phones performed very well, their days were numbered. Newer
dynamic and condenser mics would soon replace them. The new
designs were compact, rugged and sensitive. It wasn’t long be-
fore the television industry embraced these new designs. Radio
followed the trend shortly afterward. Further technological devel-
opment of ribbon microphones was considered unnecessary and
the beloved ribbon soon faded into obscurity. It is a fate reminis-
cent of that of the vacuum tube when transistors hit the scene less
than a decade later.
Some of their unique characteristics, unmatched even by today’s
modern condensers and dynamics, are still revered by many pro-
fessionals, as evidenced by the high prices that vintage ribbons
command in the marketplace.
Traditional-style ribbon microphones are still being manufactured
in limited quantities today by a few dedicated companies. These
microphones are essentially similar to the designs of the 1930s
and limited to specialized applications.
Recent developments in magnetics, electronics and mechanical
construction procedures have made it possible to once again bring
the ribbon microphone to the forefront of the audio field. This is
similar to the resurgence vacuum tubes have made in recent years
now that technology has enabled further development of the state
of the art in numerous areas. A renewed interest in these designs
(both tube technology and ribbon microphones) is driven by the
unique characteristics these devices possess, which remain un-
matched even by some of today’s marvels.
Today’s ribbon microphones can be produced smaller and with
sensitivity levels matching those of modern dynamic and con-
denser microphones. Aside from the superlative audio qualities of
modern ribbon microphones, their smooth frequency response
and phase linearity make them ideally suited for the new digital
formats that dominate recording today. Now, with the introduc-
tion of the world’s first active ribbon microphone, the R-122 adds
a whole new chapter to the story of microphones, bringing a new
23
Summary of Contents for R-122
Page 28: ...Notes 27 ...
