The ribbon microphone is also known as ribbon velocity microphone, it is a very simple design with no built-in electrical circuit. They are called ribbon as they are built with thin aluminium or nanofilm which is conductive ribbon placed between the poles of a magnet to produce a voltage they are bidirectional so they pick up sounds equally well from either side of the microphone.
RODE NTR RIBBON MIC
The rode NTR microphone features
Highly sensitive 1.8 micron ribbon element
Bi-Directional Polar Pattern
Internal Shock Mounting System
Custom designed and manufactured transformer
Heavy-duty matte black finish
Ribbon-securing travel screw supplied
Designed and manufactured in Australia
Rode Ribbon Mic Polar Pattern
Due to their bidirectional pick-up pattern, ribbon microphones can be used for duets as they can pick up from both sides. Bidirectional microphones, (also known as figure-of-eight devices) pick up an equal level of sound from the front and the rear, but sound from the side is blocked out, hence the '8'-shaped polar pattern. These particular microphones are also used in the popular 'Blumlein' and 'mid/side' stereo recording techniques.
The RODE NTR polar pattern shown above
Rode Ribbon Mic Frequency Response
Ribbon Mics have a high-frequency response and tend to reach a higher frequency than a dynamic microphone (around 14kHz).
The specific RODE NTR ribbon mic start at a frequency range of 20Hz – 20kHz.
Rode Ribbon NTR Mic Uses
Ribbon microphones were once delicate and expensive, but modern materials make certain present-day ribbon microphones very durable, and so they may be used for loud rock music and stage work.
They can also be used for radio broadcasting station live and also on tv or film making.
Reviews for a ribbon mic
Review 1 from this link https://www.audiotechnology.com/reviews/ribbon-roundup-rode-ntr-nude-stereo-ribbon-se-x1r
Where the NTR really shines is the combination of its active circuitry with that whopping transformer to provide loads of gain with very little noise. The output level is wholly un-ribbon-like. If you come to the Rode NTR expecting to have to pony up for a preamp with 70dB of ultra-clean gain for any quieter sources — a la a conventional ribbon design — think again. Overall, the RØDE was a joy to work with. It gives you that classic ribbon character, with a little more top-end extension. The key here is a much higher output level than other ribbons and a sound that takes EQ superbly, without the burden of unwanted noise. With the attention to detail RØDE puts into getting these ribbons right, the sound I was hearing will no doubt be the sound you will.
Review 2 from this link https://www.musicradar.com/reviews/tech/rode-ntr-622802
On a variety of sound sources we found the mic to deliver a very natural representation of whatever was put in front of it with plenty of low-end and a clear top with a natural roll off... it's worth mentioning the mic's strong proximity effect which can be worked for a richer vocal texture. Something else that can be worked is the mic's null points where the extreme rejection from the sides can come in handy, reducing bleed from other instruments.
Advantages and Disadvantages of the Rode Ribbon Mic
Advantages
. Natural smooth silky sound
. Figure of 8 pattern
· Built-in shock mounting
· Good quality sound
· Lightweight
Disadvantages
· Expensive
· Old type of microphone
· They needed huge magnets and were therefore bulky
· Ribbon microphones can be fragile