The Best Ribbon Microphones 2025

1. MXL R144-HE Heritage Edition Multi-Purpose Ribbon Microphone Bundle

The MXL R144-HE Heritage Edition is an affordable and attractive multi-purpose ribbon microphone. The R144 already has an enthusiastic user base, and now with its Heritage Edition casing, its vintage look and feel make it an attractive aesthetic to bring into your studio environment. Ribbon microphones are notoriously good for capturing notoriously difficult signals. Loud signals like guitar cabinets, and saxophone and trumpet close-miking is an ideal environment for ribbon microphones. In addition to being comfortable with high-SPL environments, ribbons can tame some of the harsh and shrieking components of these loud and outrageous sound sources. Incorporating a Figure-8 polar pattern and a 1.8-micron aluminum ribbon, the R144 ribbon mic offers breathtaking sound for vocal and instrument recordings. It's an excellent microphone for broadcast applications and also performs brilliantly on strings, acoustic guitars and other acoustic instruments. The MXL R-144 offers high-SPL capability, outstanding side rejection and precise directivity.

The MXL R144-HE Heritage Edition is an affordable and attractive multi-purpose ribbon microphone The R144 already has an enthusiastic user base, and now with its Heritage Edition casing, its vintage look and feel make it an attractive aesthetic to bring into your studio environment Ribbon microphones are notoriously good for capturing notoriously difficult signals Loud signals like guitar cabinets, and saxophone and trumpet close-miking is an ideal environment for ribbon

2. Shure KSM353 Ribbon Microphone

Shure KSM353 Ribbon Microphone

Premier Bi-Directional Ribbon Microphone with Roswellite™ Ribbon Technology

3. Rode NTR Premium Active Studio Ribbon Microphone

Designed to hang in the world’s finest recording studios and performance halls equally as well as home studio spaces, its existence is a labor of love for RØDE. Every element of the NTR, from the transformer to the ribbon element itself, has been designed and created in-house at RØDE’s headquarters in Sydney, Australia. All with the aim of crafting the finest ribbon microphone available. Sonically, the NTR is capable of reproducing unprecedented high frequency detail and accuracy, addressing common criticisms of other ribbon microphones, while opening up the possible usage scenarios considerably. This allows it to record sound sources that usually require a more sensitive microphone element. At first glance of the NTR you’re aware that it’s very special and unique – an intricate blend of art and science.

Highly sensitive 1.8 micron ribbon element Bi-Directional Polar Pattern Internal Shock Mounting System Custom designed and manufactured transformer Heavy-duty matte black finish Ribbon-securing travel screw supplied Designed and manufactured in Australia

4. MXL R77 Wired Microphone, Chrome, Gold

The MXL R77 is a classic ribbon microphone that delivers unbelievably natural sound and stunning realism to vocal and instrument recordings. Powerful and versatile, the R77 incorporates a Figure-8 polar pattern for extended sweet spots as well as a 1.8-micron aluminum ribbon for smooth lows and natural highs. Manufactured with premium materials, the R77 performs beautifully on vocals, acoustic instruments, strings, horns and can handle the most demanding broadcast applications.

The MXL R77 not only offers smooth transient response, natural lows and highs, and outstanding vocals, it's robust enough to handle the high SPL output of electric guitars, horns, and percussion Manufactured with premium materials, it features a 1 8-micron aluminum ribbon and classic RCA-style body with gold and chrome finish Figure-8 pattern, 20Hz-18kHz frequency range

5. Marshall MXL R144 - Microphone - purple, chrome

Marshall MXL R144 - microphone

Key Features and Benefits: Mellow sound with a rich midrange Captures instruments and room sound SPL capability Compact design What's Included: Marshall MXL R144 Shock mount

6. MXL R40 Ribbon Microphone

The MXL R40 is a solidly built, elegant-looking ribbon mic that features passive circuitry to keep the signal as pure as possible. By employing just two main components—ribbon motor and transformer—the R40 maintains the classic, smooth sound that makes ribbon mics a top choice for recording rich-sounding vocals. In keeping with its straightforward design, the bi-directional R40 has no switches in the circuit path, just like any high-end ribbon mic—just an XLR connector at the base. The MXL R40 excels at vocal recording, as well as guitar, horns and other acoustic instruments. *Note: While the R40 boasts a sturdy design, care should be taken placing it in front of high-SPL sources. Extreme close-miking at very high SLP can damage any ribbon mic. **Do not use phantom power with the R40. Phantom power will damage a passive ribbon mic.

