ART AR5 Active Ribbon Microphone Review and Demo

[@joesalyers]

I swear I have thought about a pair of these to use as Live overheads for around a year now but there wasn't any good demos!! Thanks for doing this, I'm ordering a pair NOW.

[@TwinCreekAudio]

These are really good ribbon mics. I'm seriously impressed with it. It has plenty of gain for any mic pre and has more high end than I expected. I love this one the guitar cabinet and I'm thinking about getting another one for overheads so I'm right there with you on that. I had been considering some Rode mics or more expensive ribbons but I think these are a much better value and maybe even more versatile.

[@MARIO.GUITAR]

Sounds very good... Do you find the noise levels acceptable? I've read the AR5 is noisy.

[@TwinCreekAudio]

It still needs a good clean preamp with a good amount of gain so if you use a clean and quiet preamp, it can be quite acceptable. Works great on louder sources with almost anything. I like it on guitar cabs and as a room mic for drums the best I think. It does have a bit of noise but it's not bad if used with a quiet preamp.

[@MARIO.GUITAR]

@@TwinCreekAudio Thanks for the reply!

[@zakaroonetwork777]

I would love to hear this mic an Acoustic guitar withe the A&H System 8 preamps. Please

[@TwinCreekAudio]

I would love to but I don't have the System 8 anymore. I have some other cool preamps I haven't tried with the AR5 though.

[@ruby2thursday]

if you like the ART ribbon, you might try the Sterling 170T....excellent. not saying anything wrong with the ART. MXL R144 is also interesting.

[@TwinCreekAudio]

I have a modified MXL R144 that's pretty good. My friend Travis at Strangebird was just telling me about the Sterling ribbon mics. I'm gonna have to check those out. He recommended trying the matched pairs of the Sterling ST-170 active ribbon mics as well or even an AEA N22. The ART isn't bad at all for the money though. I'm gonna keep it and try it on drums next.

[@legacyShredder1]

I've got a pair of the Sterling ST170 ribbons that I bought new for next to nothing. I think I spent around $60-70 each when I found them on sale online at Guitar Center 10 or so months ago. I own and operate a commercial studio so I've got a substantial collection of mics. The ST170 mics are impressive considering the price and the fact they're a Guitar Center house brand. They sound like a ribbon should, however the will distort fairly easily despite being active.

[@joshmcdzz6925]

The ART ribbon mic is way way better than the Sterling 170T. I thought the sterling was going to be very good based on the spec but the sound is AWFUL ( very mid rangy and no lows ) which is not the case of the ART ( pretty neutral sounding with true fidelity ).. I am disappointed in the sterling esp when the marketing sounded convincing around the internet..

[@jmizzbeatsj-jigga7888]

Could you contact them please and tell them I would like for them to make a trans stereo Eq to add to the trans Line

[@TwinCreekAudio]

I would but I don't know who to contact. I just bought the mic for myself and I've had no contact with ART. It would be cool if they would get in touch though. I'd love to test the Transy and anything else they make. I'm a big fan of ART products.

[@jmizzbeatsj-jigga7888]

@@TwinCreekAudio thank I got in contact they say it definitely sounds like a good idea and he going ask the guys there he said also you know whatvut might be real soon that will be dope fingers cross man lol. Aight thank you highly 🙏

[@TwinCreekAudio]

@@jmizzbeatsj-jigga7888 you are welcome! I will try to get in touch with more manufacturers in the future if I can. I havent had much time lately as I started a new job.

[@jmizzbeatsj-jigga7888]

@@TwinCreekAudio thats okay I understand thankbyou highly appreciate it 🙏