the t.bone RB 500
Best ribbon microphone for capturing warm, natural studio recordings.
Experience exceptionally warm and natural sound with this ribbon microphone. Designed for versatility, it features a classic Figure 8 polar pattern, perfect for capturing rich audio textures. Its delicate 2-micron thick Aluminium ribbon accurately reproduces frequencies from 30 Hz to 18,000 Hz. This microphone handles high sound pressure levels up to 148 dB SPL, ensuring clarity even with loud sources. It comes ready to use with an attached XLR cable, a U bracket, and a padded carrying bag for convenient transport and setup.
$98.00
Owner Satisfaction
4.6
/ 5
Category Rank
1123
/ 3374
#1123 in Microphones
Price vs Category Average
-86%
Below average
Polar Pattern
Figure Eight (Bidirectional)
/ Figure Eight (Bidirectional)
Who it's for
- Studio engineers seeking vintage warmth for acoustic instruments
- Budget-conscious home recordists exploring ribbon microphone textures
- Producers tracking loud guitar cabinets or drum kits
Who should skip it
- Recordists lacking high-gain, low-noise microphone preamps
- Buyers expecting consistent, professional-grade manufacturing standards
- Beginners unfamiliar with delicate ribbon microphone maintenance
Performance breakdown
Sonic Warmth
The ribbon element delivers a classic, velvety character for vintage-inspired recordings.
SPL Handling
Impressive tolerance for loud sources makes it surprisingly robust for a ribbon.
Transient Detail
Captures nuanced textures effectively, though lacks the surgical precision of condenser mics.
Polar Pattern Versatility
The figure-eight pattern excels at capturing natural room ambience and duets.
Setup Convenience
Attached XLR cable and included bracket allow for immediate, hassle-free deployment.
Build Durability
The delicate ribbon requires careful handling despite the included protective carrying bag.
Key Specs
Polar Pattern
Figure Eight (Bidirectional)
Frequency Range
30 - 18,000 Hz
Maximum SPL
148 dB
Diaphragm
2” Aluminium ribbon (2 µm strength)
Sensitivity
-60 dB /1mV/PA (0dB = 1V/PA @ 1 kHz)
Connectivity
XLR cable attached
Included Accessories
U bracket and padded carrying bag
Microphone Type
Ribbon
Know before you buy
The Figure 8 pattern captures sound equally from the front and back while rejecting audio from the sides. This makes it an excellent choice for recording duets, face-to-face interviews, or capturing the natural room ambience alongside your primary sound source.
No, the t.bone RB 500 is a passive ribbon microphone and does not require phantom power. In fact, you should keep 48V phantom power turned off on your interface or preamp to prevent potential damage to the delicate ribbon element.
Yes. With a maximum SPL rating of 148 dB, this microphone is capable of handling high-volume sources without distorting, making it surprisingly robust for a ribbon design.
Because ribbon microphones typically have lower output levels, you will get the best performance using a preamp with a clean, high-gain stage. This ensures you can capture quiet sources without introducing excessive noise into your recording.
No, the RB 500 features an attached XLR cable. This simplifies your setup process but means you should handle the cable with care to avoid strain on the connection point.
The ultra-thin 2-micron ribbon is extremely lightweight, allowing it to respond rapidly to sound waves. This results in the warm, natural, and highly detailed high-frequency reproduction that ribbon microphones are famous for.
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