Sterling Audio ST170 Review
Active Ribbon Microphone
Highlighted Customer Reviews
Showing 1 to 20 of 20 Reviews
Great on brass instruments
Sterling Audio ST170 Active Ribbon Microphone
Reviewed by Mic Fan on Guitar Center
The biggest challenge recording brass instruments is they tend to be bright and harsh. Brass instruments have such a beautiful sound, but their complex overtones and pure quality can get lost in recordings. Using the best gear you can is always worth the investment to maintain or preserve the subtleties of acoustic instruments. I will only use ribbon microphones on brass instruments from here on out. They capture a brass instrument the way they sound naturally.
Check phase
Sterling Audio ST170 Active Ribbon Microphone
Reviewed by Steve on Guitar Center
Bought two of these to try for various uses including overheads and blumlein stereo pair. Individually they sounded great in every situation where ribbons traditionally excel. Noise is not bad and output level very good. Very smooth and silky compared with some condensers on the same source. BUT when used together or with other mics it was immediately apparent something was wrong. One of them had the phase reversed!! Easy fix once I discovered the reason for the thin muted sound. Mount the one that is backwards in phase so that the back side is forward, or flip the phase at the preamp. Annoying but I suppose acceptable at this price. Make sure you check the phase with your other mics even if you buy only one. Mark the side that should be the "front" and enjoy. ... More
Great Product
Sterling Audio ST170 Active Ribbon Microphone
Reviewed by InHisService on Guitar Center
Outstanding warm Mic and considering how inexpensive it is for a powered ribbon you just can't go wrong. Buy a couple and get that vintage sound going in your studio!
Excellent value - exceptional quality
Sterling Audio ST170 Active Ribbon Microphone
Reviewed by Vernon on Guitar Center
Added this mic to my growing collection to fill the void of not having an active ribbon. I record both amps and string instruments (cello/double bass) and this delivers really excellent sound quality. I researched on YouTube and via several sites relating to home recording. This mic really delivers.
Pretty amazing mics these guys make
Sterling Audio ST170 Active Ribbon Microphone
Reviewed by Petros on Guitar Center
I have a medium ok set up with decent AD/DA and preamps and noticed that expensive mics tend to sound not a whole lot different than mid priced Sterling mics (with my medium ok setup) So I have been buying their mid priced mics rather than going for one high end and this ribbon mic sounds soo great it's hard to believe they can make these for this price. Sounded exactly like the source with no EQ or compression. (But of course it needs it for the mix) Just a point I read that you should test the mic you get for loose ribbon tension by listening on headphones and gently rock the mic from side to side making each side of the ribbon parallel to the floor. If the ribbon is too loose you'll hear a distinct clanging sound as the ribbon bangs into itself. ... More
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Excellent Mic for The Price
Sterling Audio ST170 Active Ribbon Microphone
Reviewed by wayne on Guitar Center
I purchased this mic to add to my never ending mic cabinet. I seen all the high praises about this mic being used for recording amps/cabs as well as other instruments and vocals, So I caught it on sale for a little under a hundred bucks and glad I did. It's really impressive for getting that low-end on my amps blending it with my SM57 for the high-end. It really captures the low-end without making it muddy or just too noisy like a lot of cheaper mics and even better than some mid-grade mics that cost a lot more. For the price and all the extras that comes with it you are getting a mic that should cost 3 or 4 times the price. ... More
What a deal for a great mic!
Sterling Audio ST170 Active Ribbon Microphone
Reviewed by Randy on Guitar Center
Bought to use with any hand percussion recorded in my little studio- easy to use and sounds fab. As with any mic, it's what you use it for and how you use it and this one is really easy to do that with. Good amount of output, more high end than my other ribbons, and being small and lightweight makes positioning effortless. Just started to use it with acoustic guitar, electric guitar, and upright bass- still figuring it out on these instruments but I'm extremely confident it will do the job very well. I highly recommend one of these whether you have another ribbon or not. You will find a use for it. ... More
A nesceity for every studio pro or home.
