Ribbon Microphones: The Complete Guide for Recording Engineers

You've got to hear these ribbon microphones on drums and acoustic guitar! Listen to audio comparisons between ribbon mics, moving coil mics, and condenser mics. Let me know which one you prefer in the comments!

Cloud Microphones 44 Passive Ribbon Microphone

Cloud Microphones 44-A Active Ribbon Microphone

00:00 - Introduction
00:55 - Condenser Mics vs Dynamic Mics vs Ribbon Mics
01:46 - Demo: Electric Guitar
02:07 - Ribbon Microphones "Take EQ Well"
03:49 - Transient Response
04:35 - Demo: Tambourine
04:55 - Demo: Drums
06:15 - Polar Pattern
07:32 - Blumlein Stereo Microphone Technique
07:52 - Demo: Acoustic Guitar
08:52 - Off-Axis Frequency Response
09:43 - Proximity Effect
10:58 - Preamp Gain & Input Impedance
12:20 - Active vs Passive Ribbon Microphones
13:31 - Ribbon Microphone Safety

Book a one to one call:

#AudioUniversity

Disclaimer: This description contains affiliate links, which means that if you click them, I will receive a small commission at no cost to you.

[ANON]

I've watched hundreds of these mic videos over the last few years. This is the best one I've ever seen, by far.

[skateify]

you are by far the most articulate educator in the audio production space. you are so precise with your language -- a pleasure to watch.

[Mark-fxgl]

how cool is it that you can nerd out about your thing on the internet AND companies send you new gear AND i'm learning how this stuff works!

[happyhippy]

Can I say that this talk and Demo is one of the best I have heard ! The Tech side was well explained and I feel came across in an easy understandable manner, I have worked as a sound engineer for over 50 yrs and I give this 5 stars Done !!

[tonyadams]

Best tutorial on Ribbon microphones I’ve watched/heard!
Excellent job.

[GEMINDIGO]

Everything you need to know about ribbon mics.Thanks for another really informative video Kyle! A fantastic presentation!!

[Rivenworld]

I have a Rode NTR and a Stagg ribbon mic, the Rode is an active one and has a lovely warm sound, with the Stagg I use a Fethead which boosts the signal perfectly, love the sound of Ribbon mics, great video, learned a lot, thanks for sharing.

[richarddresden]

I was just starting to look at ribbon mics, so this timing is perfect!

[paulmix]

If the purpose of this video was to sell Cloud 44 microphones I will definitely buy one or two.

[TiqueO]

Thanks for the excellent piece on ribbon mics! One thing I always like to do is flip the phase on your mic preamp or your mixing board so you can hear if the headphones are in or out as compared to the mic, because of the resonance of your own voice or instrument in your head and headphones versus mic you might hear a big difference. I think it can really change the way a person will perform if they for instance hear the mic being too thin because it's out of phase, it's a little trick I find useful in the studio.

[davidhiggen]

Hi Kyle,
I must admit that while I have been working in audio (live and recording) for many years, I have never actually used ribbon mics.
Very interesting info. There does seem to be a perceptible difference.
Wow, they are not cheap though, are they?
Keep up the good work!

[aniruddhasitar]

Wow i was having this question and this video is very useful, specially those sound demos of each microphone, would love to hear on some of the pickup microphone technology 👍👍👍👍

[DarkTrapStudio]

Cool to see you upgrade and have products sended to you since Ive seen your first video ! Im happy for you !

[ebormajaw]

The ribbon inside filters the high frequency. Thanks Kyle for your wonderful video.

[UnchainedEruption]

Your voice is so relaxing to listen to and this video is informative. I really like the sound of the ribbon mic, capturing the authentic room sound. I'm sure they must be the most expensive though...

[DarkTrapStudio]

Best video on the subject ! Learned so much !

[SmileMoreCEO]

☁ Mics are the truth! Great ribbon sound, but not as fragile. 😃

[williamtrahan]

Thanks for your informative and enjoyable videos. You should have many times the subscribers reflected above.

[michaelanderson]

Excellent video..thanks! I need to add a ribbon type microphone to my studio.

[gitarman]

Just received my first ribbon after years of stage and studio performance
The home studio option is now an affordable luxury and I’m going on my 8th year in the chair

But I do enjoy quality and pedigree as a gear snob I don’t do clones no offense to the warm audio crowd, we never had them in my playing years
so at 62 years old I guess I’m spoiled although I did try some against the real deal but they fell short in performance but you can’t beat the price
for just how close they can get

Anywho my first ribbons are Royer 121’ although I had a r10 shipped as well I’ll most likely keep just the 121
I spoke with a Royer engineer regarding the handling of the Royer builds and although they are delicate in comparison to our dynamics
and condensers he assured me that at least for Royer that the opening and closing of the storage box won’t generate enough pressure to
stretch or damage the ribbon also the vertical storage protocol common in vintage ribbons was not necessary
To preserve the mic of course read the manual in toto and as Kyle points out avoid any direct air pressure directly at the ribbon
always test the feeling of air movement, like from a cab with a punchy output using your hand or a sheet of paper and use pop filter or two also the offset method to allow air to
brush and deflect as opposed to direct reflection of the air movement is a good idea
Like Kyle, I will be babying my ribbon investments with provided covers when moving from position to position
Since direct plosive air movement seems to be the enemy

I plan on moving these ribbons as one would while walking and singing with a birthday cake,
being carful not to extinguish the candle flame with the speed of movement or the direction of the air from the song
That being said my tube amps collected over the 44 years as a professional and semi-professional guitarist will get to
Yell in the Royer ear as they have using the 57s, 421s, 609s, c414 and even my “vocal only” U87 with all the combinations
I can phase manage