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Congratulations on your purchase of a Royer Labs model SF-1 ribbon microphone. The
SF-1 is a handcrafted precision instrument  capable of delivering  superior sound quality
and overall high performance.

This operator’s manual  describes  the SF-1, its function and  method of use. It  also
describes the  care and maintenance required to ensure proper operation  and  long  service
life. The users guide section of this manual offers practical information that is designed to
maximize the performance capabilities of this microphone.

Royer Labs products are manufactured to the highest industrial standards using only the
finest materials obtainable. Your model SF-1 went though extensive quality control checks
before  leaving  the factory. Normal  care,  given to any quality instrument, is all  that is
required to assure years of trouble-free service.

Please read the  manual  thoroughly in order to become familiar with  all of the SF-1’s
capabilities. It will assist you in making the most of its superior acoustic properties.  This
owner’s  manual is a handy reference guide  and we suggest you  refer to it whenever
questions arise on the use and care of your SF-1 ribbon microphone.

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The Royer Labs model SF-1 is an ultra compact bi-directional 

(figure-eight) 

velocity  type

ribbon microphone designed  for professional applications. The figure-eight  pick-up
pattern  allows the SF-1 to be addressed from either side with  equal  sensitivity. The 

in-

phase

 signal is achieved when the microphone is addressed from the  front,  indicated by

the “ROYER” logo.

The  SF-1 is very tolerant to shock and vibration, and is unaffected by changes in
temperature or humidity. However, ribbon microphones are sensitive to  direct blasts of
air and the  SF-1 is no exception to this  rule. Discretionary use of a windscreen or pop-
filter, such as the WS58, PS-100 or equivalent is highly recommended for situations such
as  close  miking,  especially with vocalists or certain  types of percussion  and wind
instruments.

It is important to note that Royer ribbon microphones are known to be tough and durable.
While all Royer’s  are  built to last a lifetime,  the thicker ribbon element in our R-121
ribbon mic can take more abuse than the finer, somewhat  more delicate ribbon element in
your SF-1.   The SF-1 can handle over 130 dB SPL, while the R-121 can handle over 135
dB SPL.  Please be aware of this as you use your  SF-1.  Handled with care, it will be
many years before you need to re-ribbon your microphone (ribbons can last indefinitely if
not abused.)

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The Royer Labs  model  SF-1 is a versatile microphone and is ideally suited  for many
critical recording applications. Its smooth frequency response  characteristics and  ability

Summary of Contents for SF-1

Page 1: ...R R R RO O O OY Y Y YE E E ER R R R L L L La a a ab b b bs s s s Model SF Ribbon Velocity Microphone Operation Instructions Manual Users Guide Made in U S A ...

Page 2: ...scription page 2 Applications page 2 Users Guide Using the SF 1 page 3 Amplification Considerations page 4 The Sweet Spot page 7 Finding Working with the Sweet Spot Other Types of Microphones page 8 Proximity Effect Working Distance page 8 Microphone Technique page 9 Stereophonic Microphone Technique page 10 Care Maintenance page 13 A Little Bit of History page 13 Features Specifications page 14 E...

Page 3: ...is an ultra compact bi directional figure eight velocity type ribbon microphone designed for professional applications The figure eight pick up pattern allows the SF 1 to be addressed from either side with equal sensitivity The in phase signal is achieved when the microphone is addressed from the front indicated by the ROYER logo The SF 1 is very tolerant to shock and vibration and is unaffected b...

Page 4: ...n the dead areas is very strong Due to this directionality ribbon microphones should be placed at 1 3 times the distance normally used with omni directional microphones or about the same distance used for cardioid microphones This method is used to achieve the same ratio of direct to reflected sound 2 In the horizontal plane ribbon microphones do not discriminate against the highs off axis nor do ...

Page 5: ...d moving coil dynamics A ribbon microphone is actually a dynamic microphone that uses a flat extremely low mass ribbon element rather than a coil diaphragm assembly For this writing any mention of dynamic microphones will relate to moving coil dynamics All condenser microphones have a built in preamplifier called a head amp and therefore put out a hefty signal Because the signal is buffered throug...

