How To Make a DIY Ribbon Mic!

[@curtvincent3728]

OK, I can't believe I am the only person in the world who appreciates this video! I saw it 5 years ago, 3 years ago and then reviewed all ribbon mic videos on youtube during this year's vacation. I still think this video demonstrates the greatest attention to detail on construction. Well done! I hope to post one with ribbon tuning and resonant frequency. I will reference this excellent video as prior art!

[@lugarcia616]

Nice reveal at the end ;-). Great video.

[@randypreston9377]

Instablaster

[@curtvincent3728]

I think you did an outstanding job demonstrating that ribbon mics are simple and components are relatively cheap, yet the sound is all about skill of the builder with attention to detail. Well done! Thanks you for doing this!

[@FreddysFrets]

At the 5:37 mark the ribbon is clamped in. It's done with a small strips of fibreglass PC board material and two bolts on each end.

[@martynasvil]

omg what a twist at the end haha ! love the vid

[@yony_music]

Yeah, it is crazy how good it sounds!

[@frederickbouchard4632]

so cool... I'm guessing the quality of the materials and precise construction, reflects the quality of the sound... sounds Great...

[@alvinchallen7621]

you are a true artist; an art is a science with more than seven variables!!!!absolutely perfect!!!

[@das250250]

Your a genius with your mind and hands ... and a giant with your generosity in sharing your talents

[@michaelgamble296]

Thank you Freddy for this detailed manufacturing explanation! I noticed an important part was not referred to - the glass of Labatts Blue. I dig your ingenious 'crinkler' for the ribbon - great! You touched on and fully explained all aspects of the project - but was surprised you didn't use an f.e.t. amp. Presumably with a 1:37 step-up Xfmr this isn't necessary - and neither is phantom power! I admire your craftmanship and your voice-over explanation. To mis-quote Oscar Wilde: "To make one ribbon mic is splendid - to make two looks like sheer Stereo" Many thanks for this video!!

[@noone-t8y]

Great DIY work! Nice job!

[@BEEFBRSKT]

That is a nice sounding mic

[@FreddysFrets]

+Declan Duff Thanks for the comment!

[@BEEFBRSKT]

sell me one for really cheap please

[@FreddysFrets]

+Declan Duff haha....make it yourself....I know of a youtube video that shows you how!

[@BEEFBRSKT]

+FreddysFrets touchè im not so good at crafting stuff though, unless it involves a guitar

[@ktommycary]

Your planning and design are wonderfully impressive, as well as the video itself. I'm partway through building a similar mic and am so glad I ran into your video. I happened to do several bits the same, right down to the notches in the plexiglass but you've taken some of the scare out of laying in the ribbon. Now I'm ready to proceed. Many thanks.

[@FreddysFrets]

It's a ribbon mic. They require no power. But you do need a mic preamp with lots of clean gain because ribbons typically have a very low output.

[@DiegoMoralesOficial]

22 dB Clean

[@_gheo]

And that's why transformers are so important ❤️

[@seasonedtoker]

I just knew when video was coming to an end that freddy recorded all the audio with it. man your designs are so smooth and clean. just love it! this video deserves a double like

[@SENTINELREPORT]

Wow ! I'm amazed and impressed ! How about a smaller stereo ribbon mic for D5100.... mmmm wonder would that work ?

[@wigon]

That was absolutely amazing. I imagine that the mic tensioning bit requires some trial and error for those not experienced making these. I doubt I could make one as good as yours, but I know I have some old broken mics that I may attempt experimenting with as this definitely looks like a very fun and doable project even for a beginner.

[@FreddysFrets]

Thanks. The mic pre was the only other thing in the chain before it hit the A/D conversion. And that was a tube mic pre that I built, I have a video of it here on my channel...the "VP8"

[@FreddysFrets]

I tuned the ribbon tension using a frequency generator. Resonance target = 30hz.

[@Pinko_Band]

Oh dude, you gotta make a vid showing us how you did that! Puh puh pleeeeeease? lol I know this was 4 years ago, and I'll scan your vids for something like that if you've already made one, but if not, I think a lot of folks would get a kick out of learning from it! I love this stuff!

[@davidparnell1893]

Wow...I love the "O'Henry" ending. So cool. An amazing video by an obvious inventor of skill and promise.

[@WIllyGilly321]

That's one serious DIY. Looks like you have accumulated a lot of helpful tools along your journey. Although I'm not listening with a pro set of speakers; that sounded great to me; perhaps a bit light on the highs, but hard to tell with just spoken words. I would have enjoyed listen to is compared to other mics. I've been experimenting with the 25 cent Electret Microphones, they are so sensitive it's scary! They pick up my voice across the room whispering.

[@thunderbolt997]

didnt expect it to sound that good!

