API 312 and Fatheads/Ribbons

[antonlamont45]

Will the 312 provide enough gain for a Fathead on a quiet singer, do you think? Or how about other ribbons? Does it match well gain wise or is it not enough? Very curious...

[djimbe]

Old 312? Like early '70's vintage? I think I recall reading on a thread here that the input transformers changed at some point from an 8:1 to a 10:1. You should be able to research that by the number stamped on top of your traffos.

Mine are the smaller ratio and only work well with ribbons if the source is loud. My ribbons are almost all old ones too, so that may be part of it. The newer ones like the Fathead likely have a higher output than my old Shures and Beyers. New 312 (like from a 3124) or a 512 might get you there. I haven't used the new API stuff...

[ulriggribbons]

if you run ribbon -> 312 ->compressor -> recorder you should be fine.

Other than that, it will depend on how quiet is quiet =)

ju

[antonlamont45]

actually i was thinking of the API A2D which contains 312 pres. the source would be vocals at talking volume. thanks for the advice.

[Nick Sevilla]

Will the 312 provide enough gain for a Fathead on a quiet singer, do you think? Or how about other ribbons? Does it match well gain wise or is it not enough? Very curious...

actually i was thinking of the API A2D which contains 312 pres. the source would be vocals at talking volume. thanks for the advice.

Try using not a ribbon mic, but a large diafragm condenser (LDC). This is if you insist on using the API mic pre.

Cheers

[yoink]

Will the 312 provide enough gain for a Fathead on a quiet singer, do you think? Or how about other ribbons? Does it match well gain wise or is it not enough? Very curious...

API 3124s or A2Ds? Plenty of gain for most ribbons/dynamics. I can't imagine it's any different for the 512c.