For makers and artists: the dual-capsule dream is finally in one box
Latvian audio hardware firm JZ Microphones has launched the MU-1, a device it asserts is the world’s first microphone to combine a ribbon element with a large-diaphragm condenser capsule. The innovation aims to eliminate the logistical friction of traditional dual-mic setups while delivering the sonic versatility engineers have long sought.
A workflow revolution for top-tier producers
The unit was engineered by Grammy-winning producer and engineer Marc Urselli. His resume includes work with U2, Nick Cave, Foo Fighters, Lou Reed, and Elton John. Urselli has frequently employed ribbon and condenser pairs to capture single sources, but he identified a persistent bottleneck in that workflow.
“The ribbon-and-condenser technique has been my favourite way of recording things for a long time,” Urselli says. “However, it involves having to set up two stands, negotiate space, align mics in the physical space, and align their phase afterwards.”
He argues that the MU-1 resolves these issues by outputting a phase-coherent, level-matched signal from a single unit. The result is a repeatable sonic palette that spans decades, simplifying the physical setup without compromising on options.
Engineering the hybrid capsule
Physically, the MU-1 houses two distinct capsules within a single chassis. Removing the top reveals both the ribbon and condenser elements. The condenser side utilises the Golden Drop capsule, familiar to users of JZ’s Black Hole series. The ribbon side employs a premium 1.2 µm foil motor, which the manufacturer claims provides higher sensitivity and finer detail. JZ Microphones holds a patent pending for this specific hybrid architecture.
Connectivity is designed for flexibility. The unit features a five-pin XLR input that splits into a dual three-pin breakout cable. This allows users to plug directly into the single body or use the breakout to record each capsule as an independent channel.
Practical innovation over complexity
Andris Zemmers, CEO of JZ Microphones, emphasises that the goal was to make engineers’ lives easier, not more complicated. “At JZ, we’re always looking for innovative, practical ways to make engineers’ lives easier. Not more complicated. MU-1 is exactly that,” Zemmers states. “It takes a technique the best engineers in the world already love, and removes every obstacle between them and the sound. That’s the kind of innovation we care about.”
Key takeaways
- The MU-1 combines a ribbon and large-diaphragm condenser capsule into a single unit, eliminating the need for dual stands and manual phase alignment.
- Designed by Marc Urselli, the microphone offers a workflow that simplifies setup while maintaining the sonic options of a traditional ribbon-and-condenser pair.
- Priced at €1999 / $1999, the unit ships in August 2026 and includes a five-pin XLR connection with an optional dual-channel breakout.
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