[@vicdmise]

Fascinating build and a beautifully well-crafted mic. Nicely done. Excellent fit and finish and good warm tone. Didn't see a lot of electrical measurement, but I'd find it hard to believe this your first ribbon mic build and that you eyeballed it.

[@FreddysFrets]

I have heard that metal film from capacitors will work but I guess it depends on how thick it is.

[@TomboLP]

Yes! Me too...about a minute before, I thought "wouldn't it be cool if..." and then, knowing Freddy, figured that he'd do it that way. Awesome vid and great sound from the mic. Freddy, you keep telling people that you're no genius, but then prove yourself a liar by doing such amazing work all the time!

[@HowardEllisonUKVoice]

You are beyond clever! The design, skill in making and the quality of the explanation. AND you play guitar.

[@kronier]

What a great sounding mic, and absolutely beautiful craftsmanship. Although this isn't really DIY - with the tools and skill you have, you might as well be a manufacturer lol.

[@tajosound4837]

sounds very good! I wonder how would it sound with different spacing and/or materials. Thanks for the video.

[@FreddysFrets]

Thanks! You could try reranch spray cans. I use them sometimes and you can get totally pro results with them.

[@Metalshad0]

It's a downright beautiful and caring build! And your Twist At the end Makes the Video all the more worthwhile

[@paulcantshutup]

What else is in your signal chain, sir? This is an impressive build, and the sound of the mic is wonderfully clean. Usually when I think "ribbon", I think "dark"; that doesn't seem the case with your mic at all. Well done.

[@uniukuyu1295]

"I tuned the ribbon tension using a frequency generator. Resonance target = 30hz." Could you please explain that a bit more?

[@willb3698]

obvs the answer is "no".

[@billbradleymusic]

Set a tone generator, tighten the foil to raise, or loosen it up to lower tone. Try and match the tone generator. Be careful to not touch the foil to the magnets while plugged in. Seems like a process. Plug in, check, unplug, tighten, plug in test etc.

[@gavabundo_0072]

The human ear can only detect from 20hz to 20,000hz sounds. By tuning it to this frequency, i think... I THINK... it leaves some "breathing room" for the mic to give reasonable voltage output at low frequency, which is of course 20hz.

[@misztal2112]

Neodymium magnets are always fun, I have a couple 1x1x1 cubes that I can barely separate. How does the strength of the magnets affect the sound of a mic like this?

[@atheistsermons]

Awesome! This video had a better twist than MIB3.

[@curtvincent3728]

This is really brilliant! Well done! And the video itself was perfect!

[@FreddysFrets]

+Curt Vincent Thanks for the comment!

[@riddlesgun]

Nice instructional video. Concise and well done. Microphone sounds great.

[@RocknRollkat]

Excellent presentation, fun to watch ! I made a ribbon mic. like this back in the early 1970s I used transistor radio output transformer, 3.2 ohms into 500 ohms, it worked great ! Bill P.

[@Chilldude579]

Hey, I assume the magnets are there to generate a magnetic field, instead of hoping on luck that the ribbon doesn't touch the magnets, (which since it's coregated, if it sags over time I'd imagine it has a good chance of touching) could you use a thin piece of paper to insulate the magnets? What would it sound like?

[@gamergrant99]

That was probably the best thing iv'e seen all week.

[@sheldondlima5881]

Hi...awesome video, I had a mike i broke and your video inspired me to go redo/repair my microphone, however i'm having difficulty finding the Aluminium sheet. Any help you can render me there???

[@giulioluzzardi7632]

Fantastic mate ! I am going to try and build one.The reason is I had a really old RCA mic , the ribbon looked like silk ? I really want that tone again.The old rca got sold and then given to a pop star.

[@shaddoty]

I was listening to this on my DIY Ribbon tweeter

[@chrisw7188]

does it matter how many "ripples" are in between the ribbon holders? and how does it affect the sound captured?

[@TeleVisionSystem]

Excellent. I thank you very much. I thnk I will make the support in plywood, because the Plexiglass here costs a fortune. May I ask you also where to find the Alu leaf please?

[@perfuzz]

Nice video! Is the microphone phantom safe, or is the ribbon fried by the 48 volts?

[@otoniels]

Man.! This is awesome.! The mic sounds very nice, with presence and bright, nice middles and very clear voice and not humming

[@DeadKoby]

Making stuff is always cool.... and satisfying.

[@johnyradio2]

One of the best tutes i've seen, for a sophisticated device. Well done!

[@frequencymanipulator]

The home made cogs to crinkle the ribbon is mindblowing. How do you judge the tension? Thanks for such an inspiring video.

[@Ballad113]

Great video! What kind of wire / gauge do you use to wire the transformer? Thanks!

