DIY Ribbon Microphone Design Directory

The goal of this directory is to provide You all the required knowledge You might need to make Your own good sounding and reliable DIY ribbon microphone for regular use in sessions. I have started to dig into this stuff when I caught passion for ribbon microphones and same time realized that I couldn't afford to buy a couple of Royers at the moment. If You are in a same boat - this site is for You. Now, for already about a year, I use my own microphones in my everyday studio work (I am a full-time music producer and recording engineer) and, to be honest, I am satisfied. But what is more important - my clients are satisfied too. So, I suppose, now it is time to share the knowledge I have gathered from the network, books and from good people who have generously shared their own experience with me.

To those who are new to DIY I would suggest to start from the beginning and to read all the chapters consequently. This way You should get better and deeper understanding of the matter. You are always welcome to ask me a question if You don't understand something. On the other hand, it's clear, that not everybody intends to DIY a whole microphone, some people are interested purely in information about ribbon techniques in order to upgrade an existing mass-production ribbon microphone with a thinner foil. If You are one of them, You can pass directly to ribbons section, You'll find a full description of ribbon works there.

Table of Content

• Operation Principles:
  Ribbon microphone basics. Operation principles. Performance affecting factors.
• Frequency Response:
  Frequency response of a ribbon microphone. Frequency response shaping.
• Magnets:
  Magnetic materials. Description of magnet types.
• Ribbons:
  Ribbon works. Ribbon design principles. Ribbon crafting techniques.
• Assembly Design:
  Chassis design overview. Creating a ribbon microphone motor from scratch.