All user reviews of 4/5 for the The T.bone RB500

Tape
bidirectional
Gain out of the microphone is low (normal on tape), it is important to use a good preamp.

OVERALL OPINION

It is two years since happiness guitarists groups with which I shoot.
I was looking for an alternative to the eternal 57 and 906 on a guitar amp, something more mellow a stick on the amps a lamp, but something that I could also take presta on tour.
At that price (one hundred nine euros) I tried left and have not been disappointed.
It's a bit of a cartoon strip: a very low round, very smooth, but not very accurate, high end a little back and very soft and in this case that's exactly what I asked.
Do not dream it's not a Royer.
But Royer 2000 euros in presta when we had the stuffing and it can take a 48v which will destroy directly, very little for me. A 100 euros the risk is tolerable.
Caution is still fragile and the conection (one meter cable coming out of the microwave) does not help at all.

I tried on a lot of use, but it really convinced me as the guitar amp (even in the studio, I use it in the center of the bowl with an off-axis C414).

In ambiance battery too lacking precision, this can give an effect says a little extra on vintage jazz batteries.

On bass amp I got nothing conclusive, do not compete with my little SM7, even when it seems satisfying solo, it's very hard to get into the mix.

Little help to recover from the bottom in addition to another microphone behind a perceived example.

On vocals (in the studio), that's a matter of taste and artistic choice, very flattering in the low and very soft, but not precise, however, it happens that I use it for voice or back choirs warmth is interesting in mixing a bit.

In short, it is far from a Swiss Army knife but that price makes it a very interesting color, it's certainly not the first investment to do but I'm very happy to have him in my park and I think buying another.

The Tbone RB 500 is a really amazing ribbon mic. These are a pretty penny so you don't want to use these live if there is a chance someone could knock it. Ribbon mics are known for being fragile, but this one can handle up to 136dB, which is plenty of headroom for your loud sources. You don't need phantom power for this mic, in fact it would be a very bad idea to switch that on with this mic. It comes with a really nice brass shock mount and a wooden box for storage. It's a figure 8 polar pattern, so you're going to get a very open and balanced sound with this mic. It connects to your mic preamp with an XLR cable.


OVERALL OPINION

I got this mic soon after it came out a while ago. I love it and figured it would do a great job on a ribbon mic. It did, of course. The entire frequency spectrum sounds wonderful through this mic. I find that it truly excels on delicate acoustic instruments and vocals. My favorite is acoustic guitar. If you want a nice smooth sound, say for a stripped down folk song, this mic will definitely get you the sound you hear in your head. I do with it had a switchable polar pattern, since that would make it more useful. Sometimes the figure 8 pattern is a little bit limiting in some recording situations. Other than that, I have few complaints about this great ribbon mic. It's very easy on the eyes as well. At a thousand dollars, you get a top tier ribbon mic with some nice accessories. That sounds like a good value to me. I would get it again if anything happened to mine. I suggest this mic if you are looking for a ribbon mic on a decent budget. It wont break the bank and it will sound amazing!

Tape, I possde 2 and are used only for the atmospheres of brass, for now.

OVERALL OPINION

8 months, his warm, natural atmosphere in the brass (in addition to microphones proximit.Ce are my 1st ribbon mics but I have other couples, Schoeps, Rode NT5, the rb 500 is my humble opinion all just best for this use spcifique.Rapport quality excellent price, yes I would do this choice.
I do not recommend this microphone as the main mic, not really versatile and require a good pramp.j 'might try soon on bass drum and guitar amp ... and complement this notice if necessary.

* What type of microphone? (Song, sound, mixed ..)
I use it for recovery guitar amp, vocals and acoustic guitar making (for now)

* What technology? (Electret capacitor ...)
Micro ribbon, good quality

OVERALL OPINION

* For how long have you been using it?
1 month
- Used to return the amp, my guitars live again! more chirping metal body that I could not have with an SM-57 or a static. The plugs are hot, the bass is present, do not twist the acute ears is the sound I hear out of the receiver (at 30-50 cm to position the amp). For a bigger sound, especially with distortion, the position of the speaker to 10cm, the proximity effect is quite pronounced and micro cash very well (145dB according to the manufacturer). Used for U.S. Fender Start / Gretsch 6120 + fuzzface-homemade Rangemaster / HTDual + Fender Deluxe Reverb homemade (ADP) / Blackheart BH5 (great little amp though roots by the way! See the reviews on this site) + RB500 + RME Fireface (great) + Reaper (great as him!).

- Used only by acoustic guitar making it worse, any expense is that we want to do. The sound lacks a little sharp in my opinion, but again is very natural and the bass are there (do not put it too close). By adding a static, the combination is perfect.

- Used on voice, I like, it changes. Especially on my voice, he takes the side a bit tinny (now, there is never very objective with regard to his own voice ...). On a girl's voice is good too. Again the key word is: natural. Attention to put a pop filter under penalty of damaging the tape!

* Did you try many other models before getting this one?
SM-57, B2-Pro, Apex (static) Senhieser E609 (or E906, I never know)

* What thing do you like most/least about it?
The pros:
- NATURAL sound reproduction
- Presence of low!
- Great for recovery of guitar amp
The -:
- Fragile tape (there is nothing can techno)
- Output Level = weakling who must follow a preamp but with RME, no problem
- Cable attached to the micro (?!?)
- No manual maintains

* What is your opinion about the value for the price?
Terrible!

* Knowing what you know now, would you make the same choice?
Yes yes yes and re-.

I put 8 because of the cable (it will have to put the legs in the microwave or on the day he drops) and the level of output that requires a good preamp (ie quite expensive).

Chinese ribbon microphone fig 8, see data sheet or Af thomann for details.
The pickups give a real impression of solidity weigh a good 400 gr each (feet a little attention to light) the rod bends but does not break through against the railing protects the tape but is deemed fragile.Ils are prewired XLR which is actually quite practical.


OVERALL OPINION

I tried to get a realistic sound for my battery lives taken typed jazz or rock "sound" (as opposed to catches close I realize that mike booth), and I'm not disappointed.
So I have a pair of these mics (repurchase OCCAZ to Nicolas Studio NG that I welcome the way) I set a couple separated at 30-40 cm above the ride and the crash of a gretsch set bebop
And waouhhh! Surprise!
I just made this little test on returning the 2 mics in Zoom H4 with the gain of the microphones on the maximum position, and frankly it's bluffing there's a real living with her just down the need for barrels and bass drum, cymbals and especially lively, much more muted, less flashy and detailed with my Oktava mk012 and thus ultimately more realistic.
I also feel that this type of microphone has better transient and returns the best move the natural dynamics of a battery live in equalize a little behind, we really brings his catch to the historic Blue Note!
Obviously all this requires a well-tuned kit and a piece that sounds a minimum because the directivity of this microphone in 8 actually takes a lot of atmosphere and thus the color of the room.
What kiff! I can just imagine the result with ROYER or EAR, but this is not the same budget!