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The 8 Best ribbon microphones of 2024

Are you trying to find ribbon microphones among various brands on the market but aren’t sure where to begin? To assist you in finding the right one, we’ve put together a list of the 7 best to help you pick the perfect one!

We investigated and evaluated a number of the top-selling ribbon microphones on the market in order to create our list of the best. Making a decision among the many options available is never simple. There are an infinite number of models available, each with a distinct price. And as you’ll find out, the best options aren’t usually the ones you imagine! This comparison is rich and relevant because of the numerous factors that were employed. You will find products featured in this ranking not only based on their pricing but also on their features and other customers reviews. To write this review, we completed 19 hours of research and did 36 ribbon microphones tests. You won’t need to pick products at random any more. If you’re unsure of what to look for, browse our list and consult the buying guide!

An overview of our top picks

Table of contents

The best ribbon microphones you can buy today

No. 1
MXL R144 Multi-Purpose Ribbon Microphone with Shockmount, Purple (MXL R144)
  • Classic ribbon sound with a rich smooth midrange
  • Figure-8 polar pattern that naturally captures instruments and room sound
  • High SPL capability—ideal for horns and electric guitars
  • Compact design that makes mic placement easy
  • Great mic to broaden the tonal palette of your sound
SaleNo. 2
SE ELECTRONICS - X1 Series Ribbon Microphone and Clip
  • Frequency Range- 20hz to 16khz
  • Self Noise-23db
  • 2.5 um aluminum ribbon
  • Sensitivity- 1.78mV/Pa
  • Impedance-200 ohms
No. 3
Nady RSM-5 Ribbon Microphone - Unique compact shape perfect for close miking, includes microphone clip and soft cloth pouch
  • Low-tension 45mm long, 2-micron thick aluminum ribbon design with rich, warm, classic ribbon microphone sound characteristics and realism with fast, accurate transient response.
  • Unique compact shape for easy, unobtrusive microphone placement perfect for close-miking guitar amps, cabinets, brass instruments, strings, pianos, percussion, vocals, room ambience and more
  • >135 dB SPL capability
  • Supplied with a microphone clip and leather pouch
No. 4
MXL R77 Professional Ribbon Microphone With Traditional Yoke Mount Form Factor
  • High SPL handles electric guitar, horns and percussion
  • Smooth transient response and stunning realism
  • Classic body design with gold and chrome metal finish
  • Figure 8 polar pattern for outstanding side rejection and precise directivity
No. 5
Royer R-10 Ribbon Microphone
  • Dynamic Ribbon Microphone with Figure-8 Polar Pattern
No. 6
Golden Age Project R1 Active MKIII Active Ribbon Microphone
  • Unmatched natural & musical sound of a classical ribbon microphone combined with the constent sound quality offered by addition of active electronics
  • The typical large and mellow ribbon sound quality with a very smooth top end and an extended low end
  • A Bipolar/FET descrete low-noise amplifier with a low impedance transformer less output stage, powered by standard 48V phantom power
  • It raises the level and isolates the ribbon and gain make-up transformer from the outside world
  • Removable microphone cable and padded case included
  • Switchable -10db pad and 100hz low cut filter
No. 7
sE Electronics Voodoo VR1 Ribbon Microphone
8 Consomer Reviews
sE Electronics Voodoo VR1 Ribbon Microphone
  • Diaphragm: 2.5 aluminium ribbonFrequency Response: 20Hz-18kHzSensitivity: 1.6mV/Pa -56 1.5dBPolar Pattern: Figure 8Impedance: 300 OhmsEquivalent Noise Level: 17dB (A weighted)Max SPL for 0.5% THD@1000Hz: 135dBConnector: 3-pin XLR
  •  Until the Voodoo Series, one of the only ribbon mics in the world to perform across 20Hz-20kHz was sE's own Rupert Neve collaboration, the RNR1
  • This was achieved using state-of-the-art custom transformers and a Rupert Neve-designed circuit to reveal HF usually absent
