RM-6 DIY Ribbon Mic Kit with Assembled Motor
€298.00 excl. VAT
RM-6 is a premium quality DIY ribbon mic kit that you can build yourself.
No previous DIY experience required. Very simple assembly process and beginner-friendly step-by-step illustrated assembly manual. Assembled motor with advanced magnetic circuitry.
Description
RM-6 Premium DIY Ribbon Mic kit.
What is the difference between the RM-5 and RM-6 DIY Ribbon Mic kits? – it is the number one question I am being asked since I began posting the information about the new RM-6 DIY Ribbon Mic Kit. So, I’ve decided to start with answering it. RM-5 and RM-6 are two different designs, they just share the same type of body. So, the main differences are the following:
- RM-5 is a big ribbon mic with 2″ ribbon, RM-6 is a small ribbon mic with 1″ ribbon
- As typical for shorter ribbons, RM-6 has less distortion and sounds more natural way
- RM-6 sounds flatter, while RM-5 tends to feel slightly sharp
- RM-6 has significantly higher output signal level, at least +3dB comparing to RM-5
- RM-6 has much lower magnetic flux leakage, there is nearly no attraction between two microphone standing side-bi-side
- RM-6 motor comes with 1.8u ribbon (1.2u optional), while RM-5 motor comes with 2.5u ribbon
- RM-6 comes with RTX-28 toroidal transformer optimized for thinner foil gauges
- My opinion is that RM-6 is superior for recording the acoustic instruments (listen to the samples below!)
Take a Listen!
Anyway, we can discuss the technical differences for hours, but the most important question is still the one that just cannot be answered in words – How it sounds?? So, enjoy the videos below and don’t forget to switch to HD! The instruments (and vocals) in these videos were recorded using RM-6 Ribbon Microphones (with standard 1.8u ribbons) in Blumlein setup. You can find more instrument videos at the bottom of the page!
Overview
RM-6 DIY Ribbon Mic Kit is the result of all the experience and knowledge we have gained during the years of manufacturing and improving our parts and kits. The development process of RM-6 microphone took nearly two years starting from the first sketches and ending with the units of the first prototype run.
The RM-6 DIY Ribbon Mic Kit features precision machined and individually hand-tuned RE-323 ribbon microphone motor with a 1″ long ribbon made from highest quality Japanese 1.8 micron thick aluminum foil and high-grade NdFeB magnets. Moreover, the motor was designed with the help of magnetic flux analysis software in order to prevent the excessive saturation, reduce the flux leakage by around ten times comparing to RE-254 motor (RM-5 kit) and increase the flux density in the ribbon gap resulting in significantly higher output signal level
The motor comes assembled!
The RTP-28 toroidal transformer of our own design tuned for the higher impedance of thinnest foils gauges makes a perfect match with the motor revealing the great presence effect and preserving the clarity of sound.
Bodies are individually machined by a local company from hand selected stainless steel tubing of finest grades with attention to the details and mechanically matte-brushed for our signature appearance. Our own original XLR receptacle is CNC carved right in the bottom cap and male XLR insert with gold-plated pins is included. The Bumblebee logo is engraved with a fiber laser, so it’s nearly impossible to damage it.
What exactly is included?
Everything you need to make a classy modern ribbon microphone:
- RE-323 Ribbon Mic Motor with 1.8u ribbon
- RTX-28 Toroidal Output Transformer
- Matt-polished stainless steel body with all the hardware – caps, screws, grill
- XLR insert with gold-plated pins.
- Illustrated Assembly Manual
Check out the detailed assembly manual with every step well-described and clearly illustrated with photographs. Yes, this kit is easy enough to DIY for any person, even without any experience in electronics.
Technical Information
- Acoustic principle: pressure-gradient
- Polar pattern: bi-directional / figure-eight
- Circuit type: passive
- Recommended load impedance: > 2000 Ohms
- Frequency response: 35 – 14.000 Hz approx.
- Output connector: 3-pin male XLR
- Dimensions: D 1.10″ (28 mm), L 7.68″ (195 mm)
- The shockmount is not included!
Take a Listen to Other Recording Samples:
11 reviews for RM-6 DIY Ribbon Mic Kit with Assembled Motor
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Johan (verified owner) –
I reseaved my kit today. I assembled it and tried it out. Now im here to buy another one.
Thanx from Swden!
Eduardo (verified owner) –
First a big thank you to Artur and company, it was a pleasure doing business. This is a fantastic sounding set of ribbon microphones, and very well made. I decided on a pair of RM-6 with 1.2 micron ribbon. They were well packed, fast shipping and even got it a day early, which is always nice. Building this kit was easy, I’m no expert, just follow the detailed instructions on the site. Regarding the build, I also found a bit of the tightness that the other reviewer Erik Lundh mentioned, but not a problem and easy fix. I’m very very happy on how these turned out. I’m in complete agreement with the previous reviews of Electric Tommy and Dan Boner as they said it best. These are great sounding ribbon mics.
ElectricTommy (verified owner) –
RM-6/1.2 micron motor. First, let me say that Artur is a very responsive guy. It’s a pleasure dealing with him. The mic sounds absolutely top-shelf, the parts are superb quality and it punches WAY above its dollar weight. Assembly is a little tricky, though. There are only about 6 solder joints, but getting the wired motor into the mic body can be an exercise in frustration. The windscreen likes to wander up/down and around, trying to grind off the insulators while you’re rocking it back and forth during installation. Motor alignment with the top cap is a challenge. Maybe after building a dozen of these, that sequence would be easier. I found it less of a struggle to fit the motor first, and then put the transformer/XLR cap in last.
