Native cerebellar microsomes are used to study the properties of native cerebellar inositol(1,4,5)-trisphosphate receptor 1 (InsP3R1) and ryanodine receptor 1 (RyanR1) Ca2+ release channels. Additionally, microsomes prepared from Sf9 cells infected with InsP3R- or RyanR-expressing recombinant baculoviruses can be used to compare properties of different InsP3R and RyanR isoforms and to perform structure–function studies of both types of receptors. This protocol describes how to prepare ER microsomes from native cerebellar tissue or Sf9 cells infected with InsP3R- or RyanR-expressing recombinant baculoviruses for planar lipid bilayer (also called black lipid membranes or BLM) experiments. Prepared material is aliquoted and can be stored at −80°C freezer for many months before BLM experiments.