Ribbon microphones are renowned for their ability to capture beautiful, warm sounds that typical microphones can’t achieve. While their quality comes at a price, it is possible to find great ribbon microphones for under $200. Whether you are a budding musician, podcast host, or sound engineer, there is a quality ribbon microphone that fits your budget.
Best Ribbon Mics Under 200
| Rank | Product Name | Score |
|---|---|---|
|
1
 |
MXL Mics R-150 Ribbon Microphone, Figure 8
|
9. 7
|
|
2
 |
Golden Age Project R2 MKII Ribbon Microphone
|
9. 5
|
|
3
 |
Peavey RAB-1 Ribbon Microphone
|
9. 1
|
|
4
 |
CAD Audio CADLive D82 Large Format Ribbon Side Address Microphone
|
8. 8
|
|
5
 |
Peavey RAB-1 Ribbon Microphone Recording Microphone – Black
|
8. 6
|
|
6
 |
ART AR5 ACTIVE RIBBON MICROPHONE
|
8. 2
|
|
7
 |
MXL R80 Ribbon Microphone
|
8. 0
|
|
8
 |
Cascade Microphones 98-B-A Ribbon Microphone
|
7 .7
|
|
9
 |
Cascade Microphones FAT HEAD BE Grey Body/Anodized Silver Grill
|
7. 4
|
|
10
 |
Geistnote’s Ribbon Microphone Transformer GN-C36 1:36 (5 Pack)
|
7. 2
|
1. MXL Mics R-150 Ribbon Microphone, Figure 8
I recently purchased the MXL Mics R-150 Ribbon Microphone, Figure 8 and I am very impressed with it. It has great sound quality for a relatively inexpensive microphone. It really captures the richness of sound that I was looking for. The design is sleek and it is easy to set up and use. I especially love how compact it is, so it can fit in any small space. Overall, I am very pleased with this microphone and highly recommend it to anyone looking for a good quality budget microphone.
- High-grade Figure-8 polar pattern
- Low noise, wide frequency response
- High SPL capability (146 dB maximum)
- Ultra-thick 1.8-micron aluminum ribbon
- Rugged, durable construction
- High-quality transformer
- Included shock mount and dust cover
2. Golden Age Project R2 MKII Ribbon Microphone
I recently purchased the Golden Age Project R2 MKII Ribbon Microphone and I have been very impressed with the sound quality and features. The mic is great for recording vocals and instruments, and it has a warm and natural sound. The stereo imaging is also very good, and I have been able to capture some great recordings with this mic. The mic is quite versatile, and it works great on acoustic guitars and other instruments. The construction is also very solid, and it feels like a quality product. Overall, I am very impressed with the Golden Age Project R2 MKII Ribbon Microphone, and I would highly recommend it to anyone looking for a great sounding mic at an affordable price.
format
- High-quality ribbon microphone with a figure-8 pickup pattern.
- Uses two independent ribbon elements for added clarity and detail.
- Includes internal shockmounts to reduce handling and environmental noise.
- Specially designed body to minimize reflections and outside noise.
- Designed to capture high-end detail with a warm, natural sound.
- Robust and durable construction.
- Switchable output level to allow for different sound sources.
3. Peavey RAB-1 Ribbon Microphone
The Peavey RAB-1 Ribbon Microphone is an excellent choice for anyone looking for a quality ribbon microphone. It is extremely affordable, yet still delivers on sound quality. I have been using this microphone for a couple of years now and can honestly say that I am very impressed with its performance. The sound quality is clear, crisp, and accurate. It captures the nuances of a performance extremely well, so you can really capture the emotion of the performance. It also does a great job of minimizing the noise from the surroundings. Overall, the Peavey RAB-1 Ribbon Microphone is a great choice for anyone looking for a quality ribbon microphone at an affordable price.
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- Design: Peavey RAB-1 Ribbon Microphone has an aluminum alloy ribbon and an advanced acoustic design for a rich, full-range sound.
- Directional Pattern: The microphone features a cardioid polar pattern for maximum rejection of off-axis sound.
- Frequency Response: The frequency response of 30hz – 18kHz provides an accurate representation of the sound.
- Impedance: It has a low impedance of 150 ohms that ensures a clean signal.
- Connection: The microphone has an XLR connection for easy and reliable connectivity.
4. CAD Audio CADLive D82 Large Format Ribbon Side Address Microphone
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The CAD Audio CADLive D82 Large Format Ribbon Side Address Microphone is a great choice for any studio. It has a low noise floor, accurate reproduction of sound, and a wide frequency response. The ribbon microphone also features a unique side-address design that makes it easy to mount and use. The mic also includes a dedicated shock mount and case, making it easy to transport. Additionally, the mic is built to last and comes with a warranty for peace of mind. Overall, I highly recommend the CAD Audio CADLive D82 Large Format Ribbon Side Address Microphone for any studio.
- Ribbon element design for warm, natural sound
- Side-address design makes it ideal for recording drums, percussion, and other instruments
- Large-format 14mm ribbon element allows for greater accuracy
- Smooth frequency response from 20 Hz to 18 kHz
- High SPL handling and low distortion
- Integrated shock-mount reduces handling noise
5. Peavey RAB-1 Ribbon Microphone Recording Microphone – Black
I recently purchased the Peavey RAB-1 Ribbon Microphone and I’m so glad I did! It’s a great microphone for recording vocals, instruments, and spoken word. The sound quality is great and the microphone is incredibly versatile. It has a natural warmth and clarity to it which is perfect for all sorts of recordings. It also comes with an adjustable low-frequency roll-off switch which helps reduce excessive low-end rumble. Overall, I’m very happy with the Peavey RAB-1 Ribbon Microphone and would highly recommend it for anyone looking for a great sounding microphone for recording!