[@Moses_Kanneh]

Man, you kinda blew my mind. I was thinking the whole time during this video, "what will it sound like? What would it sound like on an acoustic guitar? nice job.

[@ReasonpTv]

really dope build! Where did you purchase the mic transformer from and is their a schematic for wiring everything up? what was the thickness of the plexiglass?

[@TinkerInTheShop]

Great video. The sound quality is actually very, very nice. Nice rounded tone that's not too bass mid or high heavy. Do you recommend any particular videos that show how to make this in a little more detail? thanks.

[@azurplex]

I got the same build plans called AUSTIN Ribbon Microphone from rick wilkinson (rickshawrecords at yahoo) years ago. It's a fun build with some challenges. Namely, your own breath when working with the aluminum leaf. I had to pull my shirt up over my nose for that step until I had the motor safely installed in the housing. Pop filters ar critical to keep from blowing out the ribbon. Back then, donor bodies were harder to come by, so the plans described the entire build including the body made from brass pipe, cap and brass mesh. Fastening the motor needed brass screws to stop the risk of having the screw pulled into the motor during assembly by those strong magnets. Also other ferrus metals in the body may affect the magnetic field and possibly color the sound. Nice build.

[@michaelgamble296]

Good point about the brass screws!!

[@bertklotentjes481]

Great vid! It sounds like the mic has a very natural and flat frequency response.

[@miketype1each]

Had a feeling that the end would be as I suspected. Good work!

[@BadChizzle]

Super job, man! I had a feeling you were going to say it was the mic you were using. Ha! Niiiice! Sounds very good. I should add that you voice over chops are really good as well.

[@jorgiewtf]

Dude! You’re the plot-twist king! Great video man!

[@ricksalt6860]

I have 2 Apex 210's , they really are crap . The ribbon is not even corrugated , the magnets have a chrome plating on them and on both mics the chrome has peeled . I cleaned off the chrome and used tape to try and get the magnetic filings off . I was going to get some foil and try some 4u foil or maybe 1.8u. QUESTION : is it worth trying with the magnets all grey ceramic and no smooth covering ?

[@GlitchComputer]

Hey Freddy! how did you figure out what tension works best for you? Did you have to tune it to some specs or..? thank you!

[@enderpea5251]

Wow! The video recordings from the actual mic? It's great quality! I thought it was a condenser mic or something!

[@archivestereo]

This is so cool! I love ribbon mics and yours sounds amazing. And this is just fun to watch!

[@rickyarte]

dear, congratulations how are you? good job, where can i find the components to built? included the ribbon? i´m a home enthusiastic, i have no experience and industrial engines, could i do? please clear me where can i find this ribbon tape or improvise a one, thanks!

[@MrGianfra93]

Nice video! thanks! ,, I wonder, what would happen if the ribbon is touching the magnet? it wont have any sound at all?

[@Hypaslap]

This is really good man, 10/10.. Can i ask if you did any post production on the recording though? I listened back through my DT150's and the mic sounds a little squashed and slightly distorted. wondered if that that compression or anything?

[@FreddysFrets]

Thanks Guy! Post? I can't remember exactly but no doubt I EQed and compressed.

[@Hypaslap]

I think I'm going to get one built :) might be pretty nice for recording my acoustic. Also going to build a nice condenser, would be great if you stuck u a tut for condenser building.

[@Meteotrance]

a good transformer like the Lundahl you used is realy the key of good sound, it's suppres all the noise, Cinemag also do good transformer for that kind, we can also found good 3D print stuff for making the magnet support, im thinking about doing myself that kind of mic.

[@NDawg2112]

This is so awesome! Been watching your vids for a while now and am always blown away by your seeminly endless talents! Lol. I have a question about painting guitars (maybe irrelevant to this particular vid but alas) I'm actually trying to build a replica of Alex's red strat from the Distant Early Warning vid. Got the floyd and everything. I was wondering what the best type of paint to use? (relatively cheap and easy way being a poor college student) Thanks and keep up the amazing work!

[@chickenlickin3820]

wow its bloomin' amazing sounding i'm very surprised at the outcome, well done brother!

[@rafirafal]

can larger magnets be used? 100x10x10mm Will the performance be good?

[@rennovattio7818]

Curious; why not mill a couple of protruding 'stops' in the ends of your plexi to help keep the magnets spaced apart?

[@francescoaltieri9157]

HI, could you post links to to buy tools to corrugate alluminium strip, and others elements eg. aluminium paper, magnets ect.?

[@FreddysFrets]

Graham, you are very kind with your comment. Thank you!

[@HeadfirstHumanity]

Woa, the twist at the end was great haha and I'm loving the Rush Sector box set in the background ;)

[@uniukuyu1295]

one more question... Do the magnets have to be straight or could you use curved magnets like scrapped ones from inside an old hard drive? Obviously the magnet holder would have to be different.

