Holes Microphone
Which Mic is Right for Me?
Any Ohma Mic will give you excellent results no matter what you’re recording, but there are a few key differences between the mics types that may better suit your needs. You may want to consider the source you’re recording, the space you’re recording in, and the overall sound you’re looking to capture.
A condenser mic is typically best known for having more detail and clarity. This type of mic is very straightforward and “accurate”. The Ohma condenser uses a cardioid polar pattern, meaning it will pick up whatever is in directly front of it and reject sounds from the side and back. The Ohma condenser has a rich character but will still make your source clearly stand out. This mic would be perfect for capturing any type of vocal or instrument where you want a “lifelike” feeling or any other source to enhance nuance and depth. There is no one-size-fits-all in audio, but if you're just starting your recording journey, we recommend starting with the Ohma condenser mic. It will give you a classic sound and is easy to use right away regardless of your current setup.
A ribbon mic is typically known for being darker and having a “softer” quality. Details are not as defined compared to a condenser which translates into a “smooth” sound you may hear many people refer to. The Ohma ribbon has a figure-8 polar pattern meaning it will pick up sound from both the front and the back while rejecting sound from the sides. The Ohma ribbon is perfect for instruments you may want to round the edges of or a brighter source you want to darken up naturally. The Ohma ribbon mic is an excellent complement when you want a darker, smoother, feeling and will also help create a bit of space in your recordings.
No matter what, Ohma World microphones will make sure that your voice, instrument, or any source is accurately captured so that you can create beautiful music.
Looking for more info? Deep dive into our manual and specifications.
Ohma Screens are 100% a choice of personal taste — both visually and sonically.
Choosing the right Ohma Screens for your microphone is all about personal preference. You may prefer to use a single-screen set for all of your sources or pick and choose different sets for different recordings. Depending on what sound you're going for, each screen will shape the sound of your Ohma microphone in a unique way.
Here is a general guide, based on our experience, to help you get started.
Motif
Motif is our flagship screen set and is designed to create a well-rounded, textured sound that is easy on the ears. It has a solid, full-bodied tone that is well balanced between the lows, mids, and highs. This screen sounds "finished" right out of the box and stacks well in a mix; it is transient and versatile, ready for whatever you throw at it.
- Solid, warm, and round sound.
- Well-balanced between the lows, mids, and highs.
- Distinct yet forgiving.
Stripes
Perfect for picking up mid-range tones, electric guitar comes to life with Stripes. It has a very "up-front" sound that will be instantly recognizable to your audience. The transients are also very "snappy," making this mic a great choice for percussive playing and sounds.
- The go-to screen for exciting midrange recordings.
- Great for electric guitar and amped sources.
- "Up-front" recognizable tone.
- Great choice for polishing percussive sounds.
Windows
Get the full, candid sonic essence of the Ohma Debby capsule or Ohma Ribbon. These building blocks can be easily sculpted to your liking. The low-end is plush and smooth, like a newly paved road, and the high-end is naturally open, making these a great choice for those looking for microphones that have a natural, open sound.
- Neutral screen delivering the sonic essence of the Ohma Debby capsule and Ohma Ribbon.
- Natural, open sound.
- Plush and smooth low-end.
Scales
Scales is a go-to with its bright, crisp sound and tamed low end. Any source will be able to cut through a mix with ease. It has "dynamic mic" vibes with less brittleness and more low-end, making it a great choice for near-field recording.
- Bright, crisp sound; great for utility purposes.
- Cuts nicely through a mix.
- Shimmers on guitars and vocals and other sources.
- Great choice for near-field recording.
Holes
Articulate response with gentle lows and a smooth top-end. It has a natural roll-off in the low end that lends itself well to a clear and brighter sound. It's an overall "chill hang" of a screen.
- Designed to reduce low frequencies and add clarity to the highs.
- Smooth sound with defined transients.
- Natural roll-off mitigates proximity effect and tilts sound to a brighter range.
Description
Holes features an articulate response with gentle lows and a smooth top-end. It has a natural roll-off in the low end that lends itself well to a clear and brighter sound. It's an overall "chill hang" of a screen.
- Designed to reduce low frequencies and add clarity to the highs.
- Smooth sound with defined transients.
- Natural roll-off mitigates proximity effect and tilts sound to a brighter range
- Includes: sturdy drawer box, two Ohma 1.21 mm guitar picks, microphone clip.
