RCA 77D

^# 12

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$1,449.99 Price Tier: Standard

5.0 (2)

This product is Vintage or Discontinued

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Page last updated Jun 08, 2026

Pricing and availability

We compare 600+ stores and found this item at 1 store. Prices updated June 8, 2026.

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Price

5.0 (8)

$1,449.99 8 available Used

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Average Price: $1,450

Standard/Professional

$499

$1500+

Price Tier

In the Ribbon Microphones category, RCA 77D is priced in the upper end of the Standard/Professional range. This is quality gear at a fair price point, suitable for beginners, hobbyists, and pros alike.

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Standard

High-end

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Description

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Step back in time with the RCA 77D, a legendary ribbon microphone that has captured the essence of sound since its inception. Revered by audio engineers and musicians alike, this iconic mic offers a unique blend of vintage charm and timeless performance. Originally introduced in the 1950s, the RCA 77D is renowned for its smooth, natural sound reproduction, making it an excellent choice for capturing vocals, acoustic instruments, and more.

The RCA 77D features a distinctive design with an elongated, pill-shaped body and a rotating polar pattern selector, allowing you to switch between cardioid, bidirectional, and omnidirectional modes. This versatility ensures you can tailor the microphone's response to suit a variety of recording environments. The ribbon transducer at its core delivers a warm, rich sound that is particularly flattering for vocal recordings, lending an authenticity that is hard to replicate with modern condenser mics.

Crafted with precision and attention to detail, the RCA 77D remains a sought-after piece of studio gear, offering both historical significance and high-quality audio performance. Whether you're a professional engineer or an avid hobbyist, this microphone is a testament to the art of sound recording.

Key Features:

Ribbon transducer for warm, natural sound
Rotating polar pattern selector: cardioid, bidirectional, and omnidirectional
Iconic vintage design
Suitable for vocals and acoustic instruments
Known for capturing authentic and rich audio quality
Ideal for studio recording environments

Product specs

Brand	RCA
Model	77-D Ribbon Microphone
Finish	Silver / Red Badge
Year	1945 - 1955
Made In	United States
Categories	Microphones
Electronics	Analog, Passive
Microphone Type	Ribbon
Polar Pattern	Multipattern
Wired/Wireless	Wired

FAQs

What is the primary application of the RCA 77D ribbon microphone?: The RCA 77D is a versatile ribbon microphone primarily used for recording vocals, brass instruments, and guitars, offering rich lows and smooth mids and highs.
What polar pattern options does the RCA 77D offer?: The RCA 77D features a multipattern design, allowing users to select between different polar patterns for various recording situations.
How does the RCA 77D differ from the RCA 77DX model?: The RCA 77D precedes the 77DX, which features an improved magnet and transformer, providing slightly more output compared to the 77D.
Is the RCA 77D suitable for modern recording environments?: Yes, the RCA 77D is still highly regarded for its classic sound and is sought after for recording vocals and instruments in both vintage and modern studio settings.
What are the notable sound characteristics of the RCA 77D microphone?: The RCA 77D is known for its rich, warm sound with silky smooth mids and highs, making it ideal for capturing detailed and natural audio.

Videos

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bigdmc1

Restoring & testing an RCA 77D ribbon microphone

bigdmc1

RCA 77D and Altec / Western Electric 639a VIDEO comparison

eddie ciletti

RCA 77D and Western / Altec 639a Microphone comparison

eddie ciletti

Reviews

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PROS

Lifelike sound reproduction, feels like the source is right in front of you
Versatile, excellent on vocals, harmony, strings, pianos, horns, and more
Detailed harmonic capture, especially shines on steel drums
Can be easily repaired and restored, adding to its longevity
Maintains natural sound quality, countering the digital age's harshness
Less complex structure makes it durable and reliable over time
Considered by many as the finest sounding microphone available

CONS

Requires a high-end preamp and possibly a Cloud Lifter for enough gain
Prices have significantly increased, making it a costly investment

Owner Insights

We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about RCA 77D.

