How It's Made - ribbon microphone

Here's another excellent "How It's Made" episode showing the assembly of an AEA ribbon microphone. This mic is almost $4000.

[@SamichHunter]

They use brass for the grill and structure instead of stainless because brass is not magnetic and will not effect the sound of the mic. The plating is to keep the brass from corroding or tarnishing.

[@admniyeokuyorsun...3044]

Materials engineer here and stainless steel is not "ferromagnetic" although it have both nickel and iron in its composition. Just try it by trying to pull your knife or spoon with magnet.

[@kennethsrensen7706]

​@@admniyeokuyorsun...3044 Not quite true . Stainless steel is Not 100 percent safe /clean . While stainless steel is known for being corrosion resistant, strong, one quality that oftentimes comes into question is its magnetism. Is stainless steel magnetic ? The answer is that , some stainless steels are magnetic, while others are not. But one factor contribute to why you can't use it such as here . Steel alloys composed with a minimum of 10.5% chromium is classified as stainless. The chromium content attributes particular qualities to the steel , including exceptional corrosion resistance. This quality is what gives stainless its rust free status. It also allows steel to repair itself after being scratched or damaged , unlike plated steels which often become scratched , with those scratches leading to the eventual corrosion of the steel. whether or not stainless steel is magnetic comes down to the microstructure of the steel. Basic stainless steels have what’s known as a “ferritic” structure , which enables them to be magnetic . It’s the addition of chromium that leads to the ferritic structure . Chromium plus the addition of carbon hardens the steel and qualifies it as a martensitic steel . Stainless steel knives are typically martensitic. The problem with stainless steel is that during processing the permeability of austenitic steels can change . Cold work and welding are well known to increase the amount of martensite and ferrite respectively in the steel. For example a stainless steel sinks flat bottom has little magnetic response whereas the bowl has a higher response due to the formation of martensite particularly in the corners. This happen because of the preasure used to form the sink and it is typically done in what's known as ' cold ' mode . Back to the michrophone . In the video they show how they cold pressed the grill in the process of making it. This is exactely what creates smaller magnetic ' spot's ' , especially in all corners and the very same reason why stainless steel can not be used . This do not happen with brass so it's the prefered material . Also bear in mind that Stainless steel strings used on electric guitar for shure are capable of creating magnectic inductions in the guitars pickups . I have used many stainless steel strings ( especially to hopefully get rid of strings corroding because I live in a very humid climate where guitar strings have a very short life ) But I do NOT like the sound of them and especially NOT the feel in my fingers when I play them .... So I ended up back to the ones I have always used . Brass is the no 1 to use where you do NOT want anything to interfere with any magnetic field . It's also used on the mounting brackets of the guitars pickups too because of this . Another example is that you for shure would NEVER make a Grammophone Pickup's casing out of stanless steel ..... NEVER ... But brass is very commonly used in the better quality ones and for the cheaper they used plastic . Even ceramic was used too , but NEWER stanless steel . Same with Pickup Arms on turntables .... NEVER stainless steel .... Stainless steel have what is known as ' ferritic micro structure ' and by default is not magnetic , but in the processing of making the product it do change . All is because of the processing methods . Worst is as I told , welding and cold work ( such as pressing into a specific form and bending ect ) .

[@kennethsrensen7706]

You are absolutely right here and read my answer to @adımı niye okuyorsun... for hes ''' im a material engineer here '' responce . He clearcly do not know what he talking about .

[@birchthebirch4593]

​​@@kennethsrensen7706the materials engineer clearly doesn't know his field. Thanks for taking the time and this saving time for the rest of us

[@EnochLight]

This is the AEA R44C - Museum-Quality Reproduction version. Sells for $3780 at Sweetwater right now as a special order. An absolute work of art, and a must-have for an audiophile who can afford it.

[@searchiemusic]

delighted to have witnessed and used it in person for sure

[@moldyoldie7888]

To quote Igor from Young Frankenstein, "The price has gone up."

[@stevedichter2772]

Amazing the amount of hands on required for manufacture.

[@jimh3524]

Because that's exactly how the original RCA models were made? AEA apparently goes to great lengths to exactly replicate the sound of those old microphones, which I suppose requires that they duplicate them to as great an extent as possible.

[@monkeyxx]

The ribbon motor is explained in this video. Sound waves, in the form of a pressure gradient from the front and back of the mic, move the ribbon inside of the magnetic field, which generates a current. The signal is so small that, yes, the step-up transformer is wound to a very high ratio to adequately boost the signal before the mic cable. Even after this, ribbon microphones have the lowest output of any microphone type, compared to moving coil dynamics and condenser microphones.