  • With the Voodoo mics, full frequency response is achieved using a clever mechanical device designed by Siwei Zou, the company CEO, and a hand-tensioned ribbon constructed by highly specialized technicians in sE's capsule room
  •  The result is a superbly detailed, open and natural recording of acoustic instruments and guitar cabs
No. 8
ART AR5 Active Ribbon Microphone
  • ART AR5 ACTIVE RIBBON MICROPHONE
No. 9
Stagg Ribbon Microphone (SRM70)
  • A classic ribbon microphone featuring vivid, natural sound and quick transient response
  • Perfect for vocals and a wide range of instruments, on the stage or in the studio
  • Polar pattern: Figure-8 - Ribbon: Pure aluminium
  • Sensitivity: - 52 dB +/- 2 dB (0 dB = 1 V / Pa at 1 kHz) - Frequency response: 20 Hz to 18 kHz - Output impedance: 350 ohms +/- 20 % (at 1 kHz) - Maximum sound pressure level: 148 dB (at 1 kHz ? 1 % THD)
  • Shock mount included
No. 10
Avantone CR-14 Ribbon Microphone
  • Audio
  • Frequency response: 30Hz to 15kHz
  • Max SPL: 145 dB
  • Connectivity: XLR
  • Pattern and type
No. 11
Golden Age Project R1 MKII Ribbon Microphone
34 Consomer Reviews
Golden Age Project R1 MKII Ribbon Microphone
  • Passive Ribbon Microphone with Figure-8 Polar Pattern
SaleNo. 12
Beyerdynamic M160 Double Ribbon Microphone - Hypercardioid, Wired, Wireless
  • Unique double ribbon microphone transducer with hypercardioid polar pattern
  • Extended frequency response
  • Excellent transparency and transient response
  • Compact and rugged design
  • Warm and natural sound.Microphone Frequency Response:40 - 18,000 Hz
No. 13
Golden Age Project R1 Tube Active Active Ribbon Microphone (Renewed)
5 Consomer Reviews
Golden Age Project R1 Tube Active Active Ribbon Microphone (Renewed)
  • Active Tube Ribbon Mic with Figure-8 Polar Pattern
  • 12AX7 Buffer Amp
No. 14
Royer Labs R-121 Large-Element Ribbon Microphone, Nickel
  • High SPL capabilities
  • No internal active electronics to overload or produce distortion up to maximum SPL rating
  • Extremely low residual noise
  • Ribbon element not affected by heat or humidity
  • No high frequency phase distortion
No. 15
AEA R84 Passive Ribbon Microphone
  • Large Ribbon Studio Microphone w/Cable Carrying Case
No. 16
R88 MK2 Stereo Ribbon Microphone
  • Item Package Dimension: 18.0L X 8.0W X 7.0H Inches
  • Item Package Weight - 7.5 Pounds
  • Item Package Quantity - 1
  • Product Type - Microphone
No. 17
Apex Apex210B Large Element Ribbon Recording Figure-8 Microphone with Padded Deluxe Carry Bag and Aluminum Case
5 Consomer Reviews
Apex Apex210B Large Element Ribbon Recording Figure-8 Microphone with Padded Deluxe Carry Bag and Aluminum Case
  • Large Element Classic Ribbon Microphone Design
  • Updated Neutral Sounding Low Interference Windscreen
  • Fast Accurate Transient Response
  • Figure-8 Polar Pattern
No. 18
Avantone Pro CR-14
  • Dual ribbon microphone
No. 19
AEA R84A Ribbon Microphone
  • High Sensitivity: The microphone has an audio sensitivity of 12 decibels, providing clear and detailed audio recordings.
  • Bidirectional Polar Pattern: The microphone features a bidirectional polar pattern that captures sound from both the front and back of the microphone.
  • XLR Connectivity: The microphone has XLR connectivity, making it compatible with a wide range of recording devices and mixers.
  • Durable Construction: The microphone is made from brass and has a black and silver finish, ensuring long-lasting use.
  • Compact Lavalier Design: The microphone has a compact lavalier design that allows for discreet and convenient use.
No. 20
R88 MK2 Stereo Ribbon Microphone
  • High Sensitivity: The microphone has an audio sensitivity of 45 decibels, providing clear and detailed audio recordings.
  • Durable Construction: Made from aluminum, the microphone is built to last and withstand the rigors of professional use.
  • Bidirectional Polar Pattern: The microphone features a bidirectional polar pattern that captures sound from both the front and back of the source.
  • XLR Connectivity: The microphone has XLR connectivity, allowing for easy connection to professional audio equipment.
  • Compact Lavalier Design: The microphone is designed as a lavalier, making it easy to mount on a person for interviews, live events, and more.