The MXL R40 is a solidly built, elegant-looking ribbon mic that features passive circuitry to keep the signal as pure as possible By employing just two main components—ribbon motor and transformer—the R40 maintains the classic, smooth sound that makes ribbon mics a top choice for recording rich-sounding vocals In keeping with its straightforward design, the bi-directional R40 has no switches in the circuit path, just like any high-end ribbon mic—just an XLR connector at the base The

7. MXL 990 Microphone, SMP-1 PF/SM & Cable

This package includes the MXL 990 microphone, the MXL SMP-1 shockmount and the MXL SR20X 20' XLR cable—everything you need to get a quality signal to the input of your recording console or interface. Ideal for broadcasting, podcasting or even critical studio recording, the MXL 990 is a ribbon microphone that is particularly kind to the human voice, with a warmth and a sparkle that is completely charming either on air or on recordings. The shockmount prevents floor noise and other interference from coding the signal, and the cable that comes with this package is reliable and quiet.

This package includes the MXL 990 microphone, the MXL SMP-1 shockmount and the MXL SR20X 20' XLR cable—everything you need to get a quality signal to the input of your recording console or interface Ideal for broadcasting, podcasting or even critical studio recording, the MXL 990 is a ribbon microphone that is particularly kind to the human voice, with a warmth and a sparkle that is completely charming either on air or on recordings The shockmount prevents floor noise and other

8. VR88A

Velocity Ribbon Microphone

VR88A

9. ART AR5 Active Ribbon Microphone

The ART AR5 Active Ribbon microphone delivers the incredibly clear, open and natural tone associated with typical classic ribbon microphones. The dual capsule design and integrated active electronics deliver higher output and more stable impedance than a standard dynamic ribbon, maximizing the compatibility and performance with a wide range of high end preamps. The AR5’s rugged, low profile design makes it the ideal choice for any application where the tone of a classic ribbon microphone is preferred, but the reliability, output and performance of a condenser microphone is required. Although ribbon microphones are by their nature extremely fragile, the ART AR5 can handle high sound pressure levels approaching 150dB range. The low-tension, 2-micron aluminum ribbon design offers audio reproduction with smooth, natural extended low and high frequency response. The asymmetrical figure-8 pickup pattern has an extended sweet spot on the rear face of the microphone allowing the recording to accurately reproduce the natural space and ambient reverberation of a good sounding live room. The microphone’s chassis is precision-tooled brass with a dent resistant stainless-steel wire-mesh windscreen. The included shock-mount virtually eliminates vibration and handling noise, while at the same time safely securing the microphone in any position needed during the recording process. Please Note: the ART AR5 should always be stored upright in the carrying case when the microphone is not in use.

What sets the AR5 apart from a standard passive ribbon microphone design is the integrated active preamp module that allows the classic ribbon tone to be realized with the added advantages of increased output with more stable frequency and dynamic response when the microphone is used with various differing input channel strips or preamps. Please Note - unlike standard ribbon microphones, the AR5 is active and requires phantom power to operate. Although ribbon microphones are by their nature extremely fragile, the AR5 can handle high sound pressure levels approaching 150dB range. The low-tension 2-micron aluminum ribbons offer audio reproduction with smooth, natural extended low and high frequency response. The asymmetrical figure-8 pickup pattern has an extended sweet spot on the rear face of the microphone allowing the recording to accurately reproduce the natural space and ambient reverberation of a good sounding live room. The microphone's precision-tooled body and dent resistant stainless-steel wire-mesh windscreen offer unmatched long term reliability. The included shock-mount virtually eliminates vibration and handling noise, while at the same time safely securing the microphone in any position needed during the recording process. Aluminum carry case included. Features Dual Ribbon Construction for Added Sensitivity Integrated Active Electronics for Improved Stability and Increased Output Compact Design Removable Shockmount

10. AEA Microphones TRP Ribbon Mic Preamplifier

Most preamps are geared towards the needs of condenser mics. But if you’re miking with a ribbon, you’re probably doing it because you want to hear the smooth, open tone that a ribbon gives you. However, if you’re using a mic pre designed for condensers, you might be trying to fit a ribbon-shaped sound through a condenser-shaped hole, and throwing away much of the ribbon’s tone in the process. In fact, you may have never heard everything your ribbon mics are capable of. The AEA TRP is the first mic preamp designed specifically to fit the needs of a ribbon mic. First, the JFET discrete front end provides 83dB of gain. AEA made that gain as quiet as physically possible by leaving out the phantom power circuitry and giving it an external power supply. The TRP’s 300 kHz of bandwidth makes it well-equipped to handle fast transients and the Low-Energy-Storage (LES)TM circuit topology allows it to recover instantly from overloads, providing you with everything you need for 192 kHz high-resolution recordings. The AEA TRP is optimized for ribbon, moving coil, and tube mics that don’t need phantom power. It allows you to hear more of what you want to hear and less of absolutely everything else.

Most preamps are geared towards the needs of condenser mics But if you’re miking with a ribbon, you’re probably doing it because you want to hear the smooth, open tone that a ribbon gives you However, if you’re using a mic pre designed for condensers, you might be trying to fit a ribbon-shaped sound through a condenser-shaped hole, and throwing away much of the ribbon’s tone in the process In fact, you may have never heard everything your ribbon mics are capable of The AEA TRP is