Fostex M88RP Printed Ribbon Microphone, Bi-Directional (Figure-8), Near Mint with Original Box

This is a cult classic. The Fostex M88RP is one of the great sleeper mics in pro audio. You get the warm, smooth, musical character of a ribbon, with toughness and reliability that classic ribbons can only dream of.

Fostex spent years developing the RP (Regulated Phase) Laboratory Series around its “printed ribbon” element. Instead of a fragile strip of foil, the diaphragm is a flat coil printed onto a film. The result has the silky top end and natural low end that ribbon lovers chase, without the anxiety. It doesn’t need batteries or phantom power, and it isn’t fragile.

Why engineers love the M88RP:

• Ribbon warmth without the fragility. It’s smooth and musical, never harsh, and it’s built to handle real sessions.
• A true figure-8 pattern. The element is physically symmetrical, so front and back respond identically. It’s great for M-S and Blumlein stereo, two-singer or duet setups, and capturing room ambience.
• It handles loud sources. Fostex rated its RP mics at under 0.2% THD at 130 dB SPL. Put it in front of guitar cabs, brass and drum rooms with confidence.
• Built-in tone shaping. A three-position switch lets you dial in proximity effect and low end for close or distant placement.
• Vintage and discontinued. These don’t come up often, especially in this condition.

Great on: electric guitar cabinets, horns and woodwinds, strings, drum overheads and room mics, acoustic guitar, voiceover, and M-S stereo setups.

Specs:

• Type: Printed ribbon (flat-coil dynamic)
• Polar pattern: Bi-directional (figure-8)
• Frequency response: 40 Hz – 18 kHz
• Impedance: 600 Ω
• Sensitivity: –52 dB (2.5 mV/Pa)
• Switch: three-position tone/low-cut
• Dimensions: 52 x 46 x 136 mm
• Weight: 330 g
• No phantom power or batteries required

Condition: Fantastic. This mic was purchased in Japan and has been used only once, so it’s about as close to new as a vintage M88RP gets. The original box is in great shape too, which is rare for these.

Included: Fostex M88RP, original box

Shipping: Carefully packed / local pickup available in the SF East Bay

Questions are welcome. If you know, you know.