Regarding the “sound,” I agree with the Dan, the second reviewer above. I have used/own most of those ribbons and what he says is true.
All things considered, I highly recommend the kit.
Dale Sandberg (verified owner) –
I contacted Artur with some questions and he answered straightaway. In the end I got the standard 1.8 micron ribbon, and built up the kit. While I needed to brush up on my soldering skills, the connections were easy to put together, and the build was relatively easy. Best of all the mic sounds amazing! Very natural with non-hyped HF detail and a full round bottom end. I would recommend this kit to anyone, and I will be building another of these.
Dan Boner (verified owner) –
The RM-6 with 1.2 micron ribbon is one of the best ribbon mics on the planet. And I have owned and/or used the classics and modern creations: RCA 44BX and 77DX, AEA R88, Reslo, Shure, Royer, etc. They are used almost always as a Blumlein pair. It is my go-to configuration for bluegrass fiddle or anything where you want to capture a natural sound from a group of musicians.
Jeff Ardron –
(I am posting this comment under both RM-5 and RM-6.)
I built an RM-5 and an RM-6, and later got another pre-assembled RM-6 test-model from Artur.
First of all, these are both good models. I have used them now combined for easily a couple hundred hours of recording time.
Second, I cannot hear a difference between the pre-assembled and the kit RM-6, so I guess I did something right! But it also shows that the quality control is good enough to produce consistent products. I have not put the mics on the bench to test them, but if I can’t hear the difference, that is good enough for me. That said, the RM-5 and RM-6 do indeed sound different.
Personally, I find the RM-6 to be more of an all-round mic, and have been using a blumlein pair as my standard room mics for several months. The RM-5, on the other hand, has become my go-to for acoustic upright bass. I have a lot of other ribbon mics that also sound good on upright, including the RM-6, but I keep coming back to the RM-5. It just works (about 60 cm back, just below the f-holes to allow for the swing of the bow, tilted slightly upwards). I mean, why change a good thing? Rich, mellow, nice capture of string noise and fret clatter, but without being distracting.
I can recommend both of these mics. The kits are straight-forward (very simple when compared to a condenser kit) and good honest value. I look forward to the next creation! RM-7 beta testers? Count me in! 🙂
Gregory Phillips (verified owner) –
Artur is great to deal with first off. I started with just one of the rm-6 mics, but after a day or so of playing with it I knew I needed another one. The mic parts came packaged very professionally and arrived quick within a few days which was awesome considering it traveled across the Atlantic to the US. The build was very straight forward. I probably spent more time gather everything I needed and cleaning up than actually building it. I tried the mic on various sources from guitar cabinets, acoustic guitars, mandolin, drum overhead and even my terrible voice, hahaha. I was really impressed with the sound. The highs on the mic are smooth and not harsh like many mics you find in this price range. The low end really surprised me. As an overhead on drums it picked up the lows on my toms amazingly. I was truly surprised at how well it grabbed my tom sound with no additional mics to supplement it. On guitar, I threw it in front of my cab with a standard sm57. I was instantly in guitar tone heaven. While it sounds great alone on the cab, the sm helped grab some of the gritty high end tone to create this amazing sound. This is a fantastic mic and an incredible value. If you’re thinking about buying this mic, don’t hesitate! If you have any questions Artur is very quick to respond, he is first rate when it comes to customer service. I’ve attached a link to a song I recorded using the RM-6. The drums had the RM-6 overhead, sm57 on snare and beta52 on bass. Rhythm guitar had the RM-6 with a 57. Lead guitar just the RM-6. Bass was DI in. Vocals were a random condenser mic I had re-amped through my guitar cab.
https://soundcloud.com/gregoryphillips/repeat-evening
Andy Parker –
Excellent mics, bought a pair of them. Easy enough to assemble, though a bit fiddly when inserting the motor, due to close tolerances, but done with care it gives you a quiet, quality instrument.
Justin Hendy –
I absolutely love this mic. Since finishing the project I’ve used it to record vocals, acoustic guitar and strings and it haven’t been disappointed. Having never owned or used a ribbon mic before I have no direct comparison but all the usual traits associated with a ribbon mic were present such as the warm emphasis in the low mids and a gradual treble roll off. I can’t imagine a situation where I wouldn’t want to at least try this microphone before deciding how to proceed.
As for the build itself, being relatively new to pro audio DIY, I encountered some difficulties along the way. Artur’s help and guidance, via email, was brilliant and indispensable. I recommend that all novices start their journey into the world of pro audio DIY on this site as it’d be very hard to beat the customer service I’ve received during this build and my only other build (the Bumblebee Bb-D1).
Erik Lundh –
First two advices for your build (because you should build this mic).
1. Vacuum clean your desk before you even unpack anything. The magnets are unbelievably strong and microscopic metal particles will come flying to destroy the ribbon if you don’t.
2. The transformer is a little to big for the tube, therefore lubricate it a little with some silicone grease. Before you put it in the tube, pull a shoelace thru the transformer an ONLY move it inside the tube by pushing it with your fingers or a non-sharp stick and pull it back with the shoelace. NEVER try to move it by pulling the cables, it will brake.
Why do i know this? Never mind….
This mic sounds fantastic! Full and natural!
Arthur Is a blessing to do business with. The support is unreal!
If you got what it takes to put it together, I highly recommend the RM-6!
Allan Nordhøy –
I will buy components found here nowhere else.