Page 6: ...e they are by nature warm and realistic sounding At this point personal taste should prevail over anything Stereo Microphones Ground Loops Some preamplifiers are prone to developing ground loops when used in conjunction with stereo or multi channeled microphones such as the SF 12 Ground loops can develop in the preamplifier with any stereo microphone regardless of the type i e condenser dynamic ri...

Page 7: ...o an unnatural unpleasant sound Because distortion and self noise are almost non existent in ribbon microphones high levels of EQ can be used without adding harshness or excessive noise Hum Noise Mic Orientation All dynamic microphones including ribbons utilize powerful magnets in their motor assemblies and matching transformers and are to some degree susceptible to picking up stray alternating ma...

Page 8: ...Sp p p po o o ot t t t Finding and Working with the Sweet Spot Good engineers know the importance and benefits of finding and working with the sweet spot of a given microphone The sweet spot will be defined as the optimum placement working distance and angular position of any microphone relative to the sound source Each microphone has its own sweet spot whether it is a ribbon dynamic or condenser ...

Page 9: ... c c ct t t t a a a an n n nd d d d W W W Wo o o or r r rk k k ki i i in n n ng g g g D D D Di i i is s s st t t ta a a an n n nc c c ce e e e The Sound That Is More Real than Real Ribbon microphones have long been renowned for rich bass This effect is largely due to the fact that ribbon microphones generally have excellent bass response to begin with and at the same time exhibit an effect known a...

Page 10: ...roximity effect the engineer can get several useful effects without resorting to electronic manipulation M M M Mi i i ic c c cr r r ro o o op p p ph h h ho o o on n n ne e e e T T T Te e e ec c c ch h h hn n n ni i i iq q q qu u u ue e e e General Tips for Using Ribbon Microphones B B B Br r r ra a a as s s ss s s s I I I In n n ns s s st t t tr r r ru u u um m m me e e en n n nt t t ts s s s and ...

Page 11: ...c c ch h h he e e es s s st t t tr r r ra a a as s s s can be picked up very well with two microphones Place the microphones at a distance of ten feet from the floor and a few feet behind the conductor The microphones should be spaced apart approximately one foot and angled one toward the left and one toward the right D D D Dr r r ru u u um m m ms s s s a a a an n n nd d d d P P P Pe e e er r r rc...

Page 12: ...re 3 When the outputs of the pair of microphones are combined at the mixer they will behave like a pair of microphones one facing left and one right provided that the sensitivities of the mics are equal and the mixer channel gains are equal Turning down the side mic all the way will give a mono pickup as the side mic is turned up the stereo effect will gradually appear If the outputs of the mid an...

Page 13: ...12 Figure 2 Typical M S miking technique Figure 3 Typical M S connection set up ...

Page 14: ... nd d d d p p p pe e e er r r rs s s so o o on n n na a a al l l l c c c cr r r re e e ed d d di i i it t t t c c c ca a a ar r r rd d d ds s s s u u u us s s si i i in n n ng g g g m m m ma a a ag g g gn n n ne e e et t t ti i i ic c c c c c c co o o od d d di i i in n n ng g g g a a a aw w w wa a a ay y y y f f f fr r r ro o o om m m m t t t th h h he e e e m m m mi i i ic c c cr r r ro o o op p...

Page 15: ...in recent years now that technology has enabled further development of the state of the art in numerous areas A renewed interest in these designs both tube technology and ribbon microphones is driven by the unique characteristics these devices posses which remain unmatched even by some of today s marvels Today s ribbon microphones can be made smaller and have sensitivity levels matching those of m...

Page 16: ...e ec c c ch h h ha a a an n n ni i i ic c c ca a a al l l l S S S Sp p p pe e e ec c c ci i i if f f fi i i ic c c ca a a at t t ti i i io o o on n n ns s s s High grade Neodymium magnet assembly 1 25 x 0625 x 1 8 micron ribbon assembly Stainless steel internal baffle and dampener Weight 264 grams 9 3 oz Dimensions 142 mm x 25mm Finish Matte black chrome Accessories Protective wood case documentat...

Page 17: ...oyer Labs dealer must be on file with Royer Labs Should it ever become necessary to service your Royer Labs product please contact the factory In our continuing effort to improve our products Royer Labs reserves the right to make improvements without notice or obligation Specifications and prices are subject to change without notice or obligation S S S Se e e er r r ri i i ia a a al l l l N N N Nu...

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