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5 Best Ribbon Mics for Natural and Warm Sound in 2023

ByDaniel Thomas Posted on Updated on

Are you tired of the cold, clinical sound of modern condenser microphones? Do you crave that vintage warmth and smoothness that only ribbon mics can provide? Look no further! In this blog post, we will introduce you to the 5 best ribbon microphones on the market today.

We’ve put our ears through hours of listening before narrowing it down to these 5 best ribbon mics that will make your every penny worthwhile. From the most famous ribbon mic to the ribbon mic with the best sound quality, we’ve got you covered.

And don’t worry about breaking the bank, because we’ve also included the most value-for-money ribbon mic and the most affordable ribbon mic that still delivers that lifelike, natural sound.

So sit back and get ready to unravel the silky smooth sounds of the ‘ribbon mic’ as we take a deep dive into our list of the 5 best ribbon mics out there.

What are the 5 Best Ribbon Mics in 2023?

Here is the list of the 5 best ribbon microphones out there today:

1. Royer R-121 – Most Famous Ribbon Microphone of All Time

Why would you want this ribbon mic?

You have too much money and don’t know what to spend it on (just kidding). You want a timeless and iconic ribbon microphone that can last for ages.

Royer R-121
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Overview

We often associate icons with certain roles or products, like Michael Jordan with basketball, Michael Jackson with singing, the Fender Stratocaster with electric guitars, and Steinway with pianos. And for ribbon microphones, there’s no name more iconic than the Royer R-121. 

When ribbon microphones started to lose popularity over the years to modern condenser mics and dynamic microphones, the Royer R-121 came to shake up the game in 1998. Famous artists and bands, such as Blink-182, Diana Krall, Slash, and Mark Knopfler, have used the Royer R-121.

With its hefty price tag of around $1500, you are paying for both its sound quality and name.

Sound Quality

The R-121 is Royer Lab’s flagship microphone and the most famous ribbon microphone for a good reason. It has a velvety and vintage tone that sings to almost any instrument you pair it with. 

Whether you’re playing an electric guitar clean, crunch, or in distortion, it will sound authentic, not drowned or flattened out. It’s the perfect mic for drum overheads, electric guitar distortion, acoustic guitars, singing, brass instruments, and even kick drums.

However, if you’re looking for a brighter sound, combine the R-121 with a Shure SM57 to add some crispness to the trebles.

If you’re an audio engineer spending endless hours editing a track to get the most realistic sound, you will definitely want the R-121. It has extremely low residual noise and boasts an evenly-balanced tone and relatively flat frequency response that can capture every nuance in great detail, only the best ribbon microphones out there exhibit this sort of quality. And it sounds phenomenal, even without any EQs, compression, or de-essing. 

It’s often described as having a natural, lifelike sound comparable to real-life acoustics, almost like listening to the amplifiers and instruments in a room. You can even use a pair of R-121s to record a band, choir, or orchestra in stereo to create a realistic soundstage that will transport your listeners to the performance scene.

Design & Build

The Royer R-121 is proudly made in the USA and has a sleek, compact, all-metal tube body with a satin nickel finish. It is sturdy and is built to last you a lifetime; that is why Royer is confident enough to give a lifetime warranty. The R-121 is so iconic that many microphone manufacturers have copied the same look and design.

It comes in a vintage well-lacquered wooden case with a velvet interior pad that can be a keepsake for you to pass on for generations.

The Royer R-121 is more than just a microphone. It’s a true icon, a timeless classic that has withstood the test of time since its debut in 1998. While its price tag may be steep at around $1500, its value extends beyond its exceptional sound quality. It represents a piece of audio history and serves as a precious keepsake that can be passed down for generations.

If you’re keen to learn more, check out our full review of the Royer R-121!

Product Info

  • Polar pattern: Figure-8
  • Circuit Type: Passive ribbon
  • Power requirements: N/A
  • Frequency Response: 30 Hz to 15,000 Hz
  • Sensitivity: -47 dBV/Pa (4.47 mV/Pa) @1kHz
  • Max SPL: 135 dB
  • Output Connection: XLR, 3-pin, male
  • Weight: 8.6oz (244g)
  • Accessories: Protective wooden case, mic sock

Pros

  • Authentic, realistic sound with great clarity
  • Flat frequency response
  • Warm, vintage, velvety tone
  • Made in the USA
  • Most iconic ribbon mic
  • Sturdy and compact
  • Lifetime warranty
  • Resistant to accidental phantom power

Cons

  • Very expensive
  • There are other less expensive mics in this list with similar sound quality
Royer R-121

Royer R-121

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2. Beyerdynamic M 160 – Best Ribbon Mic for a Full, Rich Sound

Why would you want this ribbon mic?

You want a ribbon microphone with strong, dark low tones as well as bright and detailed high ends, giving you a rich sound.

