From: liz@poppyrecords.invalid.invalid   
      
   Scott Dorsey  wrote:   
      
   > Liz Tuddenham  wrote:   
   > >Can I be the first person in ages to ask an on-topic question here?   
   > >   
   > >Who uses 'ribbon' (i.e. Fig-8) mics on a regular basis and what do you   
   > >find they are best at doing?   
   >   
   > I use some figure-8 mikes that are ribbons and some that aren't ribbons.   
   > I also use some ribbons that aren't figure-8 (like the BK-5).   
   >   
   > The most important thing about a figure-8 is the null, which is deep and   
   > sharp and can be used to eliminate guitar leakage into a singer-songwriter's   
   > vocal mike or slap echo from the side of a room or from a floor.   
   >   
   > People get all het up about technology when they should worry more about   
   > pattern and sound.   
      
   You have hit upon the effect that makes the ribbon so special and useful   
   in difficult circumstances:  It is the *null* that singles it out,   
   rather than the response.   
      
   Cardioids have a single point null which is rarely useful because the   
   unwanted sound rarely comes from a single direction, but Fig-8 mics have   
   a whole circle of null which can eliminate an entire wall reflection.   
   Putting the mic horizontally can eliminate reflections from all four   
   walls and give reasonable sound in an otherwise impossible room.  (Not   
   recommended with a true ribbon mic, where the ribbon is likely to sag.)   
      
      
   --   
   ~ Liz Tuddenham ~   
   (Remove the ".invalid"s and add ".co.uk" to reply)   
   www.poppyrecords.co.uk   
      
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