[@DavidHill333]

Thanks for posting this video.

[@DivinityRoxx]

This video is so awesome! I'm glad it made it to me. I was literally looking at a tv show last night and Kamasi Washington was on stage with this huge mic and I was like, what mic is that? And Bam, here it is!

[@georgeblanchardjr]

I remember watching this episode.

[@hypnosiscenternyc]

I really enjoyed this video. Always wondered how a ribbon microphone worked, why is was so delicate, the size of the ribbon and why it has such a low output. Very well done. It's great seeing a product that is still handmade.

[@davidkennerly]

Thanks, Wes! You've explained it to me before, but seeing the process is terrific.

[@ozb8337]

Very cool! AEA Mics ROCK!

[@Godzillah]

Who would dislike this video?

[@bgjeffcoat]

+Rock&Roll I know right

[@TheWorldTeacher]

Or Neumann staff. ;)

[@PHELCAN]

I guess some people don't like microphones?.. I'm lost too.

[@Borriaudio]

It is kind of more of an alternator actually, It works by the pressure of sound in the air, vibrating the ribbon, the ribbon creates a very small AC current and the resistance of the ribbon is almost a short, therefore a transformer, biases the resistance to 50-250 ohms to work with a microphone pre-amplifier I own an original RCA 44-BX. I love the sound of it, it is smooth, clear, and natural sound, they used to call the ribbon material Duralium. the Frequency response is 20-20,000 cps.

[@moldyoldie7888]

A way to think of the bi-directional ribbon is a delay line differentiator, a concept used in video tape recorder playback circuits. But back to audio: the sound wave that hits the ribbon front sometime later hits the ribbon back, same intensity. The delay remains the same for any frequency. Both waves push on the ribbon, but cancellation isn't complete because of the delay. There is a net difference in pressure and therefore acceleration that doubles with every octave. But velocity, being the integral of acceleration, remains the same. So the generated voltage remains the same. The delay is controlled by the size of the pole pieces. But when the delay is the same as the wavelength of the sound, the output drops to zero. It's why a 44's frequency response is ~15kHz, and a relatively small & light 74B with its huge pole pieces is something like half that.

[@williamroark]

AEA 44!!! "CHECK"!!!! (Thank You Wes!!!!!) the most awesome mic EVER!!!!

[@larryatha3221]

This was great! I didn't know they had such large horseshoe magnets in this model microphone. Cool!

[@rillloudmother]

they feel almost as heavy as a transformer and are quite fragile, which is a weird combo.

[@ledfed1912]

these are cool, delicate but cool. Sound great.

[@RobertKeiser]

This mic is a work of art, and AEA's products sound as good as (or better than) they look!

[@GregNixon]

Wow! a tried and true method!

[@yourgen1891]

Nice video nice product well hand made.

[@YouTubestopsharingmyrealname]

That is a 3-4 Thousand dollar microphone!

[@monkeyxx]

"A sleek looking chrome-plated band hides the joint." I'm imagine Boris or some kind of hip psychedelic Japanese rock band being approached by authority and...hiding the spliff. Haha.

[@Tacospaceman]

I know you said this 7 years ago but it made me laugh today. Thanks @monkey dingo

[@freddyfredrickson]

based on the way these mics work, I bet they have a very low frequency response and can record low pitch voices really well.

[@williamroark]

I bet youre right (In fact, I KNOW you are right.... Wes made a 44 for ME!!!)

[@MarcoAzevedo]

beautiful...perfect

[@repentandfaith]

learned about these mics today at Conservatory Recording Arts & Sciences.

[@norwegiansniper9713]

I now know that AEA has no right to demand those sky high prices. I could easily make this at home and get the same character.

[@ethanlamb7324]

Hey my friend , sorry to bother you , but could you really build one cheap? If so I would be interested in buying one . Sorry to message you in the comments but I don’t know how to pm on KZbin . Thanks!

[@norwegiansniper9713]

@@ethanlamb7324 No problem! If you want to have a ribbon mic cheaper than what people are selling them for, or even a large diaphragm condenser, then there are many businesses that sell the microphone parts, so you can build them yourself. If you are unsure which DIY kit to buy you can go on gearspace.com cause there are a lot of people there who’ve already bought most of the different kits and can tell you the pros and cons. I sadly don’t have the time currently, but I’m sure you’ll find another way! Best of luck :))

[@ethanlamb7324]

@@norwegiansniper9713 hey Balex! Thank you for getting back oh me ! Yeah the gear space is a great resource ! I bought the ribbon motor that is a clone of the aea r44/44bx and the cinemag transformer they used in the video here. Today I found a guy who had a prop replica he had built and I snagged it for $200 . I’m going to take it and see if I can have a machine shop duplicate it ! I appreciate you taking the time to get back to me!:)

[@norwegiansniper9713]

@@ethanlamb7324 No problem bro! Best of luck!