Beyerdynamic M 160
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Overview

The Beyerdynamic M 160 dual-ribbon microphone might not be as recognizable as the RCA 44 or Royer R-121, but it certainly has its name up there as one of the all-time classic ribbon microphones. 

The M 160 was introduced in 1957 by Beyerdynamic and is still being made in Germany. It was used by famous people like Bill Bottrell, who played the main guitar riff for Michael Jackson’s ‘Black or White’ in 1989. So, if this mic is good enough for the King of Pop, it’s certainly good enough for the rest of us.

Sound Quality

Although the Beyerdynamic M 160 was made in 1957, it is not inferior to modern ribbon microphones. In fact, of the list of ribbon microphones in this article, the M 160 is, in our opinion, one of the best ribbon mics in terms of its sound quality, even when compared to the Royer R-121.

The M 160 has a hypercardioid polar pattern, unlike most ribbon microphones with a bi-directional polar pattern. It is one of the best ribbon mics for isolating sounds from the front while rejecting ambient sound and noise from the back, making this a great stage mic. 

In terms of sound quality, the M 160 has a warmer and darker tone compared to other ribbon mics and a strong bass sound. However, what surprised me was its wide treble extension and crystal clear clarity and smoothness in the higher notes, instead of the expected high-end roll-offs for most ribbon mics.

The warmth of its lower tones coupled with the softness and clarity of its trebles allows the Beyerdynamic M 160 to have a full and rich sound, more so compared to the Royer R-121.

If you are speaking into the M 160, you will immediately notice a very strong proximity effect, you might want to add a high-pass filter if there’s too much bass for your liking. 

Be sure to use a pop filter when recording vocals to protect the mic from plosive sounds. Also, use a shock mount because the M 160 is sensitive to bumps and knocks.

The Beyerdynamic M 160 sounds absolutely phenomenal on acoustic guitar, electric guitar amplifier with high distortion, and as a drum overhead mic. Recordings produced by the M 160 will sound nearly as identical to the amplifiers in the room.

Most musicians would often combine a ribbon mic with a dynamic mic like the Shure SM57 when miking a guitar amp in order to get the warm vintage ribbon sound plus the clarity and treble boost from the dynamic mic. However, the M 160 gives the best of both worlds in just one microphone.

Since the M 160 is a passive mic, it is on the quiet end. You will need a good preamp with a high output impedance and even a Cloudlifter to boost the gain to an audible level. 

Design & Build

The Beyerdynamic M 160 certainly looks like the famous Shure SM58 dynamic microphone. 

However, just because the M160 looks almost like the Shure SM58 does not mean you should start belting into it because the delicate ribbon element might be blown from loud sounds and plosives.

It has an all-metal body, a robust metal grill that does not collapse easily when compressed, and weighing 156g, it is the lightest microphone on this list. 

Product Info

  • Polar pattern: Hypercardioid
  • Circuit Type: Passive double ribbon
  • Power requirements: N/A
  • Frequency Response: 40 Hz to 18,000 Hz
  • Sensitivity: -60 dBV/Pa (1 mV/Pa) @1kHz
  • Output Connection: XLR, 3-pin, male
  • Weight: 156g
  • Accessories: Mic clamp with 5/8 to 3/8 inch adapter, storage pouch

Pros

  • Warm and vintage ribbon sound, authoritative low ends
  • Smooth at high ends and able to capture details clearly
  • Good treble extension and smooth frequency response
  • Strong proximity effect
  • Sturdy and well-built
  • Made in Germany
  • Not as expensive as other ribbon mics but sound better
  • Very lightweight

Cons

  • Looks like a cheap karaoke mic (when it’s not)
  • Quiet passive mic. Needs additional gain from a good preamp
Beyerdynamic M 160

Beyerdynamic M 160

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3. sE Electronics Voodoo VR2 – Best Ribbon Mic for capturing Upper Frequencies

Why would you want this ribbon mic?

You want a ribbon microphone with a vintage sound that can also capture high tones clearly, almost like condenser mics but not overly bright.

sE Electronics Voodoo VR2
Voodoo VR2 shock mount
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Overview

The sE Electronics Voodoo VR2 is a witchy little microphone that’s sure to cast a spell on you. 

The Voodoo VR2 not only looks great but also sounds incredible. It is a microphone that Goldilocks would be proud of, not too dark, not too bright, but just right.

The best ribbon microphones don’t always have to be the most expensive. For $500, it’s a steal compared to other ribbon microphones that cost well above a thousand dollars.

Sound Quality

The Voodoo VR2 boasts a rare feat that few ribbon mics have – a smooth frequency response that includes impressive treble extension and is one of the best ribbon mics for capturing detailed sound at high-frequencies.

Most ribbon microphones tend to produce a muffled sound in the higher frequencies. The Voodoo VR2, however, offers a unique combination of the warm, vintage tone typical of a ribbon microphone, along with a subtle mid and high-frequency boost that provides a brighter sound like that of condenser microphones – without being overpowering. This is an excellent ribbon mic for brass instruments, drum overheads, cymbals, violins, electric guitars, or lead vocals.

