Ribbon Mics

The sound of early recorded music, ribbon microphones immediately bring the ‘old school’ tone to a production. With a smooth high-frequency roll off, low output level and figure-8 polar patterns, ribbons continue to be a tool in the arsenal of many engineers and producers to this day. Whilst older models are delicate and need the utmost care, modern ribbon mics are just as sturdy as their condenser and dynamic counterparts.

With iconic designs, many ribbon mics are immediately recognisable - the Coles 4038 looks like nothing else on the market and the RCA 44 is the quintessential early broadcast mic. Generally ribbons are passive and fearful of phantom power, but a new generation of ribbons utilise active technology to make them more robust as well as increasing the output level and extending the frequency response. The AEA KU5A or the sE Electronics RNR1 Rupert Neve Ribbon Microphone NEED +48v to deliver their tone.