[@KayMuller]

The non active model of this gem is listed as $2500.00 from a music supplier in Fort Wane IND. The active is $5000.00. I have never owned one YET But Hope to soon. It was my understanding that the R.C.A. originals were special made for M.G.M. and were never sold to the public. A highly respected first class open sounded marvel. Dont get me wrong I love the German Mics as well. Also look at Bock for that telefunkin 251.So many needs so littel time. LOVE you AEA keep it up well done. KPM

[@matthewchristiansen2112]

I love this

[@douro20]

It's amazing this British-made microphone, which is made with absolutely no compromise, doesn't cost more!

[@Memento_HiFi]

These mic's are actually American made, they are manufactured in Pasadena, California. They aren't too expensive either they start at $765 for some of the less fancy workhorse mics and go up to around $5220 for the crazy museum quality reproductions.

[@TiqueO6]

Ribbon mics can provide the most natural (I like to say "tactile") sound reproduction of all the mics. Condensers have too many high's for the modern transparent sound-paths. In "the old days" mics needed help along the way so that the loss of highs along the way but that all changed and mics didn't - they stayed bright and our ears have grown accustomed to the artificial "glassy" top end that vocalists and instrumentalists finally use as a crutch. Some recordings will jump out at you as being very evocative and not just full of what I call "Ear-Candy". They're often ribbon mic recordings, I've contacted the engineers when possible and usually been confirmed.

[@TheWorldTeacher]

By far the best sounding microphone for my voice, that I've heard so far, was a ribbon microphone.

[@williamroark]

yea, but WORTH IT!!!!

[@leobluesy]

Great job

[@Screaming-Trees]

I've got the R44ce. It's a great mic. Epic on vocals. Probably the only way to approach that expensive U47 style top end (not as much air though). It needs some help from the EQ though as it is quite dark. Luckily it takes whatever EQ you've got pretty well.

[@wildbillhackett]

I had an RCA BK-11, maybe the best ribbon mic ever made. (I have a sample of it on my channel.) I'll be very honest about them. They can be very flat and somewhat bland mics and also a little brittle in the high-end. What they're great for though is stage use for plays and film because you can get 12 feet or more away from a ribbon mic and it will still sound very thick and full. No other mic can do that. But while it can sound _reasonably_ good for most any application, there's almost always a better choice for recording musical instruments. A sound stage is still the best place to deploy a ribbon mic.

[@williamdooley1393]

That's an R44 from AEA Choose with your ears! Enjoy!

[@JMAudioEditions]

bets mics I ever heard

[@ACURAOCULTA]

Very nice

[@TheStreetest]

That was kick Ass!

[@Jimmyzb36]

Not RCA. I will wait for a side by side comparison. Thanks for the video.

[@channels9]

its at STUDIO 9 RECORDING Profesional aqoutic design

[@deewells1965]

Excellent! It would be great if someone could explain the purpose of the motor, and if it is actually a motor per se? Maybe an integrated step-up transformer to boost the signal?

[@sever427]

Yall Smart Smart

[@AUdioHipster]

What a lovely microphone, what is the model # on the CineMag Transformer? The CM-9888? Thanks for sharing. Cheers Doyen

[@Quadraphonicsoul]

Yup custom made to sound like an original RCA 44 transformer

[@vintageaudioworkshop]

Hard to see why it costs $5000 though they were always budget microphones compared to the active German types

[@japrogramer]

Didn't mention the necessary transformer

[@instrumentenfreak]

Okay...ribbon = super heavy and super fragile but sounds extremely smooth :D

[@mainecolbs]

Not as fragile as we are lead to believe. Definitely not as robust as a dynamic mic. or as some condensers, but you don't need to be afraid to use them.

[@williamroark]

9 Lbs!!!!

[@hifijohn]

and dont foreget its output is a good 30db less than a typical mic so it has to have a step up transformer or amplifier before you even get to the mic preamp in the console.

[@ItsMeGPZ]

anyone gonna talk about how the narrator sounds exactly like the fitnessgram pacer test guy? Just me?

[@danielpenaofficial4186]

It might be him! Lol

[@garryvee]

Made in the U.S.A.!

[@giulioluzzardi7632]

Fantastic. Can I buy one ?

[@hoodedman07]

$5,800 microphone

[@TrapBoiFuse561]

Lmao 6700$ for what again rnd on that is crazy

[@samosaarts]

Hi, can someone please explain the tuning process. Is he applying voltage to the ribbon and then checking visually the movement of the ribbon?

