10 Reviews: Best Ribbon Microphone for Recording (Apr 2024)

The MXL R144 produces spectacular sound for voice and instrument recordings and is a great microphone for broadcast applications, thanks to its figure-8 polar pattern and 1.8-micron aluminum ribbon. The R144 also excels on acoustic instruments, strings, and horns, with high SPL capacity, excellent side rejection, and pinpoint directivity. Furthermore, the narrow ribbon provides sensitivity and a clear sound that is ideal for voice and broadcast applications. The MXL R144 might be the first ribbon microphone in your home studio on a budget.

"Value can’t be beat. If you need to capture that rich bottom end, this mic is insane! Makes guitar cabs sound nice and big, the vocals are crystalline. Great addition to any studio."

by Defcore

The Golden Age Project R1 MK2 is a ribbon microphone in a retro design. It produces a natural and warm sound, similar to that of traditional ribbon microphones. The extraordinarily high Max SPL gives it the capacity to handle extremely loud sounds such as overheads, guitar cabinets, and even kick drums with ease. If you’re looking for a microphone that captures all of the characteristics of antique ribbon microphones at an inexpensive price, the Golden Age Project R1 MK2 is a great choice.

"I'm blown away by how awesome this microphone sounds - especially considering the price. What a value!"

by Dave W

The Avantone Pro CR-14 is a well-known “Red Ribbon” microphone with a distinctive vintage body shape and excellent performance at a low price. It rivals the smooth response of classic ribbon microphones, which are much sought after. The best materials were used to provide a very solid feel, excellent structural integrity, and durable durability. The sensitivity rating of this dual-ribbon microphone is higher than that of most single ribbon microphones on the market.

"Love this mic! I use it to record acoustic and vocals. Under $300, I've tried multiple Shure's, Audio Technica's, Blue's, Sennheiser's, Rode's, and this one is definitely my favorite."

by eric yun

Unlike other traditional ribbon microphones, the sE Electronics VR1 Voodoo blends the smoothness of ribbon microphones with the high-end extension of condenser mics. VR1 Voodoo is a full-frequency ribbon microphone similar to the well-known sE Electronics RNR1, but at a lower price. The result is a recording of acoustic instruments and guitar cabs that is very detailed, open, and realistic.

"An incredible microphone. If you've never had a ribbon, this is a great place to start! With the recent price drop it should be in every engineers budget."

by brad

If you want a ribbon microphone that also has the high-end extension of condenser mics, like the sE Electronics VR1, here’s a less expensive option. The sE Electronics X1R is a multipurpose speaker that produces high-quality, clear sound. Overall, it’s a little ribbon microphone with the sound quality of two Voodoo versions. The X1 R, the second member of the X1 Series, takes the enchantment of classic ribbon mics into the contemporary day with a rugged build that can withstand any SPL – this is a ribbon you can take with you on the road.

"Great sound! I only use it for vocal covers and YouTube videos but it’s very clear! Definitely would recommend :)"

by Jordan S Radecki

The frequency response of the Rode NTR is broad and smooth, ranging from 20 to 20K Hz. Rode NTR, unlike other ribbon microphones, has a phenomenally high sensitivity, making it ideal for recording and broadcasting. Any movement and vibration sounds are reduced thanks to the unique internal shock mount design. NTR is another Rode product that is noted for its exceptional quality and low pricing. Designed to look as good in the world’s best recording studios and concert theaters as it does in your own home studio.

"It sounds like other excellent ribbon mics you may have heard -but with less coloration, increased frequency response, and excellent build quality."

by Jim Winterbourne

Almost all ribbon microphones have a figure 8 polar pattern, which might be inconvenient in certain recording scenarios. The good news is that the Beyerdynamic M160, a hyper-cardioid polar pattern ribbon microphone, is now available. Despite the fact that the Max SPL documentation does not specify, we feel it has a high Max SPL since it can tolerate loud noises without shattering the ribbon. The Beyerdynamic M160 is a flexible speaker with a silky smooth tone. For most studios, it’s a must-have ribbon microphone.

"This is a great mic. When I first got it I tried it at various distances on a cranked guitar amp. The mic is legendary for a reason."

by Tech

This is another strong contender from Royer’s microphone lineup. R-121, like its older sibling, is designed for long-term use. It’s a fantastic live performer as well as in the studio. The offset ribbon design of the R-10 enables you to adjust the ribbon closer to the front of the mic. This has a number of effects, including increasing the mic’s maximum sound pressure level and making the back of the mic brighter than the front.

"The mic “clip” is a great design. The adjustment screws on the mic holder are solid, heavy and feel very high quality."

by silverocket

Say welcome to the Samson VR88, a multifunctional, efficient, and attractive device with a shockingly low price tag. It contains about everything you’d want in a ribbon mic, plus a lot more, and you can use it in your project studio to its full potential. The mic’s art deco-styled exterior is one of its most distinctive characteristics. It’s not only appealing to the sight, but it’s also very durable. To ensure optimum sensitivity and the proper impedance match for the ribbon element, the mic has an inbuilt audio transformer and a phantom-powered FET preamplifier.

"This is a fantastic mic, rolling rich bass, solid tones, a near center drop off reducing noise contamination - and it comes in a solid case."

by Michael Demeritt

The Blue Kiwi Microphone Kc is a high-quality condenser microphone that may be used with any sound source. The multi-pattern design allows you to record in any scenario and comes with all of the necessary attachments. Unlike other multi-pattern condenser microphones, which only have three or five polar patterns, the Blue Kiwi has nine total pattern possibilities, including numerous in-between options. The ability to tighten up your cardioid pattern sufficiently to completely isolate a single instrument in a noisy situation appeals immediately.

"We use it mainly for vocals, but it sounds AMAZING on guitars and we've even got great results using it on drums."

by Amazon Customer