The Ohma Condenser features our signature, handmade capsule (“The Debby”) and a vintage Cinemag transformer for extra character. It has a cardioid pattern and edge-terminated construction designed to provide a timeless sound with an extended frequency response - striking a perfect balance of classic color and musical detail.
The Ohma Ribbon combines classic figure-of-8 ribbon mic characteristics with added detail and definition, providing smooth, and forgiving transients that complement any source. It features a custom Lehle transformer and an active circuit requiring +48v phantom power that allows for more clarity in your sound and is compatible with all types of recording setups.
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Specifications
Specs ⚡︎ Manual ⚡︎ How-Tos ⚡︎ Support ⚡︎ Frequency Responses ⚡︎ Listening Library
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Testimonials
Mike Tierney
The Ohma ribbon microphone has an instantly classic sound while being uniquely versatile for a ribbon. It's naturally smooth and deep, but each screen gives it a different character and flavor. I always reach for it when I want an instrument to sound huge and weighty(!)
Brooklyn based three time Grammy-nominated studio engineer & producer.
Jimmy Hua
As a live sound engineer and producer, the pair of Ohma Motifs I own have been extremely versatile and reliable. It has that forward condenser sound but also tapers off on the top end like a vintage tube condenser mic. I’ve used it on vocals, guitar cab, bass cab, drum overheads and couldn’t be happier.
Studio & live sound engineer, Producer, Guitarist
Ginger Root, Upsahl, Kamasi Washington
All Made Up
Inspiring to look at and create with and made in LA is a win for me.
Studio engineer, Producer, Bassist
Weyes Blood, JP Saxe, Mayer Hawthorne
Louis Ng
As someone who often records music on-location, there's only so many microphones I can carry to the gig. Fortunately, Ohma microphones offer a unique feature where the microphone's "hearing" can change by swapping screens. With a variety of their screens in my arsenal, I am able to adapt my Ohma mic to a number of different situations and help my client achieve the sound they seek!
Location sound engineer specializing in classical performance.
Kevin Winrich
I love my Ohma mics! Owning both the ribbon and condenser, I find myself reaching for them more frequently in sessions. The ribbon stands up to any other ribbon in my collection and often outperforms, with a rich low frequency response and a surprisingly natural high end extension uncommon to most ribbon mics. It has become my go-to for mid-side applications.
The condenser is a true workhorse, undoubtedly due to the capsule design. It is one of the most musical and natural sounding capsules I've come across and is a testament to Sammy and Charlene's invaluable years of experience in mic design. To put it simply, the condenser transparently captures almost any source, which to me is the definition of a great mic.
That said, if you feel you need a bit more character to either the condenser or the ribbon, just utilize the ingenious interchangeable screens that make Ohma mics truly unique. To me, the greatest advantage of the screens is the ability to change the mic response on the front end, resulting in less post-processing and a more natural mix. I'm a big fan of Scales on the condenser when I want to add a subtle and natural shimmer on vocals or overheads.
Finally, I would be remiss not to mention the look of the mics. Every person to whom I've shown the mics has been immediately captivated, which is no surprise. They are simply unlike any mic, with their custom coloring and unique body design. I always respond, 'They are beautiful, but wait til you hear how they sound.' Ohma mics are both visual and sonic works of art.
Studio & live sound engineer, Producer, Drummer
Bad Suns, Delta Spirit
Dereck Blackburn
I recently acquired a condenser and ribbon microphone from Ohma Microphones and they’ve been an absolute pleasure to work with in the studio. I really love the forward-thinking but classic design and sound from both microphones and find they cover a wide array of sources with ease. They are easy to place in front of any source due to their aesthetic design. The interchangeable screens are simple and easy to swap out and there is a distinct sound to each one, my favorites being Stripes and Motif. Stripes on the condenser is my new favorite electric guitar mic. On small amps or half stacks, the midrange of any tone I throw at it comes through with detail. I especially love it on small amps like the Fender Princeton and Vox Pathfinder. The Motif I prefer on the ribbon as it seems to balance out the sound a bit, especially on vocals and things like hand or mallet percussion.
They are both extremely versatile microphones and this screen system extends their flexibility to just about any source in the modern recording studio. The sound quality overall is impressive. I know the designers are experienced and that legacy shows in the design and sound quality of these microphones.
These microphones are serious tools and I can see them being classics (especially in my studio) for years to come.
Studio & mastering engineer, Producer
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