The smoothness and clarity of the Voodoo VR2 allow captured recordings to sound incredibly natural, almost like the actual instruments and amps in the room without any EQ added to the mix.

Being an active ribbon mic, Voodoo VR2 requires +48V phantom power to work its magic. This gives it greater sensitivity than the older VR1 passive mic model and plenty of gain on tap; hence you don’t have to turn up the gain on your preamp to get a good sound level from this mic.  

Design & Build

The sleek and contemporary all-metal design of the Voodoo VR2 aligns with sE Electronics’ vision of pioneering a new era in ribbon microphone technology. 

The microphone feels sturdy and well-built, and it comes in a neat, vintage wooden box. It also comes with a neat-looking custom shock mount. The mic can be positioned at the center of the mount for added protection or flipped outside for ease of use under a snare or against a speaker grille cloth.

Product Info

  • Polar pattern: Figure-8
  • Circuit Type: Active ribbon
  • Power requirements: +48V phantom power
  • Frequency Response: 20 Hz to 18,000 Hz
  • Sensitivity: -37 dBV/Pa (14.1 mV/Pa) @1kHz
  • Max SPL: 135 dB (0.5% THD @ 1kHz)
  • Output Connection: XLR, 3-pin, male
  • Weight: 360g
  • Accessories: Wooden case, shock mount, dust cover, mic stand clip with 5/8 to 3/8 inch adapter

Pros

  • Warm vintage tone for lows and mid. Smooth and clear at trebles but not overly bright
  • Good treble extension, flat frequency response
  • Good output levels
  • Modern design
  • Value for money
  • Neat-looking custom shock mount

Cons

  • Nothing much to complain about
sE Electronics Voodoo VR2

sE Voodoo VR2

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4. Sterling ST170 – Best Bang-for-Your-Buck Ribbon Mic

Why would you want this ribbon mic?

You don’t want to splurge but want the most value out of every dollar you are paying for a ribbon mic. And you also want a ribbon mic that is great for on-the-go kind of work.

Sterling ST170
Sterling ST170 with shock mount
Sterling ST170 accessories
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Overview

Are you a semi-professional musician searching for a versatile and reliable ribbon microphone with a warm and vintage sound that will transport you back to the glory days of rock ‘n’ roll? Do you want a mic that is neither cheap nor expensive, but one that provides a bang for every buck you pay?

Look no further than the Sterling ST170, it is a steal at just $229. It’s the perfect combination of vintage warmth and modern reliability, all wrapped up in a package that won’t break the bank.

Sound Quality

The Sterling ST170 is a sleek and modern active ribbon mic that packs a punch. With a high output level from its phantom-powered active circuitry, this mic is ready to bring the noise. You don’t need an expensive preamp to get a good amount of gain from this mic.

If you’re always on the go and can’t bring your heavy mic preamp, you can pack your Sterling ST170 with a portable audio interface with built-in preamps like the Focusrite Scarlett 2i2.

The ST170 has a high-frequency roll-off that keeps the sound from getting too bright, but don’t worry – it’s not all dark and brooding. The low-end is rich and full, making it the perfect choice for capturing the thump of a kick drum or the resonance of an acoustic guitar, it delivers a smooth sound and captures the dynamics of a performance with ease.

When it comes to electric guitars, the Sterling ST170 can handle high SPLs with precision and clarity. The mic also has a pleasing bump in the low and mid ranges, allowing your electric guitar to sing like a Jedi wielding a lightsaber.

Design & Build

Speaking of Jedi, this mic looks like it was plucked straight from the hands of Luke Skywalker himself. Its sleek navy-blue all-metal construction and rugged aluminum carry case with a padded interior make it a force to be reckoned with, giving your microphone portability and protection on the go.

It also comes with a sturdy aluminum/zinc SM5 shock mount that reduces unwanted ambient noise and vibrations. It has the ideal size to fit wider “pencil-type” microphones and elastic bands to secure the mic in any position.

All of this quality and versatility are available for a mere $229. The ST170 is one of the best ribbon microphones in terms of value and a no-brainer for any musician or audio engineer in need of a reliable, all-purpose microphone.

Product Info

  • Polar pattern: Figure-8
  • Circuit Type: Active ribbon
  • Power requirements: +48V phantom power
  • Frequency Response: 20 Hz to 20,000 Hz
  • Sensitivity: -35.9 dBV/Pa (16 mV/Pa) @1kHz
  • Max SPL: 132 dB
  • Output Connection: XLR, 3-pin, male
  • Weight: 11.4oz (320g)
  • Accessories: Aluminum carry case, aluminum/zinc shock mount

Pros

  • Warm and rich tone for lows and mids
  • High output levels
  • Modern and sleek design
  • Sturdy and portable carry case
  • Best value for money

Cons

  • Loses some clarity in the upper frequencies
Sterling ST170

Sterling ST170

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