How to tell if a ribbon mic is broken? Common Signs

In this article, we explore the details that will inform you how to tell if a ribbon mic is broken. There are usually some distinguishable signs pointing out malfunctions that prevent it from working to its total capacity, and if you are using these kinds of microphones, this would be good to know.

People often used ribbon microphones from the mid-1930s for broadcasts and recordings. They are used again more because they are great for recording and capturing the natural sound of instruments in this digital era. For example, they make thin-sounding instruments sound richer, thicker, and warmer, and kick drums are given more boom.

With a bit of insight into why it is even worth using a ribbon mic, and if it’s your first time hearing about it, you’re by far not the only one. In this day and age, we are more accustomed to the better-known dynamic and condenser microphones. As a result, we can approach ribbons with more eminent admiration and see why it’s good to know if one is not working.

How to tell if a ribbon mic is broken? 

There will usually be a low output from the mic, a 4-8 dB reduction in sensitivity, and a decline in low-frequency response. As a result, the bass will be slack and toneless, and the highs will not be so present. Overall, it won’t sound terrific, and you will know something is wrong.

Ribbon mics consist of a thin strip of corrugated aluminum (which would be the ribbon) suspended from 2 poles and between two magnets. So the basic explanation of how it works is: when sound waves shake the ribbon inside a magnetic field, a voltage is created, which goes into a transformer. Here are some common signs you can tell if the ribbon is blown.

• Use a flashlight
  You can check your mic using an ordinary flashlight from your phone. You will hold the mic upright and shine the light from the backside so that you look into the light through the microphone. Run the light up and down, and you will see the ribbon in the middle. The ribbon should be straight and not in a bent or S-shape; otherwise, it means the ribbon is stretched. Also, if you move the mic slightly back and forth with the light behind (not too much), and if the ribbon starts bending and warping, it could be that it stretched as well.
• Use headphones
  Another way to tell is to connect your ribbon mic to a pre-amp and then plug in your headphones. Now what you do is gently rock the mic back and forth and not wave it too ferociously (this is because wind blown into the ribbon mic can damage it, so don’t let that happen). When you gently sway the mic, if you happen to hear some clanging, scraping, or flapping sound, the ribbon itself is loose and scratching against the magnets.
• Other probabilities to consider
  It’s also good to check the other probabilities that the mic could not be working. For instance, you can check the XLR cable to see if that is working, which is done by connecting another mic to the cable and seeing if that works fine. It could also be a pre-amp issue (we have to rule out any possibilities to ensure that it is indeed the mic that’s not working). With the pre-amp, check to see if volume/gain is turned down; there is no return bus, wrong patch, etc.

Do ribbon mics need extra special care?

They do not need any extra care as compared to other microphones. However, you would care for a ribbon mic the same as you would care for other microphones, with a couple of exceptions. Here are some tips that will ensure that your ribbon mic lasts a long time:

• Avoid direct blasts of air
  First and foremost, what makes a ribbon mic work is its ribbon inside. And the thing that can damage it is gusts of wind, direct blasts of air into the mic, air conditioners/fans, and instruments that produce wind. But, of course, you can still use this mic for bass amps, electric guitar amp ports, wind instruments, or kick drums; you just need to position it so that it does not get that direct blow of air.
• Use pop filters and “hand test”
  For the “hand test,” you would place the back of your hand in the place where the blast of air is. If you feel the air, you know this could be bad for the mic, so you would reposition the mic to avoid that air draft which, in effect, can ensure that it won’t get damaged. You can also place a pop shield/filter between the sound source and the mic. The pop filter is designed to minimize the explosive blast of air from the sound source.
• Don’t drop the mic
  Not dropping the microphone is standard with pretty much all microphones. Dropping the microphone can cause damage within the internal structure, and this includes ribbon microphones. Ensure it is placed on a sturdy mic stand or in the microphone casing when not in use. It would be best if you exercised caution to ensure no direct, sudden impacts to the mic, and you can be assured that it will last a long time.
• Be careful with phantom power
  It can be unsafe to connect a ribbon mic with a cable or through a patch bay when the phantom power is on already. For passive ribbon mics, it is necessary to be careful with phantom power, particularly if the cable is damaged or if you patch a TRS cable on your mic’s input – it can completely stretch or blow the ribbon. Active ribbon microphones are designed to use phantom power, but for safety, make sure the phantom is off when plugging in, then switch it on after.

