ubertar ribbon mic-- sneak preview of new version on page 23

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ubertar
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ubertar ribbon mic-- sneak preview of new version on page 23

Post by ubertar » Wed Sep 02, 2009 12:52 pm

Just finished the prototype, and did a little recording of some guitar improv. I haven't received the transformers yet (this was made with a sample) but they should be here soon. I'll put up a pic soon, but for now, here's a demo, with a comparison with an RCA Varacoustic.

* http://www.ubertar.com/ribbon_prototype.mp3
http://www.ubertar.com/rca_varacoustic.mp3

edit: here's a new demo, that reflects how the mics currently sound:
http://www.ubertar.com/november09_ribbon_demo.MP3
details of the recording are on page 18.
edit: On the other hand, never mind my noodling... check out albaldo's work:
http://stephenegerton.com/index.php?opt ... &Itemid=16 He used it on everything: guitars, bass, drums and vocals.

The most obvious difference is noise. That's preamp noise... the Varacoustic is much more sensitive, so the prototype had to have more gain at the preamp, resulting in more noise. The varacoustic is just better overall, fidelity-wise, but the prototype has its own charm, IMHO.

I'm planning on making some of these, to sell, for $25 each.** It's more just a side project for the fun of it... my hex pickups will take priority over these, as far as my time goes.

edit: fixed broken link

*the signal/noise has since been dramatically improved; see page 10
**as of 9/24, 9am, all new orders will be at the new price of $35.
Last edited by ubertar on Tue Jan 05, 2010 9:49 am, edited 16 times in total.

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Post by sad iron » Wed Sep 02, 2009 1:22 pm

sounds pretty cool. I'm in.

But now for the all important question: What will it look like? At that price point, surveys show that consumers are interested in "cool factor."

Ok, it was a survey of me.

Oh, and the variacoustic linky no worky.
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Post by KennyLusk » Wed Sep 02, 2009 1:28 pm

Pic's would be totally tasty. Had to sedate my vibro champ.

BTW, I'm in and can pay. After working with your hexaphonic pickup Paul I'm totally ok with a ribbon mic from you, no question.
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Post by iamthecosmos » Wed Sep 02, 2009 2:35 pm

I'd be interested in one if that's cool...

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Post by JohnDavisNYC » Wed Sep 02, 2009 2:37 pm

if you can get rid of the hum, that would rule... the tone is awesome.

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Post by ubertar » Wed Sep 02, 2009 2:37 pm

The varacoustic link has been fixed. Here are some pics. Don't expect the quality to be like the hex pickups... to keep the price low, I'm cutting every corner possible on these. It's more just a fun project, while the hex pickups are more serious gear. But I think these will be pretty useful anyway. They can get really close to an amp without any problems, at least so far. With the varacoustic, at a foot away, I could hear the ribbon getting distressed, so had to move it back, but the protoribbon could get right up to it. The pic with the tweed champ shows the actual distance from the amp for the recording. The amp was on 6 (out of 12).

Image
Image
Image

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Post by KennyLusk » Wed Sep 02, 2009 2:53 pm

The proto mic has more clarity, presence, and proximity effect than the varacoustic IMO. BTW it's very cool that you even HAVE a varacoustic ribbon.

The beauty of being in a home studio is that no one sees or cares if some of your gear is pretty or not, LOL. I'm the Decider :rofl:
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Post by ubertar » Wed Sep 02, 2009 3:02 pm

toaster3000 wrote:if you can get rid of the hum, that would rule... the tone is awesome.

john
The hum is from the preamp, not the mic, but it's a function of the mic not being very sensitive. I'm going to try using my "multi-amplifier array" to add a gain stage or two and see what that does. Maybe Michael or Jon will have some suggestions for how to make the mic more sensitive. I'm a novice at this stuff.

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Post by ubertar » Wed Sep 02, 2009 3:03 pm

KennyLusk wrote:BTW it's very cool that you even HAVE a varacoustic ribbon.
Got it at an antiques store, for way less than it's worth, along with an Electro-voice V2 and a Sony C37p.

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Post by JohnDavisNYC » Wed Sep 02, 2009 3:09 pm

hmmm... maybe a step-up transformer?

dunno... it sounds great, though. total 'sparklehorse' mic.

i'm going to use it for my new band, 'glitterpony'

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Post by vvv » Wed Sep 02, 2009 3:29 pm

Ver' 8) !

Now just as an aside, isn't that tweed actually a Pro, Jr.?

Hmmmm, I mean, it looks like mine ...

EDIT: Just UTSF'd; I'm wrong, sorry.
Last edited by vvv on Wed Sep 02, 2009 3:33 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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Post by ubertar » Wed Sep 02, 2009 3:33 pm

vvv wrote:Ver' 8) !

Now just as an aside, isn't that tweed actually a Pro, Jr.?

Hmmmm, I mean, it looks like mine ...
It's a '57 Champ. Got it at a yard sale for ten bucks. Best yard sale find of my life. I've been hooked on yard sales and flea markets ever since.

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Post by vvv » Wed Sep 02, 2009 3:34 pm

Ha!

While you were posting, I was UTSFing.

Don't mind me, except to tell me how you made such a find so that I can get one!
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Post by ThePitz » Wed Sep 02, 2009 3:36 pm

Put me down for one. In my dream studio - all of the gear looks just like that. Post apocalyptic and doubling as a cooking or smoking device with no modification.

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Post by newfuturevintage » Wed Sep 02, 2009 3:39 pm

ubertar wrote:
KennyLusk wrote:BTW it's very cool that you even HAVE a varacoustic ribbon.
Got it at an antiques store, for way less than it's worth, along with an Electro-voice V2 and a Sony C37p.
That's a hell of an antique store run! I love the V2, and well, a C37...

is that my imagination or did you build this into a tea strainer?

Oh, and I'll pony up $25 for that kinda nonsense :)

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