Best Ribbon Microphones in 2022

Last update: November 13, 2022

Are ribbon mics fragile?

Ribbon mics are often thought to be fragile, but they are actually quite tough. They can take a lot of abuse and still produce great sound. The only time you need to be careful with them is when using them in high wind conditions.

Are ribbon mics good for acoustic guitar?

Ribbon mics are often used for acoustic guitar because they have a very natural sound. They are also very sensitive, so they can pick up all the subtleties of the guitar.

Are ribbon mics good for live performance?

Ribbon mics are often used in live settings because of their ability to capture a clear and natural sound. They are especially well-suited for capturing the sound of acoustic instruments and vocals.

Are ribbon mics noisy?

Ribbon mics are not noisy. In fact, they are some of the quietest mics available. Ribbon mics are ideal for recording quiet sources such as acoustic instruments and vocals.


Dual Lavalier Microphone, KIMAFUN 2 Lapel Clip-on Omnidirectional Condenser Mics Set for Dual Interview, Recording, Vlog, YouTube, Smartphone, Camera, Tablets, Laptop, Android, iPhone, 4020-Dual Review:


I wasn't prepared for the quality to be as good as it is. It includes clips to attach to garments and comes with two microphones. The audio now emanates from your device's 3.5mm jack, which you just plug in.I was concerned about background noise because it is omnidirectional and records from all directions, but it is not a problem.People commented on how much better the sound was than when we used the phone mic when we used it for a Facebook live broadcast, even with a DJ playing in the background. The sound is clean and clear.The batteries are already in the box, so you can start using it right away.



Lavalier Lapel Microphone 236" Professional Grade Clip On Omnidirectional Pick Up Pattern for Flexible Low Handling Noise Mic with Accurate Voice Recording for Phone/Camera/Audio Devices (Black) Review:


I actually should have purchased a lavalier sooner, but when I needed one I didn't have the money to buy one, so I used whatever microphone I had available and attempted to keep it out of the shot. With possibilities for usage with a standard camcorder, computer, or phone, the Pixel MK1 is a very cost-effective wired solution. Hearing sounds from it is somewhat crucial to determining whether it is worthwhile to purchase. As a result, I've included audio samples from the ModMic 5, Yeti, and Pixel in the accompanying video.Although not the greatest microphone in my comparison, it stands out due to its form factor and cost. Having a microphone on the subject when filming an interview or a documentary is a major advantage for audio quality compared to using the audio from your camera's built-in microphone. Even though a wireless solution would be preferable for a moving topic, I believe that for the price it does more than anybody might reasonably expect. This problem can be remedied by having the user plug the lav into their phone and record their voice from there. Again, as a low-cost option, I believe it to be very effective, especially if you want to use it for interviews or are able to record audio with it independently (as I said above) so there isn't a cable separating your camera from the subject.



Professional Grade Lavalier Microphone with Adapter Compatible with iPhone - Lapel Microphone for iPhone 5 6 7 8 X 11 Pro Max - iPhone Compatible External Microphone - iPhone XR, XS, XS Max Microphone Review:


I purchased these so I could record a book's audio version (for my own personal purposes). I didn't want to spend $300 or more on the high-end "beginning" setup that many podcasters utilise. I only needed something simple that will record audio more effectively than my iPhone's built-in microphone.Utilizing this is pretty simple. possesses an adaptor for my iPhone to fit their input jack. Fair is all I need to describe the audio quality for my needs. I will, however, say this far more effectively than I anticipated.For what it accomplishes, the pricing is quite reasonable.



MXL R144 Ribbon Microphone with Shockmount Review:


