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I purchased my PPA R-2 about 2 years ago. First time I plugged it in, it had low levels and some 60 Hz fuzz in one side. I gave the product the benefit of the doubt, thinking: Well, it's my first ribbon mic. Maybe my preamps are the problem. I'll save up my money for an appropriate preamp and try again.
Well, last month I found out about the Cloudlifter, so I bought one of those immediately; and this month I scored a great deal on a Millennia HV-3 stereo mic pre. So, just today, I plugged my PPA R-2 in to what I expected to be, more or less, its optimal preamp gain chain, and guess what? The 60 Hz fuzz in one channel (the "TOP" capsule) is still there.
I was expecting the PPA to be, as advertised, an adequate stereo mic for chamber music recital recordings, where dynamic response, sonic detail, and stereo picture all need to be truly pristine. The sample recording posted on the website led me to expect that the PPA is intended for such an application. My PPA R-2 has not lived up to that promise.
I've used it as a room mic above a quiet drum kit in an acoustic rock setting, and it works fine for that. I've used only the bottom capsule as a mono ribbon mic at fairly close range, aiming for a "vintage mono ribbon mic" sound--No problem there. But for mission-critical high definition true stereo concert hall recordings, I'm sorry, but the PPA R-2 is not all it's cracked up to be.
Rating:  [2 of 5 Stars!] |
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