When I was yet in high school, I was always the chaperon of my cousin whom a band member.
Every time they're going to have a gig or recording, I was there.
But in every gig and recording, I always noticed that the microphones being used are so different from the mics I've seen in our house and those displayed in some stores.
At those times I don't have any idea that those mics are the so-called ribbon microphone.
I didn't bother to ask my cousin for I was afraid that he'd laugh at me.
Since I'm not a singer and a band member, I didn't bother to research or ask someone else.
But when curiosity knocks, you'd really do everything just to get the question some answers.
So what I did was research about microphones and here's what I found out.
We all know what a microphone is but here's the catch, there are two types of microphones - the condenser and dynamic.
But still my question wasn't answered so I dug dipper and guess what? Lot of answers is waiting for me to scan through.
As I mentioned earlier, the mics being used are ribbon microphone which belongs to the dynamic mic, and for the music instruments it could be either a mixture or combination of the condenser and dynamic microphones.
Way back 1920's was the year where ribbon microphone was invented.
Then here's more:

1. The very first ribbon microphone is the 77A (very rare) and was introduced to the public at the year 1932.
   It is a colossal microphone that replicates a canon shell.
   
2. 44-Family was the next in line to the 77A.
   Why 44-Family? For it is composed of 44A, 44B and 44BX.
   It's like the 44A is the mother and then 44B is the father and the offspring is the 44BX.
   
3. Then 44-Family was replaced by 77B which in the long run had 77C, 77D and DX as its descendants.
   The descendants became the basis for the standard mics known all over the world.
   
4. Just like everything else, nothing lasts forever.
   77B was replaced by BK-11 which was designed especially for the use of FM, AM and TV studios.
   
5. Then the very last of the ribbon microphone dynasty was the KU-3A.
   This ribbon mic is still being used by certain recording stations nowadays but is very expensive.
   

Well I really learned a lot, have you? I guess every single question would lead to tons of answers.
Just like the ribbon microphone itself; from a single creation, it then leads to a number of descendants.