Best Ribbon Mics:
The Definitive List  [2021]

The first choice on this list is a really high-quality mic…

The Royer Labs R-121 comes with a figure 8 polar pattern that lets it capture sound from both sides of the microphone.

It captures them very accurately, and it is really good at recording loud sources. As a result, you can place it in front of a guitar amp at full blast, without worries.

Another great thing about this mic is that it can be used for different instruments such as guitars, wind instruments, percussion, and string instruments.

Do you still have doubts about its quality?

Well, you should at least take a look at its design! It is really stylish and vintage-looking!

Moreover, the package includes a beautiful wooden box, a soft storage case as well as a shock mount.

The only drawback is the price: this mic is pretty expensive, but its quality deserves the money.

Do you want a ribbon mic that won’t break the bank?

We have it! The Golden Age Project R1 mk2 is an affordable, high-quality ribbon mic that performs impressively for its price…

It comes with a figure-8 pattern, that lets you place two speakers opposite to each other and record them easily!

In addition to that, the small size of the ribbon makes the horizontal pickup pattern impressively wide, compared to most other microphones.

The sound quality you get is crystal clear, musical, and rich, and you can use it for various applications: from vocals to strings, and from wind instruments to acoustic guitars and even orchestras!

And guess what: it is also very good-looking with a nice vintage touch!

Are you trying to understand if this mic has any drawbacks at all?

Well, just a small one! The shock mount is not included in the package, so you need to get it separately!

Here comes a popular ribbon mic for under $100!

The MXL R144 has been around since 2001, and it is a favorite mic among both amateurs and professionals!

The greatest thing about this mic (besides the price) is its compact design, which doesn’t take too much space and allows you to carry it around!

Regarding sound performance, it comes with a bi-directional polar pattern and delivers detailed and rich sound performance!

It also has a high SPL capacity, which means that you can use it when you want to capture some really loud sounds such as horns, or if you want to place it in front of a guitar amp.

Of course, it is quite versatile to be used with other instruments as well as vocals!

But consider this: if you want to record more “quiet” sound sources, you will need a good preamp for this mic to perform its best

Are you looking for a ribbon mic that is not only for recording but can also be used for live playing?

You are in the right place!

The Beyerdynamic M160 is a pretty famous ribbon mic with a hyper-cardioid polar pattern. It has been used by industry professionals for years now, as it is very good both at recording and at a live transmission.

Moreover, it is versatile: you can use it to record stringed instruments, piano, drums, saxophone, and even guitar amps!

Its design is pretty unique, as it doesn’t follow the vintage trend of most ribbon mics, but it is still sleek and modern-looking.        

It is also very compact, which makes it highly portable.

However, beware!

This microphone is quite fragile, so you should probably get a hard case or a heavily padded one, as the one included won’t really protect it if you want to move it around.

Would you like to have a ribbon mic that would be almost as good as a condenser mic?

Take a look at the AEA R84!

This high-end mic comes with a big transducer that allows for natural sound capturing.

Actually, this model is based on the legendary R44 ribbon microphone, but as it features newer technology, it has a lot of improvements.

These include a much less proximity effect that allows you to place it closer to the source, more effective vibration isolation as well as better high-frequency response.

But that’s not all!

Besides sounding good, it also looks good! Its design is very sleek and it will be a beautiful addition to your studio.

Another great thing about the R84 is the fact that it ships with a foam-padded carrying case (great for moving it around safely) as well as an audio cable.

Of course, all those features make this mic a bit pricey/

Do gold-colored mics excite you?

Then you will love the design of the MXL R77L!

This ribbon mic comes with a gold and chrome metal finish, with a very sleek look that catches your eye instantly.

It is a little bit fragile though, so take care of it...

If you are wondering what the L stands for in this microphone’s name, you should know that this mic is based on the very popular MXL R77 ribbon mic, but it comes with a twist…

The “L” stands for the Lundahl Transformer, which allows it to deliver a smooth and warm sound.

The 1.8-micron aluminum ribbon also helps in delivering realistic sound.

Additionally, if you want to record loud instruments, you should look no further…

The R77L comes with high SPL capability that makes it suitable for these applications.

Another great thing about this mic is that it comes with lots of accessories, including a wooden case, a desktop stand, a cleaning cloth, and a 25' Mogami XLR cable, adding even more to its value.

Let’s move to an affordable option now…

The sE Electronics X1R is a low-priced ribbon mic that delivers great sound performance for the money.

Its design is quite compact and lightweight, allowing you to carry it around if need be.

It is suitable for recording almost anything: from vocals to brass, and from guitars to percussion. Many people profit from the low price to get a couple of them and use them for stereo recordings.

Moreover, it is really good at high frequencies, and its proximity effect is not that strong so that you can place the mic closer to the sound source.

However, even in that case, note that you’ll need a powerful preamp to drive this mic, as it is not very good with quiet signals.

The second mic of Royer Labs on this list comes at almost half the price compared to the previous one…

The Royer Labs R-10 is a mic that was first presented in 2017, and t is well-known for its crisp and smooth sound performance, especially when you place it close to the sound source.

It is really good for recording instruments such as acoustic and electric guitars, as well as using it to record drum overheads.

What I love the most about this mic is the fact that it ships with a hard case. That makes it really easy to carry around without fearing any damage.

Plus, the sturdy build quality is enhanced by the resistance of the ribbon to both heat and moisture.

Note that if you need a shockmount, you’ll need to get it separately as it is not included in the package.

Last but not least, this mic comes from a well-reputed brand in the audio niche….

As you have probably guessed, the Audio Technica AT4081 is a premium-quality ribbon mic that is somewhat on the expensive side…

Don’t get me wrong! It is worth every penny!

Audio Technica has produced two similar ribbon models: the AT4080 is more suitable for vocals, while the AT4081 we are reviewing here is better used for instruments such as guitars, string, and wind instruments.

It delivers very accurate sound reproduction that will please any audiophile

Another great thing about this mic is that it has been designed to prevent the dual ribbons from excessive flexing, so it is a durable mic.

The overall build quality also adds to the durability.

Note that this is an active microphone, and as per other models we have already seen. It needs a phantom power supply.