[@samosaarts]

OK, after studying the video a little bit more, there is a signal generator, fluke and some voltmeter or db meter. Fordham audio generator output (set to sine-wave and -20 db) is connected to the microphone and the voltmeter box. Sync output of the generator is connected to the Fluke. I assume the sync output is in sync with the output connected to the microphone and the fluke is there just to show actual frequency generated. One can see, when the knob on the generator is turned, Fluke follows. The voltmeter box seems to measure the resonant point as the needle rises and falls when the operator sweeps the frequency. Therefore the assumption is that the microphone is put to work in reverse, as a speaker. Great info for the diy community.

[@Quadraphonicsoul]

@@samosaarts One key thing that isn't shown is that there is a 2k resistor inline with the output of the generator, if not you will really get some crazy excursion of the ribbon.

[@najwansafiy6653]

saya suka

[@Edfilm711]

I'd like a AEA A440. I currently have an original RCA 44B. Once I had three RCA 44B models and one RCA 44BX. I sold the RCA 44Bs for 1800.00 each and the RCA 44BX for over 2600.00. I made sure they went (were sold) to recording engineers that really wanted a piece of quality history! I am a VoiceOver guy and love the quality of these mics. Here is a mic check of an old original 1932 RCA 44B kzbin.info/www/bejne/jqHPq3yFl7uJpqs

[@curtvincent3728]

I came up with a question this month that the Internet has not solved for me. I watched videos about using an oscilloscope in X-Y mode to produce a Lissajous curve to set the ribbon to the exact right tension based on the resonant frequency. OK, I understand but I will be damned if I know where to place the two scope probes! If you put them on each end of the ribbon they are in phase so the Lissajous is in phase regardless of frequency. Maddening. Any thoughts? I don't even know who to ask!

[@moldyoldie7888]

My two cents: Look at the voltage across the ribbon and at the same time the current going through it. At resonance, the current would be low. A current transformer or something similar measuring ribbon current is necessary. Looking at the ribbon "shake" is easy.

[@curtvincent3728]

Thanks I'll try that. And I want to go on record is thanking Wes Dooley because if it wasn't for him ribbon mics would not be what they are today. Not only is he smart but he's an outstanding businessman who has single-handedly transformed the ribbon mic industry. Thanks Wes!

[@moldyoldie7888]

@@curtvincent3728 Upon thinking about the problem, it's the ratio of voltage over current that will increase at resonance. I suppose you know that in smaller ribbon mic designs, the resonance can get into the audible area, and that the resonance is damped with the "cloth" around it.

[@curtvincent3728]

No you're 100% right. I have a handful of RCA 77 mics and the ribbon is very small. Resonance on a 44 is 16.5 hz but on the 77 it's somewhere in a 30 or 40 hz range. I've been looking for years and have not been able to find the exact spec.

[@moldyoldie7888]

@@curtvincent3728 I mistakenly called the dampening material cloth when it's called mesh. The high freq resonance mikes I was thinking of were the Shures. I didn't know about the 77s.

[@N0obShroomerPlus]

actually, brass helps conduct electricity, amplifying the sound as well as making it more clear

[@wreijman]

exactly my thoughts XD

[@Not-Only-Reaper-Tutorials]

Listen to the "hum" on the voice"s background :) is it recorded with such ribbon mic? :D (kidding :) )

[@HeartOfGermany]

Lol. Er, why should the chassis conduct electricity? It is completely isolated to the circuit - or maybe it is grounded. No current has to flow... Brass won't help conduct electricity at all. Copper is the best for that. Or way more expensive: Silver.

[@kadircinkaya]

❤

[@jessjuniata]

crazy

[@scootergreen3]

I would like to know which microphone would have a better sound for vocals..a ribbon or a condenser?

[@instrumentenfreak]

It depends on the singer.

[@scootergreen3]

Thank you instrumentenfreak.

[@mainecolbs]

They sound different. Just as ever condenser is different as well. Yes, it depends on the singer, it also depends on the style or music/production you are trying to achieve.

[@scootergreen3]

Thank you. mainecolbs.

[@rwhite549]

+mainecolbs and room ambiance as well.

[@HeartOfGermany]

Maybe it is traditional? And Stainless steel is cheaper, reducing the price a lot.

[@anonymusum]

There´s only one disadvantage: ribbons have a limited life span.

[@vickielawson3114]

Not really.

