Choosing a Reslosound Ribbon Microphone

Reslosound microphones, often sold under the shorter Reslo name, are British ribbon designs from the mid-twentieth century. Almost every unit you can buy today is vintage, so choosing one is less about comparing spec sheets and more about checking condition, wiring and whether your recording setup can drive it properly. This guide covers what to confirm before buying, how to connect one safely, and how to judge whether it works for your voice, calls or recordings.

Before you start

A ribbon microphone is a hardware device that works locally. It does not need an account, an app or an online service. Your computer only sees the audio interface or mixer the microphone is plugged into. Any recording, call or upload software you use afterwards has its own file handling and privacy settings, so check those in that software rather than assuming audio stays on your machine.

• An audio interface, mixer or preamp with plenty of clean gain, because passive ribbon microphones have low output.
• The correct cable or adapter. Older units may use a connector other than XLR, or may have been rewired by a previous owner.
• Knowledge of whether the specific unit is high or low impedance, or a way to have it checked.
• A chance to listen to the microphone, or a return option, before the sale is final.
• Headphones and a reasonably quiet room for testing.

Step-by-step instructions

1. Check what the listing actually offers

Look for clear photos of the grille, body and connector. Ask the seller whether the ribbon is original or has been replaced, whether the microphone has been tested recently and how, and whether a stand mount and cable are included. A vague answer about testing is a reason to ask for a sound sample or a return window.

2. Confirm impedance and wiring

Vintage microphones were made in different impedance versions, and some have been modified since. Connecting a high-impedance microphone to a modern low-impedance microphone input, or the reverse, usually gives a weak or thin sound. If the seller cannot confirm the wiring, budget for a technician to check it.

3. Switch off phantom power before connecting

A passive ribbon microphone does not need phantom power. Turn phantom power off on the input before plugging in, and keep it off. A faulty cable or a miswired vintage connector can let phantom power reach the ribbon and damage it. If you use an inline active booster made for ribbon microphones, follow its maker's instructions; such devices take phantom power for themselves and should not pass it to the microphone.

4. Select the input and output device

In your operating system sound settings and in the recording or call app, choose the audio interface as the input device. Choose headphones as the output device so the microphone does not pick up your speakers. Note the previous selections first so you can switch back easily.

5. Set input level and sample rate

Start with the gain low and raise it while speaking at your normal volume until the meter shows a healthy signal that stays clear of clipping on loud words. Make sure the interface and the app use the same sample rate. 48 kHz is a common choice for video calls and video work; a mismatch can cause clicks, dropouts or pitch problems in some setups.

6. Position the microphone

Many ribbon microphones have a figure-8 pattern, picking up sound from the front and back while rejecting the sides. Confirm the pattern of your unit, then aim its least sensitive direction toward fans, windows or other noise. Ribbons are sensitive to bursts of air, so use a pop filter, avoid speaking straight into the grille at close range, and keep the microphone out of drafts.

Check the output

Record a short passage of normal speech and play it back on headphones. Listen for rattles, buzzing or distortion on louder syllables, which can point to a loose or stretched ribbon. If the pattern is figure-8, speak into the front and then the back. Both sides should sound similar in level and tone. Then check the saved file's format, sample rate and bit depth in your recording app, and test once more inside your call app, because call software may apply its own noise suppression or level processing. Ribbon microphones are often described as smooth or dark compared with condenser microphones, so judge the sound against what you want, not against a brighter reference.

Common problems and next steps

• Very quiet signal: the preamp may not have enough gain, the microphone may be plugged into a line or instrument input, or the impedance may not match the input.
• Hum or buzz: check the cable and connector first. High-impedance microphones on long cables pick up hum more easily.
• Rattle or distortion that does not go away at lower levels: stop using the microphone and have the ribbon inspected. Re-ribboning is a job for a technician.
• Hiss or background noise: very high gain raises preamp noise, and the rear pickup of a figure-8 microphone captures room sound. Move closer, reposition, or treat the room.
• The app does not show the microphone: apps list the interface, not the microphone. Select the interface and confirm its driver is installed.

If you mainly need simple, reliable audio for calls, a modern USB or dynamic microphone will usually take less setup. A Reslosound ribbon is worth choosing when you want its vintage character and are prepared to verify its condition, match its wiring and give it a preamp with enough gain.