Sterling Audio ST170 Active Ribbon Microphone
Reviewed by Sonically Motivated on Guitar Center
Superb versatility and unique functionality from a ribbon. The fact that it's active gives you so much drive yet keeps things clean and stays true to the needs of a ribbon mic. Great for beginners pros and hobby Bobbies. You won't accidentally blow it with phantom power since it needs it! Perfect for recording Guitar Cabs and orchestra instruments and amazing as a room mic for tracking Drums!
well made, havent had a chance to put it through it's paces.
Sterling Audio ST170 Active Ribbon Microphone
Reviewed by D Bemis on Guitar Center
Like my headline stated I haven't had a chance to really use it yet.. In tests it has a clear sound... like heavier on the low end maybe low mids than I expected... would love a frequency response graph!!... but it's well made and a good addition to my mic box... wanted a ribbon mic and the deal of the day was a no brainer and I bought two!!
Amazing Bargan
Sterling Audio ST170 Active Ribbon Microphone
Reviewed by Van on Guitar Center
I have two of these mics and have found them to be excellent for instrumental recording. In a sonic comparison with a name brand active ribbon mic there was no audible difference. At their list price they are a great value. On sale they are an unbeatable bargain. By two of these. You'll be glad you did.
NICE!
Sterling Audio Buy 2 and Save: ST170 Ribbon Microphone Pair
Reviewed by Mark H. on Guitar Center
I have many mics. SM57 to Neumanns. Never had a ribbon. Bought this on an inpulse and yes I am happy! Plugged in my Strat toa Tweed Deluxe with the Ribbon thru an API pre-amp. Killer full body sound that catchs the warmth of the guitar, much better than an SM57. Added a little high EQ to bring up the sparkle and this is great. My new goto guitar amp mic and the price is way good. Very pleased!!
Perfect for Accordion and Kick/Room mic.
Sterling Audio ST170 Active Ribbon Microphone
Reviewed by lui on Guitar Center
Bought this mic for drum room mic duty. Im stunned how great it sounds. Nice warm tone. Also tried it on Accordion and wow..!! It's now my go to Drum Room and Accordion Mic. My only regret is not grabbing the pair.
5 STAR - Excellent Sound - Very Sensitive
Sterling Audio ST170 Active Ribbon Microphone
Reviewed by Ryan on Guitar Center
This microphone requires 48V phantom power. We use a yamaha mixing board to power it. We had to buy the correct microphone cable (TRS) in order for it to work. After we got it set up it became our all-time favorite microphone. Using for podcasts, singing, and sound effects now.
This thing is FLAT
Sterling Audio ST170 Active Ribbon Microphone
Reviewed by Chris on Guitar Center
I will echo what everybody else says: this thing records exactly what you put in front of it. There is no coloration. It's incredible. And the shock mount seems more than adequate. I have actually used it for my SM 58 also.
Great mic for recording
Sterling Audio ST170 Active Ribbon Microphone
Reviewed by Jay on Guitar Center
I use this as a second mic for recording guitar amps, along with SM57. I really like the clarity and true sound of this mic. And, the price is really good for such a high quality mic.
ST170
Sterling Audio ST170 Active Ribbon Microphone
Reviewed by Dana on Guitar Center
New to ribbon mics but, trying this with an SM57. Nice warm natural sound. Good mix with the SM57. Gives you more of what you heard in the room. Great bargain at the current price.
Banjo sounds real
Sterling Audio ST170 Active Ribbon Microphone
Reviewed by mr. eric on Guitar Center
Is nice upgrade from improper gear For playing banjo and voice.
Should have purchased long ago.
Sterling Audio Buy 2 and Save: ST170 Ribbon Microphone Pair
Reviewed by Bill on Guitar Center
Very nice. Need a pop screen for vocals-for sure. I like them.
I would buy this again.
Sterling Audio ST170 Active Ribbon Microphone
Reviewed by G on Guitar Center
Flat response. Good for drink overheads and instrument micing
Good stuff cheap
Sterling Audio ST170 Active Ribbon Microphone
Reviewed by Fat yogi on Guitar Center
No comment at this time.
