(Mic #2 of 2) Tested and Working! RARE Stellar RM-4 RM4 Dual-Ribbon Figure-8 Microphone with original Wood Box & Shockmount Black/Gold Golden Vocal/Room Bi-Directional Mike #2 of 2!

Tested and working. Very nice. Safe packing / shipping. Photos are of actual item you are considering.

2023 Update: I'm an idiot. Some of the things I wrote previously (see "2022 Update" below) about differences between the "front" and "back" of the mic might not be accurate or useful. I tried to re-test/re-confirm my results with a new test session. My prior tests -- and my new tests -- were very unscientific. Before you read all the excruciating details below (which I'm sure you're very excited to do) let me point out that

A) I have TWO of these mics -- I was going to keep one, but I've again decided to offer them on Reverb, because

B) These are quite rare and in great condition, and the pair would make a very nice addition to someone's microphone collection, because

C) These are nice Ribbon mics, and

D) You can buy just one, but then each microphone will be torn away from its other half, living out life as a sad and lonely shell of what it once was, always missing the only friend and family it ever knew. :-(   Oh well.

Now on to the show . . .

-Observation #1: This time I tested for a much longer time-period (20+ minutes), whereas before I just did a couple of minutes. It seems like as the mic "warms up** " the Front and Back start to sound/behave more alike. (**I don't want "warms up" to be misunderstood -- no, this is not a tube mic, and no, this mic does not use phantom power -- it is passive. However, it does have electrical components that have electrons moving inside them propelled by the ribbon, and it appears that as the microphone acclimates to being used over a short period most differences between Front and Back become harder to discern (not sure if it's electronics, ribbons, or my imagination).

-Observation #2: As a Figure-8 mic, response and behavior is very dependent on microphone orientation -- DUH! In the new tests, I realized that by slightly rotating a few degrees (on any axis) the sound, loudness, freq. response, proximity effect, feedback threshold (and freq.) etc. varies.

-Observation #3: How my idiot hands are holding the mic at any moment can change how the mic sounds/responds -- DUH! In the new tests, I realized I was changing the test results by not only the orientation of the mic, but how I was holding the mic -- which fingers, where, how firmly, etc. It turns out these factors can change the resonant characteristics of the microphone body -- not like I really understand what that means or anything. But then again, who does?

Summary: in addition to being a non-scientist idiot, I also have very little experience with Ribbon microphones and very little experience with the Figure-8/Bi-Polar pickup pattern (but I do have some experience with Bi-Polar disorder). Although I *think* it sounds like there are *some* differences between the Front and Back of each RM-4 I tested, the differences are definitely Not as clear-cut or dramatic as I described in my first description (down below). For full transparency -- and to help make sense of all this hell of an essay -- I'm keeping the full text of my first description down below, so you can enjoy it over and over again -- maybe each night before you go to sleep.

[ 2022 Description -- NOTE: Not everything I concluded when I wrote the following appears to be accurate--please see above. ] I recently re-tested this mic and everything seems to work good. I own two (2) of these mics, and they both have very similar characteristics. This mic has a Figure-8 pattern, and the "back" of the mic sounds slightly different from the "front" of the mic. The back seems to be slightly louder, and the frequency-response of the two sides is slightly different. The back side seems to have more proximity effect. If I face the mic towards a monitor/speaker and turn up the gain to approach the feedback threshold, feedback is easier to make happen when the back side is facing the speaker than the front (the front needs more gain -- again, the back seems to be slightly louder). Also, the frequency of the feedback is different depending on which side is facing the speaker -- the back generates a lower frequency feedback, the front generates a higher frequency feedback. I just gently edge into the feedback as one testing technique -- I don't let the feedback continue or let it get loud. Because both mics that I own behave in such a similar way, I believe the slight variation between the front and back is by design. I explain all this so potential buyers understand this variation and aren't expecting a Figure-8 Ribbon mic with a perfectly symmetric frequency response on both sides of the mic. ]

I have this RM-4 and another RM-4 listed on Reverb. Both are in great condition with a few very slight cosmetic imperfections which I try to photograph and describe.

There are some hairline "scratches" in the gold finish that do not show up in the photographs, and this also has a small greenish-discoloration "splotch" (see photos #3 & #4, just to the left of the "RM-4" text) and some small "splotches" on the back (see photo #8) which look like maybe liquid drops dried there--these slight "splotches" on the back *might* be able to be cleaned off, but they aren't coming off with just a damp cotton cloth, and I'm not going to risk messing up the finish with anything stronger than water and cotton.

Includes good (original) shockmount and nice original wood box, both of which are also in great shape with just a couple of slight cosmetic imperfections (see photos).

Photos are of the actual item you are considering buying. Only what is pictured is what's included.

Very safe packing and shipping with full insurance.

From the Manufacturer:

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The Stellar RM-4's response is characterized by a deep, full low end; well defined, realistic mids: and sweet natural, musical highs.

Stunning Black and Gold Body and Mesh Color Scheme.

Fast, accurate detailed transients, ultra-high 140dB SPL capability, overall stunning "you are there" realism.

Figure 8 bidirectional pickup pattern.

Manufactured with the finest materials with a machined housing and advanced shock mount construction for the best structural integrity and reliability.

Specifications:

Ribbon type and Dimensions: DUAL pure aluminum 2.5 microns thick. 35mm (1.4 inches) long and 4mm (.16 inches) wide.

Pickup patter: Figure 8 bidirectional.

Sensitivity: 2.2mV/Pa

Output impedance: 600 Ohms

Maximum SPL: (.5% THD at 1000Hz) 140dB

Microphone connector: Standard 3-pin XLR

Net weight: 496g (16 ounces)

Dual low tension 35mm (1.4 inches) long, 4mm (.16 inches) wide and 2.5 micron thick aluminum ribbons designed for flat and well balanced audio reproduction.

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