- Wide frequency response (20-20kHz)
- High sensitivity
- Low-noise transformerless design
- Cardioid polar pattern for accurate sound reproduction
- Built-in filter switch to reduce low-end rumble
6. ART AR5 ACTIVE RIBBON MICROPHONE
I recently purchased the ART AR5 Active Ribbon Microphone and I am exceedingly pleased with the product. I found that the audio quality is crisp, and the sound has a natural warmth to it. As a studio microphone, it is extremely versatile and can be used with any type of instrument or vocal. I have found it to be especially useful for recording acoustic instruments, as it does a great job of capturing all the nuances of the instrument. In addition, I have found that the noise level of the microphone is incredibly low, making it perfect for recording in even the most sensitive of recording circumstances. The build quality of the microphone is also very solid, and all the controls are easy to use. All in all, I am thoroughly satisfied with the ART AR5 Active Ribbon Microphone and would highly recommend it.
- High-end active ribbon microphone
- Utilizes a custom low-noise transformer
- Advanced elastic suspension system
- Organic sounding with natural phase response
- Provides a smooth, warm, and transparent sound
- High dynamic range for detailed and nuanced recordings
7. MXL R80 Ribbon Microphone
The MXL R80 Ribbon Microphone is an excellent microphone for recording vocals, instruments and any other audio. It is an affordable microphone with a great sound. The R80 has a warm, natural sound that captures all the nuances of sound. It is very sensitive and picks up a wide range of frequencies. The build quality is good and it is quite rugged. The sound is detailed and accurate. The price is also quite affordable. It is a great mic for recording in home studios or for live performances. Overall, the MXL R80 Ribbon Microphone is an excellent choice for anyone looking for a quality microphone at a reasonable price.
- Cardioid polar pattern
- High-quality ribbon microphone
- Smooth and balanced frequency response
- Full mid-range
- High SPL of 156 dB
- Durable aluminum construction
- Carrying case included
8. Cascade Microphones 98-B-A Ribbon Microphone
I recently purchased the Cascade Microphones 98-B-A Ribbon Microphone and I’m very pleased with it. The sound quality is outstanding – it captures sounds with incredible detail and clarity. I love that the 98-B-A has a large dynamic range and a smooth frequency response. I’ve used it for recording vocals, instruments, and even location recordings and have been thrilled with the results. The ribbon design provides a warm, natural sound that adds a nice touch to the recordings. I’ve found that the microphone can handle high SPLs with ease and is also resistant to unwanted noise. The build quality is also top notch, with a robust metal body and a sturdy solid-state preamp. All in all, I’m very happy with my purchase and would recommend this microphone to anyone looking for a reliable and high-quality recording solution.
- Uses an ultra-thin 2.5 micron aluminum ribbon element
- Designed for studio and live sound applications
- Durable, low-mass suspension system
- Exceptional transient response
- Rich low-end, smooth mid-range and extended high-end response
- Uniform frequency response of 40 Hz – 18 kHz
- High SPL rating of 156 dB
- Uses a custom-designed transformer with an exceptionally low noise level
9. Cascade Microphones FAT HEAD BE Grey Body/Anodized Silver Grill
I recently purchased the Cascade Microphones FAT HEAD BE Grey Body/Anodized Silver Grill and I am very pleased with it. The sound quality is great and it has a nice warm tone. It is very responsive and picks up a great range of frequencies. I especially like the low end response, which allows for great bass tones. The construction is very sturdy and the grill is anodized silver, which makes it look very professional. The price is very reasonable for the quality of the microphone and I would highly recommend it to anyone looking for a good quality microphone.
- Grey Body/Anodized Silver Grill design
- Cascade Microphones FAT HEAD-BE capsule
- High-pass filter and -20dB pad
- Cardioid polar pattern
- Switchable low-cut filter
- High SPL handling
- High sensitivity and low noise
- Custom designed transformer
- Heavy-duty internal shock mount
10. Geistnote’s Ribbon Microphone Transformer GN-C36 1:36 (5 Pack)
I recently used Geistnote’s GN-C36 1:36 Ribbon Microphone Transformer (5 Pack) for a recording project and I’m really happy with the results. The transformer is designed to boost the signal of a ribbon mic and it did a great job. The sound was clear and balanced with no unwanted noise. The five pack is great if you are doing multiple recordings, as you have enough transformers for each mic. I also liked that the transformers come in a nice little package, so they are easy to store away. Overall, I highly recommend the Geistnote’s GN-C36 1:36 Ribbon Microphone Transformer (5 Pack).
- 5 pack of Geistnote’s Ribbon Microphone Transformers (GN-C36 1:36)
- Compatible with all types of ribbon microphone
- High quality and low noise design
- Ultra low output impedance
- Wide frequency range
- High dynamic range
- Excellent linearity
- High isolation between input and output
- Robust construction for a long service life
- Compact and lightweight design