How to choose a good ribbon microphones

Does the idea of finding a fantastic ribbon microphones make you anxious? When it comes to purchasing this product, specifically when deciding which model to select, has your head been spinning between options? You are not alone if that is the case. We are aware of the pressure involved in the purchasing process!

Your presence here indicates that you are interested in ribbon microphones. Before choosing which product would be the best for your needs after being inundated with information, locate a reliable source with genuine selections. You can get that information from a variety of sources, including buying guides and rating websites, word-of-mouth recommendations from friends and family, online discussion forums where users can share their own experiences, product reviews that can be found all over the internet, and YouTube channels. You can only get the right product through exhaustive analysis. But you realize that’s not always simple. In order to ease your concerns, we have taken the time to develop a list of the top ribbon microphones products available right now. You might be wondering how we came up with the list. How was this buying guide developed?

First, we used our algorithms to gather as much reliable data as we could about these products. To verify all the data gathered, we used both artificial intelligence and a lot of algorithms.
Then, our experts used criteria that are recognized in the business to evaluate them according to their quality to price ratio, allowing us to choose the top ribbon microphones on the market right now!

The selection of the goods is not arbitrary. Before creating a list, we take into account a number of factors. Below are some of the criteria discussed:

Brand Value: What happens if you choose a dubious brand just because it appears to be a good deal? So the likelihood of receiving a product with a short shelf life increases. That is due to the fact that well-known brands have a reputation to uphold, while others do not. Top ribbon microphones brands strive to provide some distinctive traits that set them apart from the competition. So, hopefully one or more of the items on our list will be perfect for you.

Features: Useful features are all you need, not tons of them. We consider the important aspects and select the top ribbon microphones based on those.

Specifications: Numbers always help you measure the quality of a product in a quantitative way. We try to find products with higher specifications, but with the right balance.

Quality: A product’s quality may always be quantified with the aid of numbers. We look for goods with better standards that strike the proper balance. The best quality product that gets highly appreciated and recommended by experienced users.

Customer ratings:  Would it be accurate to suggest that the ribbon microphones were used by hundreds of customers before you? Superior ratings indicate that many customers had better service.

Customer Reviews: Like ratings,  provide you with accurate and reliable information about the product from genuine customers. Customer ratings are very important to all of us because they contain accurate and reliable information about the customer service we received from several hundred customers.

Seller Rank: This is very intriguing! Not only do you need a good ribbon microphones, you also need a product with rising sales that is trendy. It accomplishes two goals. First, the expanding user base proves the quality of the product. Second, given that number, producers must be able to offer greater quality and after-sales support.

Value: You get what you pay for, they say, so consider the value. Cheap isn’t always good and expensive isn’t always bad. However, that does not imply that spending a lot of money on a product that is flashy but underwhelming is a good idea. Before adding them to the list, we make an effort to evaluate how much value you can get for your money from your ribbon microphones.

Durability: Durability and reliability are closely related concepts. You will benefit from a strong and long-lasting ribbon microphones for months and years to come.

Product availability: Products come and go, and new ones replace the old ones. Most likely, a few new features and required changes were made. What use is it to use a supposedly good product if the maker no longer supports it? We make an effort to highlight products that are current and offered by one or more trustworthy sellers, if not more.

Negative Reviews: Yes, we do take that into account as well! The goods with the majority of bad reviews are filtered out and disregarded when we choose the best-rated one on the market.

These are the standards by which we selected our ribbon microphones. Do we end our process there? Hell no. The most crucial fact about us that you should be aware of is that we regularly update our website with current and pertinent information. We have one more layer of filtration since we place the greatest importance on reader satisfaction. Please let us know if any product included here is incorrect, irrelevant, subpar, or simply out of date. We always value your opinions, and we’ll work hard to make any necessary corrections to our list in response to them.

Why should you believe us?

There are now thousands of possibilities for these products on Amazon, but choosing the best one can be difficult and time-consuming. And what ribbon microphones should you purchase in 2022?

This guide is the result of more than 10 years of experience in researching, testing and writing about many topics. Each member of our team is an authority in their area. We read every article we could find online and every consumer review on every retail website for seven hours. Additionally, we discovered a ton of websites that offered helpful resources, including buying tips and thorough information on ribbon microphones.