less had the chance of comparing it with other ribbons, but I did get to spend a half hour or so with it. I was very impressed.

The reason that you're not hearing about it, I suspect, is that it's not finished yet. There were three on display at AES in different finishes (they haven't even decided on which one to make) and we had two of them in Nashville for a Telefunken listening party back in November at Dave Martin's JavaJive studio. Below is a picture from that event.

They are finishing up the design. "They" meaning Jerry DeSilvia, a ribbon afficionado who has come up with this design, patterned after the BK-5. It will be badged Telefunken even though it's not a Telefunken (then or now) design. What else is new?

It sounds very good, regardless of the fact that it is cardioid. During this session (which was not mine), we put up all the mics you see (and added a Naked Eye to the lineup after this picture was taken) and compared them on upright bass. We did a fast calibration (peaks within 1.2 dB, all on the same performance) and then listened. For this solo upright bass through this preamp (all were through Great River MP2NVs) on this day in this room, the Telefunken sounded great. Easily the best or second best depending on who you asked.

Again, this was quick but very informative. Not only to me but the Telefunken guys who were there as well (Toni, Alan and several others). I gave them a few suggestions. We compared output levels with other common ribbon mics. They want to get more gain out of the transformer, possibly tailor the FR a bit more, but based on what I heard I encouraged them not to stray too far from what I was hearing now. As with most ribbons, it was far from flat but it sounded great.

Hopefully they'll be in touch with me about their progress since I'm very excited about getting one to add to my ribbon collection.

The mics below are (l-r) Tele RM, R84, Dave Martin's 77DX, Tele 47, R-122. Naked Eye not pictured. Photo courtesy of Alan at Telefunken US.

Thanks Lynn, as that info is encouraging that the final product is not too far off. Spring I am guessing. As far as colour, who cares as long as it sounds good. That thing could end up being neon pink and if it sounds great, I'll still buy one.

Thanks Lynn, very informative. Can you give your two cents when comparing the Telefunken and the Naked Eye...likes, dislikes, etc.

In this situation, I was more impressed with the Tele than the Naked Eye.

I will be getting copies of the sound files soon and may post them at my site for 3D VIPs to listen to. After I listen to them here, I'll know more.

Also, Alan from Telefunken just informed me that they hope to have the first dozen ready this week.

Thanks again Lynn

Any news on these puppies yet?

I'm sitting in the control room and it's set up on double bass for the orchestra session that starts in about 30 minutes.

Here's some info and sound clips from previous sessions.

http://www.3daudioinc.com/3db/showth...efunken+ribbon

Cool Lynn, report back when you've finished, ta. Any ideas when they'll be available?

Telefunken | USA Ships New Ribbon Mic | Mix magazine reports on the new RM-5C ribbon microphone

I would think anyday you should be able to find one, if the article is correct.

Here is the list of dealers that may be helpful:

Telefunken USA | Dealers

For the folk in Australia and NZ, we'll have them available in about a week.
I'm curious myself to know how they sound.

Cool, 'cause i want a pair right now!

The RM-5C is indeed shipping. In fact, we have shipped out quite a few of them. Keep in mind that it is not your traditional ribbon. It is designed to be more open sounding than most ribbon mics out there, handle transients well (and I don't mean by swirving to hit them on the side of the road heh ), and not sound overly puffy or bloated. Basically, it's a more "aggressive" sounding ribbon than most people are used to. If anyone has any other questions about it, feel free to ask them and I will respond as quickly as I can.

Have you tried or heard the RM-5C on electric guitars?

Ever compare it to a Beyer M160 which is another cardioid ribbon?

I have used it on electric guitars. In fact, I used it this past weekend on an original Fender Princeton amp. That in combination with a Sennheiser e906 set to the "flat" position. The RM-5C seemed to capture the glassiness (in a good way) of the Fender Princeton better than the 906 did. When it was combined with the 906, it added a just the right amount of depth to the guitar. Next weekend, I have another guitar session scheduled. I will be tracking distorted electric guitar through a few different types of amps with the RM-5C. I'll report back after that.

Unfortunately, I haven't done a side by side comparison with the M160. However, from my experience with the M160, they are VERY different. The RM-5C is more open and aggressive sounding than the M160, but neither one is more useful than the other.

Thanks. I think the 160 is more open sounding than most the ribbons I've used (without EQ) so comments on the RM-5C being "condenser like" seems to be ringing true I guess. I would like to try an RM-5C out someday.

Did you go with this finish?
<a href="http://photobucket.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b30/14lunabeach/telefunkenmiccrop.jpg" border="0" alt="Photo Sharing and Video Hosting at Photobucket"></a>
I hope so...its HOTTTTTTTTT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
What's the price?

Wow it looks like on of the robots from "transformers"
Awesome design work.

What's the spl handling on it? Can it safely be used for an e. bass amp, or F.O.K?

What's the sensitivity of it?

How much?

Sorry to disappoint you, but no it's not that finish (though it would have been pretty cool). Price wise, you're going to be looking at $1,495.00. It ships with a shockmount, wooden box, and a foam windscreen. Here is a new picture of the mic. It is actually the same finish as the AK47, which is a texted black finish called "crinkle coat." Here is an updated picture of the RM-5C along with a picture of the finish.

edit: If someone were to want a satin finished version, I might be able to arrange that.

160dB

Yes.

I am not sure. I haven't tried it yet, but maybe. I know that it can be safely used on congas, if that helps at all.

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See above post...

THANK YOU!

very informative post!

No problem

I could probably do some more searching but when/why was this discontinued? Saw one on ebay I was thinking about picking up, I guess I should be reading more into it any way.