In the sea of microphones manufactured today, the key challenge is to distinguish between the attributes of mics for each application and know how a specific mic fits in the modern audio and video recording chain. From the mid-1930s through the mid-70s, most music recordings and broadcasts were made using ribbon microphones. Today, ribbons coexist with condensers and dynamic mics as unique tools to “paint” the character of sound.
One unique use of ribbon mics is on single, stereo mic recordings for video. Compared to the more exaggerated sound of condenser mics, ribbons have a darker quality with less high-end sound. John Cuniberti has created a “OneMic” series of music videos using a single AEA R88 stereo ribbon mic. RCA began making ribbon microphones in the 1930s for the….