All you ever wanted to know about ribbon microphones but were afraid to ask...

[Drew Stephenson]

This month on the SOS podcast I had the pleasure of catching up with Stewart Tavener of Xaudia and Extinct Audio to talk about all things ribbon microphones and how you sort-of-accidentally become an expert in your field.
https://www.soundonsound.com/people/ext ... er-podcast or all the usual podcast platforms.

[Martin Walker]

Bravo Monsieur Drew - your lightning-fast reactions yet thoughtful delving into the details that we all want to hear is exemplary

A great and informative listen!

Martin

[Drew Stephenson]

I promise you anything that sounds like quick thinking on my part is almost certainly an edit!

[Hugh Robjohns]

Interesting conversation -- nice one Drew.

[Zukan]

Nice 1 buddy!

[Drew Stephenson]

Thanks gents, Stewart is a very interesting chap and a very handy recording engineer to boot.

[Mixedup]

Good work. Which reminds me I have ribbon mics that need repairing...

[awjoe]

Good one, Drew. When I become famous, will you interview me? Or only if I become *rich* and famous?

[Drew Stephenson]

I only interview people with 5000 tiktok followers.

[Wonks]

Why didn't you ask him the important stuff, like what's his favourite colour and what football team he supports?

And did you record the podcast on a ribbon microphone?

[Folderol]

I finally got time to listen to this. A very interesting podcast indeed it is too
Oh, and I absolutely get Stewart wanting to build his own capsules if he was to add that to the portfolio.

[awjoe]

Yes. *And* he remembered to use a pop filter.

[MOF]

And did you record the podcast on a ribbon microphone?

You obviously don’t have golden ears, if you did you wouldn’t need to ask the question, in fact you’d be able to say which mic’ it was.
I don’t have golden ears either. Interesting podcast, as was the spatial sound one that Hugh did a while back.
https://www.soundonsound.com/people/abb ... um-podcast

[Drew Stephenson]

Why didn't you ask him the important stuff, like what's his favourite colour and what football team he supports?

And did you record the podcast on a ribbon microphone?

I'd be quite surprised if Stew could actually name a football team (other than Accrington Stanley because he's of that generation) but yes, Stew's part was recorded on ribbon mic, my bit was recorded on an Aston Stealth set to the ribbon mode. Just because I was curious...

[Xaudia]

for the record....

1. My home team as a boy was Preston North End, although I am really a cycling nut and not an avid soccer fan.

2. My mic was of course an Extinct Audio BM9 with a pop shield.

3. I am strangely drawn to orange things.

4. I'm not rich and I don't follow ticktock,, but I did insist on a bowl of green M&Ms and a box of kittens before being interviewed.

It was great to catch up with Drew - hopefully we can do that properly now the pubs are starting to open!

Have fun.
Stewart

[Forum Admin]

[shufflebeat]

4. I'm not rich and I don't follow ticktock,, but I did insist on a bowl of green M&Ms and a box of kittens before being interviewed.

What a strange combination of snacks. Each to their own, I suppose.

Great listen, informed and enthusiastic meets curious and enthusiastic.

More please.

[Aled Hughes]

Very interesting, thanks!

Stuart fixed (and modified to XLR) a pair of Beyer M260s for me recently. Highly recommended.