Pre amp for ribbon mic

You need more gain for a ribbon than a condenser or dynamic.  And since ribbons have a natural roll off of highs, you probably want a preamp that doesn't dim the highs or emphasis the lows.

I just added a mxl 40 to my home batch - same mic as the 144 basically.  It sounded good through a RND Portico.  I have a Warm preamp and that seemed to exagerate the lows - probably not a good choice tho maybe on bass ...  The Focusrite ISA seemed like a very good choice.  High gain, clean gain w/ a hint of transformer thickening (not really necessary w/ the 40, tho) and the various impedance settings let you match to your ribbon.  And the cheapest of the bunch - I got mine for $400 and they go for less on the internet if you look there.  The ISA One is a great all arounder preamp, esp. if you are starting out.  I don't know why more people don't brag on it.  It works well on most sounds.

For less money I'm not sure.  The Gap, like the Warm, probably has too much mojo, and I would be wary of any cheaper "color" preamps.  A Rane might work but I don't know how much the new ones go for.  The M-Audio is a duo for about $200 and has a goodly amount of gain, but I've never worked directly w/ it on a ribbon or anything else.  It is something I would look at in the lower price range.  Even your interface's preamps, if they have 60 dB or more of gain should work.  The sound is in the ribbon more than the preamp for ribbon mics.  It just takes a bit to drive it.

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http://www.musiciansfriend.com/pro-audio/true-systems-p-solo-ribbon-mic-preamp

CloudLifter is designed to give an under powered pre a 20+ db boost of transparent gain and are also advantageous for ribbons b/c they do not allow 48V to pass. If you have more than one pre that is under powered for ribbons, but still have a tone would liek to use, they would become an option for you, so it can potentially really expand your options and make more use of your existing pres.

Do you have a budget?

quantumeffect

The AEA sound fantastic through the Grace pre’s. 

+1.59786875687


I have the AEA R84 and a Grace M101.

A few hundred? I'd go for a Grace 101 or True P Solo.

Thanks -- this is weird Del - on my email notification, your post is worded "Golden Gate"  R1 Tube so it threw me in the wrong direction when I tried to google it....So this is a ribbon mic that already comes with it's own power source...

Thanks for the clarification and that PDF..... mmm learning a lot here.

I get excellent results with an R84 through a LaChappell 583s w/ an NOS Telekunken tube in it.

As always, it depends on the source.

...and even more confusion - you don't want a to use phantom power with a ribbon mic (you will ruin it). No one mentioned about a variable impedence control also helps to match the mic to the preamp. I have a Art Pro MPA that works well with my ribbon collection - inexpensive, but works well. On the high end, I have a Focusrite ISA. Take care, gs