This microphone was not a freebie or a product for review; I paid for it.If you have the correct setup to utilize it with, this ribbon mic is among the greatest deals out there. When connected to a good preamp like an API 312, a good equalization like the Warm Audio WA-EQP, a good compressor like the UA 1176, and finally your DAW or other input, the microphone may sound low in output volume and dull in the higher frequencies when used alone. Are you following me? With a little signal processing, you can use the incredible sound this microphone produces to create a genuinely remarkable end product.I have more than 50 microphones, several of which are antique AKG classics. Many of my homemade LDC mics began as MXL 2001; with modifications, they easily rival with or surpass Mojave microphone performance for less than half of the M.A.P. pricing. I've also created my own LDC microphones utilizing high quality components.My ribbon instrument microphone is a Royer R-121, which is essentially the industry standard. I frequently pair this microphone with a Grace m-801 preamplifier in ribbon mode, which feeds an Apogee audio converter with an equalizer and compressor. I'm using four different Mesa Boogie Dual Rectifier amplifiers or vintage Marshall 100-watt clones to drive four distinct Marshall 4x12 cabinets that are loaded with Celestion speakers. We have two isolation rooms at the back of our studio where the speaker cabinets are located, giving us a great view of the raw sound of these microphones in the control room.This is my first experience with the brand-new, unmodified MXL R144 ribbon microphone, which retails for a reasonable price.I've used it to record some male vocals while mounting it next to a 4x12, and I can tell that it has a natural response that is smooth and comparable in character to the Royer R-121's ribbon sound. With EQ and compression, both of these microphones sound significantly better.The MXL R144 has a very natural sounding voice mic with substantial bass when used up close; smooth is the term to describe the sound. I've never been a fan of the R-121 for vocals, but with EQ and compression I prefer the MXL R144. These ribbon mics can withstand a lot of high frequency increase without sounding piercing.The MXL R144 sounds incredible with the WA-EQP equalizer because you can contour the overall frequency response to be whatever you want and it never sounds harsh, strident, or piercing like all the cheap Chinese large diaphragm condenser microphones do. The R-121 has a slightly brighter sound from the rear when used close to the source, but I have not really heard a similar effect from the MXL R144. Since their frequency response is smooth and un-hyped, ribbon microphones in general excel at handling high frequency boost, which is what makes them so popular for recording. This is in stark contrast to a bright dynamic microphone like the SM-57.Before obtaining a second microphone to alter and customize, I wanted to test this one out. In order to evaluate my modified inventions against one factory stock item. Right now, I'm enjoying it as is; it sounds wonderful!The shock mount would be my only complaint if I had to make one. When used up close, the knobs that you pull to open the shock mount protrude a bit too far and can make it difficult to place the device optimally. On the plus side, it comes with a decent shock mount that is included in the $88 Prime delivered price. It's not the finest, but it works well. A lovely plastic carrying bag with foam padding and die-cut slots for the microphone and shock mount is also provided. This compact case is preferable than another carrying case the size of a briefcase that takes up room in my storage location.My Royer R-121 has been with me since 2007, and I've always taken good care of it. I could have purchased 11 of these MXL for the money I paid back then and still taken my lovely GF out to a decent restaurant for supper. I probably would not have purchased the Royer if I had already owned one of these MXL; instead, I would have invested any money I had saved on additional signal processing, such as the WA-EQP and my most recent acquisition, the WA76. These audio equipment parts sound astoundingly excellent.I don't believe there is a ribbon microphone that can compare to the MXL R-144 for less than $100. Good music to everyone!After using this mic for a year, I still like it. This microphone has personality and gnarliness; I wouldn't call it high-fidelity. It's still a good deal. I still haven't had a chance to modify it.



Golden Age Project R1 MKII Ribbon Microphone Review:


Due to my obsession with gear and the fact that this microphone costs ridiculous amounts of money, it took me about two seconds to even consider purchasing it. Just read this review and buy it instead of reading reviews about who compares it to whom or anything. I mean Come on, it's a $150 Chinese ribbon mic! Why in the world would you want it to sound like a $2K ribbon when it won't? It sounds exactly like every other microphone, which is fine for some uses if it's in the proper place. When used in conjunction with a quality preamp, the R1 produces those mellow, forgiving tones from the 1940s and 1950s. That being said, it's dreadful on some voices and fantastic on others, and the same is true of instruments. Because of this, this microphone is always ready to use, and I don't care if a drummer knocks it over or a singer blows out the ribbon. On this, I recorded both male and female lead voices, matching the EQ using $1000 LDCs. The aggressive nasal squeak of the LDCs is typically very noticeable when singers hear the A/B comparison, and others prefer the ribbon's more natural roll off. If the GAP R1 mk2 is your first ribbon microphone, it will definitely whet your thirst for more as it grows on you.



ART AR5 ACTIVE RIBBON MICROPHONE Review:


tried using this microphone as an active ribbon mic. Given that it is a ribbon type, the integrated 48vdc preamp provides a sufficient output.I gave it a try and thought it had a VERY great sound, so I decided to use it for my M/S recording setup.It's not a Royer, but it is a pretty smooth, not very dark, high-end mic.I think it's a great deal at a penny and a half! Great for recording with an acoustic guitar.has a sturdy shock mount. Proximity effect is not overpowering but provides closer voices with a pleasant lift.


Are ribbon mics omnidirectional?

Ribbon microphones are not omnidirectional. They are, however, bidirectional, meaning they pick up sound from the front and back of the microphone. This makes them ideal for recording both vocals and instruments in a live setting.

Are ribbon mics worth it?

Do ribbon mics need 48V?

Ribbon mics are some of the most popular microphones used in studios today. But do they really need 48V to work properly? The answer is no, they don't necessarily need 48V. However, it can help them to produce a clearer, more detailed sound. Ribbon mics are known for their smooth, natural sound. They're often used on vocals and acoustic instruments. 48V phantom power is typically used to power condenser microphones. But it can also be used with ribbon mics. The extra voltage helps to drive

Do ribbon mics need a preamp?

Ribbon mics are extremely sensitive and therefore require a preamp that can provide enough gain without adding noise. Many modern preamps have enough gain for ribbon mics, but some older preamps may not. If you're not sure if your preamp has enough gain, it's best to err on the side of caution and use a preamp designed specifically for ribbon mics.

Does a ribbon mic need phantom?

No, a ribbon mic does not need phantom power.

How much gain do ribbon mics need?

Ribbon mics are known for their smooth, natural sound. They are often used on vocals and acoustic instruments, as well as for overhead and room miking. While ribbon mics are generally very low-noise, they do need a bit of gain to sound their best. Most ribbon mics will sound good with about 40-50 dB of gain. Some may need a bit more, while others may be fine with less. If you're not sure how much gain your ribbon mic needs, start with a lower setting and increase the gain until you achieve