Tech for Geeks

We all throw technical terms around loosely. You may have heard that ribbon mics are also called velocity mics or pressure gradient mics. In the velocity mic video we talk about the difference between velocity mics (ribbon mics) and pressure mics (dynamic and condenser). Yet we also call ribbon mics Pressure Gradient mics! Dang! Relax, the reason is simple, it is not hypocritical. Gradient is a measure of how much something changes over a distance. A pressure gradient mic (ribbons) responds to the DIFFERENCE in pressure between two sides of the diaphragm (or ribbon). "Pressure gradient" refers to the acoustic operating principle. "Velocity mic" refers to the electrical-mechanical response type. So check out this video to learn more about why ribbon mcis are also called Pressure Gradient mics, in addition to being called Velocity Mics.

Different ribbon mics were designed with different Corrugations Per Inch (CPI). The RCA 44BX and 74B use 13 cpi, the RCA 77 or BK5 use 19 cpi, Royer mics use 22 and the Coles 4038 use 25 cpi. Is there a sonic difference? You bet, and that is what this video is all about. While most ribbon mic repair services only have one corrugator, ENAK has the world's first corrugator with changeable gears to create 13, 19, 22 and 25 cpi. We get it right and the mic is back to its original spec AND sound. Comments welcome! Disagreement is not disrespect.

Not all ribbon mics have an acoustic labyrinth, but if they do, you get more than just a Figure-8 polar pattern. Very cool! How does it work? I discovered an acoustic labyrinth in my first RCA 77 microphone and trying to find an explanation took decades. And finding a simple explanation? Forget it. So ENAK has produced a short video to help you understand how they work and why they are so cool in under 2.5 minutes. Comments welcome, we want to get better at producing videos like these. And just a warning, some of the mics we used in the graphics do not have acoustic labyrinths. If it only has a Figure-8 polar pattern, like the mighty AEA R44, there is no acoustic labyrinth. Comments (and flames) welcome. We will never get better at this without your precious feedback! Enjoy!

I have been around ribbon mics since I bought my first at a church flea market when I was 12. In all of the videos I have watched, I have never seen one explain the difference between pressure mics, like dynamic and condenser, and ribbon mics, also known as VELOCITY mics. Why do they call them velocity mics? That is why we made this video. Enjoy. Comments (and flames) welcome - Curt - ENAK Microphones LLC