Exploring my legendary RCA Type 77-DX Ribbon Microphone
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- čas přidán 7. 08. 2024
- This RCA Type 77-DX ribbon microphone has been in my family since new in 1954. So how does it stack up today? Let's tinker...
NOTE: The L1, L2, and L3 positions are basically variations of a bi-directional pickup pattern. L1 allowing some rear pickup, L2 less, and L3 even less. You can read all about the 77-DX and find original documents here www.coutant.org/rca77dx/
Music: "Pale Blue Dot" by Adam Young • Adam Young - Pale Blue...
My website and podcast links www.geektherapyradio.com/
Chapters
0:00 Intro
0:29 77-DX History
1:07 Settings
3:05 RAW Audio samples though different settings
6:12 Ribbon Mic Theory & Technique
7:52 My personal history with the 77-DX
9:30 Should YOU use a 77-DX?
10:06 Outro - Věda a technologie
Thanks for watching!
NOTE: The L1, L2, and L3 positions are basically variations of a bi-directional pickup pattern. L1 allowing some rear pickup, L2 less, and L3 even less. You can read all about the 77-DX and find original documents here www.coutant.org/rca77dx/
Very enjoyable - thank you for sharing this wonderful story of your family treasure. I’m a retired broadcast journalist (now “vintage” voice over actor) who “grew up” on the terrific RCA ribbon mics. My favorite was the 44BX but the 77DX was a very close second. So, frankly, I envy you!
As a 77 collector I enjoyed hearing the story of your family heirloom. Agree with all of your analysis btw,
Nice video! When you show the pattern selector at about 2:40 and say that you're using the N pattern, it is in fact showing the L2 pattern on-screen. The marks next to the screwdriver slot form a sort of "arrow" to point to the way it's set. These mics are fun to play with! I'm developing a matrix to sort of catalog the sounds of the various combinations of rolloff and pattern, to get a sense for what works nicely for different scenarios. The V2 rolloff is pretty severe, as you point out, so it probably isn't going to be useful for a lot of things. My DX (which I believe still has the original ribbon, or at least quite an old one) sounds almost condenser-like in the U position with either the M or V1 rolloff. I'm surprised at how crisp the highs are, while still keeping that buttery ribbon smoothness. Enjoy the experimentation!
Hey this was really a great run through of the 77-DX. LOVE that you included the family history of the mic, really a neat story.
Sorta feel like I liked the sound best with no EQ/Comp in U-M position. Nevertheless, you earned a subscriber. May you have continued success with your podcast & Houston-based radio show. :)
Awesome video❤️ crisp sound ❤️❤️❤️
Gorgeous sounding mic!
I have a pair of these 77 DX mics and both of them have a subjectively much wider range. I don't know what years they were made in, or if RCA made improvements later, but they both sound fantastic and very wide range on "M" selection in comparison with what I heard on this video. I recorded some live music without EQ and I was impressed. I have been using both a Scarlett 2i2 and a Behringer UMC2002HD with absolutely no issues with gain. I'm surprised that this 77DX sounded so subjectively narrow range. Ribbon mics generally have less mass to drive than dynamic mics and they usually provide for more detail. Large diaphragm condensers have even less mass and provide for even better detail.
Always wondered why that small "bite" on the edge of the grey umber section, below the RCA logo (see at 9:55). Mine has that also. I have most of the 77 family in my co!!ection; 77A, 77B, 77D. Don't want the "C" with that silly ring at the base. Breathtaking response on string instruments.
I would really recommend a re ribbon, this mike sounds dead to me.
I have a rca 77D, and it sounded identical to this before having it re ribboned.
This sounds somewhat anemic to me (without eq)
these 77s sound great without much compression or Eq.
A re ribbon is necessary to keep the mic sounding as it should..
Imagine it as changing a tube in your amp, Its not changing the amps history or soul, it’s keeping the amp working the best as it can.
Fantastic advice. Any ballpark on what it costs?
It's not expensive. I had mnine done at Big D Broadcast Exchange around 2014 or so. At the time, it was only about $100.00, IIRC. Great video, thanks!
I agree. Should have a lot more low end. Did you ever get it re-ribboned?
Nice
I own a D and DX.
Something is wrong with this 77. Sounds defective, thin, weird. Bad ribbon? My 77 sounds full and forward. Maybe re-title the video to "Exploring my defective legendary RCA Type 77-DX Ribbon Microphone", so people aren't misinformed.
You're the 2nd comment of the same consideration. I may have mine restored and make a follow-up video.