Active phantom powered transistor circuit for high output and low impedance

Passive transformer before active circuitry to retain the classic ribbon sound

135dB SPL Handling

High (35dB) Sensitivity

No distortion up to maximum SPL rating

Low self noise

Figure-8 pickup pattern with equal sensitivity from front or back of element\

No proximity effect

The NOS Audio Panther active ribbon microphone mates a passive ribbon element and transformer with an active transistor circuit.  The result is a classic ribbon sound that sounds great with ANY microphone preamp.

Most passive ribbon microphones become loaded down when used with microphone preamps that aren't specifically meant for ribbon microphones.  The result is a loss in high frequencies and output that sounds blanketed.  The very best passive ribbon microphones use extremely high-end transformers to combat this effect but that raises their prices exponentially.

The Panther's active circuit provides the best of both worlds.  The transistor circuit has been tuned to make the transformer always see a proper load, no matter what microphone preamp is being used.  At the same time, the circuit provides a boost in output and a lower noise floor.  The result is a microphone that perform and sounds like the very best passive ribbon microphones at a significantly lower price.

I picked a pair of these up recently looking for a cheaper alternative to the R-121/R-101, and I have to say that the NOS Panther performs admirably. It had the wonderful smooth mid range you would expect from a ribbon, but with plenty of gain due to the Panther's active electronics. Paired with a SM57, the Panther was equally as pleasing to work with for guitar recordings as a Royer would have been, and in fact maybe more so because in the back of my head I kept remembering that it was a fraction of the price! I wouldn't hesitate to add a pair of these to your mic locker!

The silky high end, imaging and clarity of the Panther active ribbon mic is astounding. I've used them as drum overheads and for recording acoustic guitar and the results speak for themselves.