[@davidgold972]

how much dos it cost to make one of these -- Im doing a project

[@lazyh-online4839]

depends on what quality and size of materials you get and how many tries to get it right. also what kind of design you are using, this mic in the video has huge magnets with large magnetically conductive pieces (either ferrite or steel) that concentrate the magnetic field onto the ribbon but you can get a similar sound from plastic housing with some wider neo magnets epoxied next to each other with the ribbon in between. of course the sound quality won't be quite as good but you can still get incredible sound with a shoestring budget if you get the most fine Ali foil you can and have the dexterity to manually assemble it all.

[@TiqueO6]

I've heard some things about possible damping effects from overly strong magnets like the Neodymium. Any feedback about that?

[@alyssondossantos1793]

microfone bonito em =]

[@mozzmann]

OK I'm confused , I understand induction etc that is normal with standard Dynamic Diaphragm Mic's but Aluminium is NOT inductive so therefore cannot produce a voltage for amplification by being vibrated within a strong magnetic field. As this Video suggests I was under the impression that the actual resistance in response to the sound vibration was changed due to the movement of the ribbon within the magnetic field and this then produced the varying signal in the amplifier . being based of resonant freq and resistance gives a much truer reproduction. can someone tell me if this is correct.

[@1tesla]

Look for this articles on Wikipedia: paramagnetism, eddy current / Lenz's law and you will understand why it is working.

[@TiqueO6]

mozzmann I think it's an Aluminium alloy...?

[@mozzmann]

TiqueO6 Thanks I'll have a look see.

[@Perktube1]

You probably already know by now but aluminum can be inductive. That's how it is separated from trash in recycling centers.

[@mozzmann]

Perktube1 In the presence of very powerful alternating magnetic fields yes, but the reason it is separated during recycling is not induction but rather magnetic. As Alloy, Brass and some stainless steels and other alloys are non magnetic and metals and alloys containing ferrous or iron will be attracted to the Electro magnet and thus separated initially.

[@mgabrysSF]

They then schleem the plumbus.

[@adamcallan3588]

PLEASE answer! I have been looking at various ribbon mics and I have noticed they are almost all BI directional (or figure of 8 however you wanna call it) and they sound really nice BUT 1. Do the mics take in equal sound from both sides? 2. If so does the audio track need to be mono or stereo? (Of it's mono will it take In just one side?) 3. If the mic does take in equal audio, isn't the sound of it completely subjective to the room it's placed in? I know that last question is the same for all mics but what I mean is: if you throw a 57 on the grille of an amp cracked to 11 it won't make a difference if you're in a stadium or studio. But if it takes in sound from the back and front then SURLEY it would matter? Thanks 😊

[@hallugi]

1 almost yes i've noticed very subtle differences from side to side but in theory yes also google microphone polar patterns it will help you understand 2 its mono it captures both sides at a single track 3 if you mean if the room will have a big impact at the recording?Yes witch is what you want at some cases and last yes a fig 8 ribbon will capture a lot more room sound than a dynamic cardioid but dont think that recording with a 57 a loud source at any room is the same because each room resonates at different frequencies and the louder you play the more "acousticly active" you make the room and mics capture that.

[@adamcallan3588]

Thanks very much for your answer :)

[@hallugi]

you're welcome :)

[@TiqueO6]

One thing about the back side" of the figure of eight ribbon mics is that one side usually is lighter then the "front" side. Also, the backside picking up the room or another instrument , Which can be to your advantage or not, picks it up in a very accurate fashion where is leakage on other nights can be very strangely filtered or "nonlinear".

[@TiqueO6]

Meant to write "other Mics", not "other nights".

[@chriszado]

I kinda wanna buy one. But $4000 come on, really?

[@Edfilm711]

Look for AEA at Sweetwater, there is also a 2799 dollar model. Another great RCA mic was the Model 77 and there is an AEA for just about 1099, but put in a search for "AEA Ribbon" and there are several high quality choices for investing in a Ribbon Mic. I had 4 original RCA 44s three RCA 44B models and one RCA 44BX. They were all working and I sold three of them for 1800 to 2600 a piece on ebay.

[@ShiningTrapezoid]

Excuse me?

[@rhodexa]

Microphone? no! is a MacroPhone xD is too BIG!!!

[@coffeehigh420]

so there are only men working at this plant? lol with the "he" stuff

[@Quadraphonicsoul]

Yea, it's primarily a male crew.

[@DarioAvilaaCL]

+coffeehigh420 blame the fucking patriarchy bullshit next time bitch

[@coffeehigh420]

Dario Avila most days it's pretty cool. how's your life doing? say hi to the wife for me!

[@DarioAvilaaCL]

I will!

[@factcheckersjw9501]

@@Quadraphonicsoul Because women hates anything longer than 6 inches.