royer R-121 - The Sweet Spot

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performance curve of a condenser mic with excellent results. This is not to say that a

ribbon microphone can replace a quality condenser mic, but the EQ friendliness inherent

in ribbon microphones does allow for an enormous amount of flexibility.

The reason that ribbon mics take EQ so well is because of their inherent low self-noise

(less than 15 dB) and unusually smooth response characteristics. Dialing in high amounts

of equalization on condenser or dynamic microphones also means dialing in extra amounts

of the microphone’s distortion products and self noise; garbage that contributes to an

unnatural, unpleasant sound. Because distortion and self-noise are almost non-existent in

ribbon microphones, high levels of EQ can be used without adding harshness or excessive

noise.

Hum Noise and Mic Orientation

All dynamic microphones, including ribbons, utilize powerful magnets in their motor

assemblies and matching transformers, and are, to some degree, susceptible to picking up

stray alternating magnetic fields. Power transformers (such as those found in guitar

amplifiers) and alternating current motors are the most likely sources of radiated noise.

Building wiring and electrical utility transformers are other likely sources. A well-

designed microphone provides shielding to minimize the effects of stray magnetic

radiation. In some cases complete isolation is impossible and the result is usually hum or

buzz. Ribbon microphones can potentially manifest this condition to a greater degree

because of their higher gain requirements. With vintage ribbon microphones that employ

large bulky magnet structures, the problem can be worse.

Finding and Working with the Sweet Spot

Good engineers know the importance and benefits of finding and working with the “sweet

spot” of a given microphone. The sweet spot will be defined as the optimum placement

(working distance and angular position) of any microphone relative to the sound source.

Each microphone has its own sweet spot whether it is a dynamic or condenser type. The

sweet spot will vary with the type of sound source and its volume intensity, the polar

pattern of the microphone and how consistent it is with frequency, and the acoustic

environment.

This condition is called the sweet spot because the microphone and the sound source are

in a harmony of sorts; the acoustic information is exciting the microphone in such a

fashion that the resulting reproduction is very desirable, usually without the need for

additional equalization or electronic manipulation.

There are only general rules as to where the sweet spot may be found for any given

microphone, and usually experimentation reveals it. The sweet spot can be extremely

variable since it depends on the quirks of a given microphone and a given room. Once the

sweet spot is discovered, this placement can become a “rule of thumb” starting point for

future microphone placement with similar sound sources. Remember this: If it sounds

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