MU-1 2-in-1 Ribbon Mic Redefines Workflow

JZ Microphones has announced the MU-1 2-in-1 ribbon and large-diaphragm microphone, a new hybrid microphone that combines a ribbon motor and a large-diaphragm condenser in a single chassis. The MU-1 2-in-1 ribbon and large-diaphragm microphone is presented as the first-ever two-in-one ribbon and large-diaphragm microphone and was designed by Grammy-winning producer and engineer Marc Urselli. The condenser section uses JZ’s Golden Drop capsule from the Black Hole series, while the ribbon section employs a premium 1.2 µm foil motor, forming a single hybrid capsule architecture. JZ states that the hybrid capsule architecture is patent pending.

The MU-1 ships in August 2026 with a price of €1999 / $1999, and matched pairs are available on request. The microphone includes a five-pin XLR to dual three-pin breakout to record the ribbon and condenser sections as separate channels, supporting phase alignment in multichannel workflows. Marc Urselli says MU-1 is phase-coherent, level-matched, and completely repeatable from session to session, and he adds that it simplifies setup while delivering a broad sonic palette. JZ describes the MU-1 as an approach intended to make engineers’ lives easier by offering integrated options without additional complexity.

JZ Microphones presents the MU-1 2-in-1 ribbon and large-diaphragm microphone as a single-housing hybrid that the company claims is the first-ever two-in-one ribbon and large-diaphragm microphone, combining a ribbon motor with a large-diaphragm condenser within one chassis. The MU-1 was designed by Grammy-winning producer and engineer Marc Urselli, and the condenser section specifically uses JZ’s Golden Drop capsule drawn from the Black Hole series, while the ribbon element is built around a premium 1.2 µm foil motor, all integrated into the unit’s physical architecture. The design unifies these transducer elements into a hybrid configuration that, according to the product information, preserves separate ribbon and condenser characteristics in a consolidated form factor suitable for studio workflows. JZ presents the MU-1 with a technical emphasis on preserving alignment and compatibility between the two transducer types as part of the integrated assembly.

The MU-1’s hybrid capsule architecture is reported as patent pending, and the microphone includes a five-pin XLR to dual three-pin breakout that enables the ribbon and condenser sections to be recorded as individual channels for independent processing. Matched pairs are available upon request for applications that require stereo or pair-matched setups, and the product is scheduled to ship in August 2026 with pricing set at €1999 / $1999. Marc Urselli states that the MU-1 is phase-coherent, level-matched, and completely repeatable from session to session, and the product description highlights that the breakout and individual-channel capability support multichannel recording and phase alignment workflows. The overall specification package focuses on delivering both ribbon and large-diaphragm condenser options from one microphone body while offering matched pairs and breakout connectivity for flexible studio integration.

The MU-1 microphone by JZ Microphones incorporates several innovations aimed at enhancing recording workflows, particularly for professionals who have traditionally used separate ribbon and condenser microphones for their sound-capturing needs. Marc Urselli, a Grammy-winning producer and engineer, emphasizes the distinctive capability of the MU-1 to deliver a phase-coherent, level-matched, and completely repeatable audio experience, which he claims is a first in the industry. The microphone eliminates the need for separate stands and complex alignments typically required when using individual ribbon and condenser microphones.

Urselli explains, “The ribbon-and-condenser technique has been my favourite way of recording things for a long time… However, it involves having to set up two stands, negotiate space, align mics in the physical space, and align their phase afterwards.”

With the MU-1, Urselli highlights the simplification of the setup process, stating, “MU-1 is the first time sound comes out of one microphone – phase-coherent, level-matched, and completely repeatable from session to session. That changes how I work: it delivers the best sound, simplifies setup, delivers options, offers a sonic palette that spans decades and improves everything.” This microphone is strategically designed to maintain consistency across recording sessions, providing an easier, more efficient workflow without sacrificing the quality or character of the sound.

The MU-1 embodies a solution that not only meets high audio standards but also integrates seamlessly into existing systems, making it an attractive option for audio professionals looking to streamline their operations. By offering such innovations, JZ Microphones positions the MU-1 as a forward-thinking choice in the competitive market of professional audio equipment.

JZ Microphones has scheduled the MU-1 to ship in August 2026, with retail pricing set at €1,999 / $1,999. Matched pairs are available on request to accommodate stereo workflows and applications that require pair-matched microphones. Preorders are open, and the announcement includes a preorder link for customers interested in reserving units ahead of shipment.

The launch information also highlights the MU-1’s connectivity and multichannel workflow support—most notably the five-pin XLR to dual three-pin breakout that allows the ribbon and condenser elements to be recorded as separate channels—presenting these availability details alongside the technical specifications to assist studio planning and procurement.

JZ Microphones is identified as the company that announced the MU-1 2-in-1 ribbon and large-diaphragm microphone. Marc Urselli is identified in the source as a Grammy-winning producer and engineer who designed the MU-1. Andris Zemmers is named in the source, but the available sources do not provide this information about his role related to the MU-1. The individuals U2, Nick Cave, Foo Fighters, Lou Reed, and Elton John are mentioned in the source; the available sources do not provide information about their roles related to the MU-1.

“The ribbon-and-condenser technique has been my favourite way of recording things for a long time… However, it involves having to set up two stands, negotiate space, align mics in the physical space, and align their phase afterwards.”

“MU-1 is the first time sound comes out of one microphone – phase-coherent, level-matched, and completely repeatable from session to session. That changes how I work: it delivers the best sound, simplifies setup, delivers options, offers a sonic palette that spans decades and improves everything.”

“At JZ, we’re always looking for innovative, practical ways to make engineers’ lives easier. Not more complicated. MU-1 is exactly that.”

CONCLUSION

The MU-1 2-in-1 ribbon and large-diaphragm microphone is presented by JZ Microphones as a single‑chassis hybrid that the company claims is the first-ever two-in-one ribbon and large-diaphragm microphone, incorporating a large-diaphragm condenser and a ribbon motor into one unit. Grammy-winning producer and engineer Marc Urselli is credited with the microphone’s design, and the product description states technical details including the use of JZ’s Golden Drop condenser capsule and a premium 1.2 µm foil ribbon motor within its hybrid architecture, which is reported as patent pending.

Urselli is quoted describing the MU-1 as “phase-coherent, level-matched, and completely repeatable from session to session,” and the microphone includes a five-pin XLR to dual three-pin breakout that permits recording the condenser and ribbon sections as separate channels for multichannel workflows. The announcement also records shipping and ordering details, including an August 2026 ship date, a price of €1,999 / $1,999 and the availability of matched pairs on request, framing the MU-1 as an integrated technical option for engineers and producers who require consolidated ribbon-and-condenser capability.