I would like to get my first ribbon mic but I don't have much money. Any recommendations for cheap ribbon mics that sound nice? I'm primarily looking to record female vocals but would probably use as a room mic or maybe for strings.

I was looking at numerous Nady mics, like the RSM-2 or, alternatively, an Apex 205

Been using the regular, cheaper Cascade Fatheads as my drum overheads for years now, a bit mid-heavy but they respond well to eq. Have also used them on vibraphone with good results.

+1 on Cascade. I had a chance to hear one side by side with the more expensive Royer R-10 recently and they sounded pretty dang close. That said, I haven't liked either on vocals yet, but these types of mics are great as drum overheads/distant mics and on acoustic guitar.

Another +1 on the Cascade. I've had a Gomez, which is basically their most souped up Fathead (now discontinued) for years. It's awesome. I also have a Coles 4038 which does sound better, but they're closer than one might like to admit with almost a $1,000 difference in price.

As stated above, I take a whole different approach to eq'ing a ribbon like that. Usually a wide, high shelf boosting the upper frequencies, sometimes kind of a lot, and it just sounds good. Usually a high pass filter as well unless I'm looking for some boom down under.

I love my Cascade Vin-Jet for vocals and guitars. Seems a touch more bright, and more versatile than the Fathead. I used the Fathead on some heavy and mellow guitars this week with an SM7 and I was very pleased with the results.

If it's ever back in stock, I'm planning to get a few of these Monoprice LR-100's. They've been out of stock for months (probably stuck in a canal or something)
https://www.monoprice.com/product?p_id=625908

In the review section is a positive and thoughtful review by someone with the handle Peter J, which (questionably? ) makes some reference to a Coles 4038. Worth a read at least.

I'm a fan of monoprice in general (I use lots of their AV stuff at work) they're local to me in southern CA, and they released this mic recently along with a tube mic (apex 460 circuit) and a few other FET condensers. I have a few of their Multipartern FET condensers, the LC200, which is comparable to other Chinese mics of similar design, though with an admittedly less heavy duty body than most. I'd expect the body of the ribbon to be the same quality.

You can't beat the price, and they do have sales often enough. Here's hoping they restock

The Nady RSM-5 was my first ever ribbon mic. I've used them for various applications... Most often as drum overheads, or a room mic for guitar cab. Tried them for vocals and didn't really like it. They give off a darker, yet detailed and fairly warm tone.

Using a ribbon mic for the first time ever (after almost 10 years of recording music) was a bit of a shock for me, as I imagine it might be for you. Because they provide a much different tonality than a dynamic or condenser.

I'll also mention I think these Nady RSM-5 mics perform well, but over time if you really beat em up they may decline in usability.

I had XLR to 1/4" cables plugged into them and I believe overloaded them with gain (by trying to emulate the hot-signal-to-tape sounds of Big Star) ...which didn't make them unusable, but certainly I don't believe they've been the same since. They basically were outputting a very low signal with max gain settings after I blew them out, then suddenly, a decent increase in signal once I switched back to XLR cables. Who knows...

I've switched to the sE Voodoo and I also have used the sE XR-1's both of which are better than the Nady RSM-5 for sure.

samar

I have two Oktava MJI-53 mics that I like. I think you can still find them cheap. They also have a newer model that I really want to try when I have some extra dough. The fat heads are really great like everyone has said here and I'm looking forward to buying more. I have never used a Royer so I can't say anything + or - about them.

check out xaudia.com, great cheap restored ribbons