How do ribbon mics work?

Ribbon microphones work by an aluminum strip held (or suspended) between two magnet poles on either side of its length. A sound wave causes the ribbon to vibrate in the magnetic field, which causes a voltage to be induced into the points holding the ribbon.

When this induction happens, the signal goes into a step-up transformer that increases the voltage output and the output impedance. However, in modern designs, improved magnets and more efficient transformers can increase output levels. The ribbon itself acts as both the diaphragm and the conductor. And because it is thin and light, it has better freedom of movement, allowing for more accurate frequency responses compared to a moving coil in a dynamic mic.

For this reason, ribbon microphones are known to have an excellent frequency response. They are primarily bi-directional (figure of 8 pickup pattern), meaning they pick up sound from both sides of the mic but not from the sides or above. These bi-directional ribbons have a more proximity effect than any other mics; therefore, the bass sound gets more pronounced the closer it gets to the mic.

What are ribbon mics best used for?

These microphones are best used when you want to record a voice or instruments because of their figure-of-8 polar pattern, immense low-end pickup, and high-frequency roll-off. In addition, their excellent frequency response lets you capture a wide range of frequencies.

The characteristics of the ribbon microphone’s sound can improve your recording so that thin-sounding instruments will sound thicker with more depth, which happens from its proximity effect and vocals that need that natural enhancement.

Today, engineers, producers, and artists use ribbon mics for recording kick drums, which give that extra boom. Ribbons are also used for electric guitar amps, bass amps, brass instruments (like trumpets and trombones), woodwinds (saxophone, clarinet, etc.), and strings for that spacious, cinematic sound. In some cases, they are also used for stereo capture.

Are ribbon mics better than condensers?

To answer simply, no. Ribbon microphones capture recordings to sound natural while flattering the sound as the sonic output is amazingly accurate. While condenser mics, although also accurate, add color to your sounds that you may not like or prefer because they pick up more highs generally.

Choosing between these mics comes down to preference. For example, if you want to capture more specialized sound for vocals and instruments and have an optimum recording or performance quality with richer depth and tonality, then you would ideally use a ribbon mic. And if you need a mic for multiple purposes, to allow that mic to stretch out for various needs, yet still want to capture quality, you would use a condenser. Also, ribbons are bi-directional, while condensers can be in different pickup patterns.

To say one is better than the other wouldn’t be fair, considering there are some great condenser microphones. To put it simply, if you have the budget to get a ribbon mic and a condenser, you are in a prime position, and you can do so much more for your audio needs. However, if you cannot get both, you would be in safe hands getting a condenser because you can fulfill many of your audio requirements with this mic.

What types of ribbon mics are there?

They come in various designs, and some have different polar patterns, but these are uncommon. Nowadays, you get larger ribbon mics and smaller ones, some heavier and some lighter. But generally, they are smaller than their predecessors from decades ago.

The various designs are usually according to the manufacturer. Today you find many different ones to choose from, as opposed to back in the 1930s when fewer were on the market. Most notable were RCA’s 77A, 44, and 77 series, which were quite large compared to what we have today. RCA’s top-class research and development efforts into the microphones made it successful (besides their advertising budget and pipelines into the broadcasting market).

Today you will find companies competing for the market, and among the top, you will find Royer Labs, who received the Technical Grammy Award for their contributions to the industry. And they have the Royer R-121, R-122 MKII, and SF-12, to name a few. Another is AEA which has released its R44 and R88 series, KU5A, and N8. Other brands include Beyerdynamic, Coles, Shure, and sE Electronics.

Conclusion

There is an entirely different approach to recording, knowing that ribbon mics can do so much. And the more you understand them, the greater appreciation you will have for looking after them and want to get the most out of these great microphones.

Always try to keep your ribbon mic in its best possible condition because if well looked after, it can even last a lifetime. And now that you know what to look out for when “troubleshooting” your mic, you can rest assured knowing that you’ll be able to pinpoint the most probable cause of malfunction using this guide.

And if you happen to own a ribbon mic, and you discover that the ribbon is stretched or broken, the best bet would be to contact the manufacturer of the mic, and they will be able to guide you through the necessary steps to getting it fixed. Usually, if it’s just the ribbon that is damaged, it can be fixed, so it’s not the end of the world; they can help you to get it sorted. Always seek counsel from professionals first before attempting to DIY.