Testimonials:

• Crystal clear, very interesting and accurate too. - Bob Crowley (Crowley & Tripp Pro Audio)

• WOW Fantastic GREAT PLANS. Will also help on restore of old ribbon mics. - Synthaxe (eBay buyer)

• The finished mic sounds as good as my RCA 44. - Corey Brunish, Frank Sinatra tribute performer

• Not only where the directions good...but I love every thing I record with these (I built two while I was at it.) The satifaction of knowing "It's mine" feels good every time I listen. The reproduction of the Piano was amazing. - Dave, Mixbox Jazz Trio

• I gotta say, Wow! Those measured better than a few pro mics I've seen! - Herb (Massachusetts)

• You've made a great work there! - Gilles (France)

• I'm really pleased with how this mic has turned out. Sonically it hangs in there with a Royer 121... Mine has a little better top end. My upright bass player yesterday tried to buy one from me. I sent him to your website. - Keith Compton, Nashville Engineer, www.KeithCompton.com

• I enjoyed reading it, it's easy to understand and nicely done. Congrats!! - Christian (Germany)

FAQ

• I already bought your plans, will you build a Microphone for me? (The #1 question!!)
  • YES!! Add $150 to the Model 1 Kit, Model 2 Cinemag Kit or the Model 3 Lundahl Kit

• Do I need a special Microphone Preamp (Tube, FET, etc.) to use this mic?
  • No.  A normal microphone preamp should suffice for most applications.  I use the preamps built-into my recording device, or a $40 ART Tube MP! 

• Will you sell me a kit of all the parts, so I can put one together?
  • Yes. It's called the "Model 1 Kit." The cost is $199 plus $6 shipping. (CA residents add 8.75% Sales Tax)
    Please email RickshawRecords@yahoo.com for more information.

• Will you repair my <Brand N> Ribbon Microphone?
  • Sorry, no.  However, if you read this tutorial, you can probably repair it yourself!

• Do you have a microphone I could try out?
  • Probably not.  Usually they're already out, being lent to my friends or being used in my studio.  I only have a few. 

• Do you have any plans or schematics for a cheap microphone preamp?
  • No, but there are some good ones out there...  One even fits inside a standard Microphone cable!
    The Austin mic uses a very thin ribbon and a step-up transformer which increases its output, so you don't need a ton of gain.  (This is not your typical, low-gain, mass-produced Chinese ribbon microphone.)

• How much Phantom Power do your mic's require?
  • NONE!  These Ribbon Mic's are completely passive.  
    Phantom Power may fry the element of  these and most ribbon microphones.
    To be safe, do not use Phantom Power!

• Do I have to use a Pop-Stopper (pop filter)
  • Any time you can feel a breeze from whatever you're recording (voice, bass, clapping, kick drum) then YES.
    A blast of wind can rip the fragile ribbon.

Back to the Ribbon Mic Page

FAQ