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BidirectionalBlue Microphones Woodpecker

  Street: $999 / MSRP: $1,299 Bidirectional Active Ribbon Microphone

Blue Microphones Woodpecker

Description

The Woodpecker is a phantom-powered ribbon mic, following the model of Royer’s R122 (which was the first “active” ribbon design).

The pickup pattern is bidirectional. The ribbon is not offset, so the sound from the front and back of the mic is the same.

The frequency response plot shows an exaggerated low-end response, peaking around +6dB at 30Hz, and a bump between 5k and 10k.

Reviewers commend the mic’s low noise floor; due to the active electronics, less preamp gain is needed for typical uses.

The mic ships in a “gorgeous” Cherry wood box with a brass shockmount.

MIX, 2008

With the Woodpecker, the company nailed its first foray into the ribbon category. It rendered nearly anything that I threw at it with such personality and tone that it practically gave me shivers.

SoundOnSound, 2007

Blue’s intention with the Woodpecker was apparently to create a ribbon with an unusually extended high-frequency response, and our tests bore this out, showing a top-end response in the same ball park as the Crowley & Tripp Studio Vocalist.

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The mic was released in 2007.

Specifications

Pickup Patterns Pads & Filters
Bidirectional (26 mV/Pa; 20 - 20,000 Hz)
Ribbon Construction Impedance SPL/Noise
Aluminum ribbon 50 Ohms (Low) Max SPL: 136 dB
Self-noise: 22.0 dB(A)
Weight Length Max Diameter Interface(s)
725g (25.57oz) 227mm (8.94'') 45mm (1.77'')
  • 3-pin XLR male (1)
Power Specifications
  • Requires phantom power
  • Phantom voltage: 48v

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