[@michaelgamble296]

I dare say you could simply attach a couple of ex-HDD magnets to the polar pieces for those are high Gauss magnets

[@ChrisEbbrsen]

You should get a Nobel piece prize! Wow! What an accomplishment! Is that Reynolds wrap? Or a special aluminum foil? You have inspired me! To make one myself! I don't know if I will follow through with it but I'm thinking about it. Enormously good sound! Wonderful! Thank you!😅

[@Sharpmusik]

Hello it is a great tutorial, I need some advice, I bought a Superlux R102 but it has differente sond from the front and the back, sensitivity is also different on both side. What could be happening? Thanks

[@NapoleanXV]

Out of curiosity, what keeps the ribbon in place?

[@llaneroloco1]

Oh man, that´s very, very good indeed. I only recently bought a pair of ribbon mics for my studio ( sE X1R) and got the best sound ever on my guitar amps (Fender HotRod Deluxe and Vox AC30) If I´d known you were making them I would have ordered them from you, hahaha! God Bless

[@ckillian]

Sweet job. I've modded cheap Nady RSM-1 and RSM-4 ribbon mics in a similar way and am very happy with the results.

[@rennovattio7818]

Also, could a thin piece of scotch tape be employed along the inside of the magnets as an insulator against the ribbon contacting metal, WITHOUT negatively affecting the sound quality & output level?

[@michaelgamble296]

Never use sellotape as a permanent integral part - the adhesive fails eventually!!

[@lbochtler]

I am impressed with the sound quality of this mic! Good work!

[@Real_Boye]

6:15 The what? What is that transformer exactly?

[@drnrqsldch]

OMG that's freaking mindblowing!! The moment when you say that we've been listening to the mic all the time… wow!! It sounds so good the voice just sounded pretty natural, I'd like to build one of those so hard :p but I don't have the tools to do that precise job :( is there any way to get the neodimium housing or any sort of DIY prebuilt kit? :p just wondering! Anyway very good job :)

[@stonedsavage7814]

What an incredible build and the plot twist at the end was amazing. Keep it up!

[@ChanonWangtrirat]

i used to thrilled when you said how it sound then you told me that the rest video use this as voice-over. Amazing!!!!

[@ruskreeder2434]

Excellent editing and presentation. No dead time.

[@AJBuckleybutnottheonefromcsi]

What a twist!

[@FreddysFrets]

The gap between the magnets is exactly 1/4". The ribbon is 7/32" wide.

[@markuslebt]

Hmm great idea will try...any idea what i could try for a trafo ?probly we have some copper wiring lieing around...this thing miht sound better than my 200 dollar rode nt1a...but first i gotta go out my famly has a garden party with bbq and steaks hehe...

[@matheusnews]

What's the difference, in sound, of condenser and ribbon microphones?

[@subhajyotisarkar349]

Lundhall transformer is not available in my country can you please give an alternative

[@dbq_custom_pickups]

great. what kind of magnet do you use? thanks

[@repload12]

Hi, I'm trying to build one of these for my CAD and fabrication class. I need to start sourcing my parts and I was wondering what kind of aluminum I need to make the ribbon, and where you got your transformer. Thanks for your time and the tutorial.

[@FreddysFrets]

+Nick Grace You're welcome Nick! The foil is from the Lebow company. You can use 1.8, 2.5 or 4 micron thick aluminum foil. The thinner the foil the better it sounds.... faster transients, more output and more high end. However, it's much, much more difficult to handle and work and more prone to damage from air blasts once the mic is assembled. The transformer is from K&K audio in the US. You can also use a Cinemag transformer. For a more economical transformer you can use an Edcor RMX1. Good luck and have fun!

[@321Racer1]

Well cool , how much such a microphone transformer ? This Quality is very Impressive

[@drnrqsldch]

so a simple XLR 3 pin connector would work just fine?

[@barrysands1970]

Great ability you have there and a very natural sounding mic at the end of it. Sounds as nice as my se1's, well played sir! Subscribed.

[@giacfoli]

Freddy, you never fail to impress me with your videos. I truly enjoyed this one. You should be hired to build gadgets for the next 007 movie....

[@алексейпетров-ф2р]

Where did you get this foil?

[@youazzags]

Excellent video - you've assumed your viewers have intelligence and pitched the level accordingly. This is better than today's science TV. Thank you!

[@MrSansara]

Good day from Russia! Agree with the others,awesome video, very impressed!! What can you say about transformer? Which one should i use? Or maybe i could do it myself?

[@FreddysFrets]

Thanks to everyone for the positive comments! I had a lot of fun with this project.