The ART AR5 has been engineered to deliver incredibly open and natural sounding recordings available only from a classic ribbon microphone with the added advantages available only in a true active ribbon mic design. Classic ribbon diaphragm design delivers the warmest and most natural sound reproduction available from virtually any style of studio microphone. With incredibly fast and accurate transient response and stunning realism, the ART AR5 ribbon element is ideal for today's direct to digital recordings. What sets the AR5 apart from a standard passive ribbon microphone design is the integrated active preamp module that allows the classic ribbon tone to be realized with the added advantages of increased output with more stable frequency and dynamic response when the microphone is used with various differing input channel strips or preamps. Please Note - unlike standard ribbon microphones, the AR5 is active and requires phantom power to operate. Although ribbon microphones are by their nature extremely fragile, the AR5 can handle high sound pressure levels approaching 150dB range. The low-tension 2-micron aluminum ribbons offer audio reproduction with smooth, natural extended low and high frequency response.