recordinghacks

BidirectionalSamson VR88

MSRP: $750 Bidirectional Active Ribbon Microphone

Samson VR88

Description

The VR88 is a long-geometry ribbon that requires 48v phantom power; the built-in phantom power circuit gives the mic 8-10 dB hotter output than passive ribbon mics.

The mic ships in an aluminum flight case, with included yoke mount, shock mount, right-angle XLR cable, and warranty.

Electronic Musician

Compared with the typically crisp and detailed response of a good condenser, the VR88s sounded a bit veiled and dark on drum overheads, but the sound was smooth and had decent definition — definitely usable. It captured plenty of resonance on steel-string acoustic guitar, but it was a bit dark for my taste and lacked sparkle.

Baritone sax sounded warm and smooth through the VR88. The mic’s characteristics were also well suited for cello, sounding rich and full. A female vocalist with a smoky voice was well represented by the mic’s velvety response. While not as present as a Royer R-121 on an electric guitar cabinet, it still held its own and captured great tone.

Pro Audio Review

The sound [on a drum room application] was unmistakably ribbon, with a delightfully emphasized bottom, an overall (compressed) smoothness dynamically and an understated, rolled off top end. Side by side with the AEA R92… the VR88 was a little darker, a little slower with transients and a little less “real” sounding in its soundstage. There was a certain irregularity in the mids …[that] made the VR88 sound a little further back, but after some EQing … and extreme limiting (about 12dB) the resulting sound was nicely “in my face” and attention-grabbing without nasty condenser mic transients.

The Samson VR88 is also known as: VR-88.

The mic was released in 2006.

Pickup Patterns Pads & Filters
  • Bidirectional (30 - 16,000 Hz)
Ribbon Construction Impedance Max SPL
2.5'', 2-micron aluminum ribbon n/a 138 dB
Weight Length Max Diameter Interface(s)
500g (17.64oz) 178mm (7.01'') 32mm (1.26'')
  • 3-pin XLR male (1)
Power Specifications
  • Requires Phantom Power
  • Phantom voltage: 48v

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