Use cases and applications

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The RCA 77D is praised for its performance on acoustic guitars and voiceover work, especially when paired with a Grace M101 mic pre and Apogee element 24 interface.
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The UA 610 and UA LA610 MKII preamps pair well with the RCA 77D for capturing harmonic content in piano, acoustic instruments, and strings, enhancing their natural warmth.
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Setup and maintenance

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Restoration by specialists can include cosmetic work, new ribbon installation, and replacing XLR cables to enhance functionality after decades of disuse.
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Mods and upgrades

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An Atlas microphone stand from the 1940s, found in a radio station basement, complements the RCA 77D, providing sturdy support for tall users.
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Features and functionality

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The RCA 77D benefits from a new ribbon and internal work when restored, significantly improving its performance after not being used for over 30 years.
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0 0

The UA 610 preamp's impedance switch is specifically beneficial for passive ribbon mics like the RCA 77D, allowing for optimal sound customization.
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Comparisons

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The RCA 77D, when paired with a UA 1008, offers a distinct sound compared to more modern-sounding AEA and Royer mics, which are also used with tube preamps.
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User experience

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Users report that pairing the RCA 77D with the right preamp, such as a Hardy or Focusrite Red 3, prevents excessive coloration and maintains clarity in recordings.
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5.0 out of 5

Based on 0 Reviews and 2 Ratings

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Artist usage

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Jack White

Singer, Guitarist

The White Stripes

Verified via Soundonsound

Used on the album 'Lazarettto'. "I recorded Jack’s vocals mainly with a Shure SM57. Sometimes we used a Neumann U47, as well as an RCA 77D and a Shure SM7, and I often pushed his vocals hard through an 1176(...)"

St. Vincent

Singer, Guitarist

The Polyphonic Spree

Verified via Guitarcenter

Extract from the interview: "Did you sing into any vintage mics when you recorded at Electric Lady?

For this album, I used an RCA 77. It’s an old broadcasting ribbon mic from the ’40s that I love."

Daniel Lanois

Guitarist, Music Producer

Verified via Mixonline

(This article)[https://www.mixonline.com/recording/daniel-lanois-shines-alone-365055], describing Lanois' studio setup. "For microphones, he’s fairly set in his ways: He says he hasn’t seen any improvement in the technology over the years. He listed these time-tested models as favorites: Sony C37A, Neumann U47 and U48, RCA 77 and 44 ribbons, and the more modern Sony 800-T. He also likes dynamic mics such as the Shure Beta 57 and 58, and the Sennheiser 409 and 421"

Jay Buchanan

Singer

Rival Sons

Verified via YouTube

Used for vocals on Hollow Bones, as can be seen in "Hollow Bones (the making of) pt. 2" at 0:29.

Ali Shaheed Muhammad

Music Producer, DJ

A Tribe Called Quest

Verified via AEA Ribbon Mics & Preamps

Mentioned on Muhammad's official AEA artist page.

"In a world where a plug-in can be an instant fix to certain recordings, I changed out my RCA d77 to the KU4 and like an instant plug-in fix my drums were snapping like an old recording but also with a different character. A very likable character. It is as if I took an air blower to blow off 60 years of dust. Don’t get me wrong, dust and grit on drums can be a great thing but clarity is important too."

Steve Johnson

Drummer

Alabama Shakes

Verified via Soundonsound

According to Sound on Sound interview with Shawn Everett, Johnson also used RCA 77D for micing drums.

Nat King Cole

Singer, Keyboardist

The Nat King Cole Trio

Verified via Photo

Visible in this photo of Cole.

The GOASTT

Guitarist, Composer

Verified via MusicRadar

"We didn't really need any fancy equipment - we just recorded right into Pro Tools with a RCA 77 microphone, which is an old ribbon-type mic from the '60s.""