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TABLE OF CONTENTS

Model SF-24 Ribbon Microphone

Revised 2009

Introduction

3

Active Ribbon™ Technology

3

Description

4

Applications

5

Ribbons in the Digital World

5

User Guide

6

Using the SF-24 Active Ribbon Microphone™

6

Operation

7

Using the RSM-24 Shock Mount Accessory

8

Description

8

Features

8

Usage

8

Properly Inserting the Microphone into the Shock

8

Removing the Microphone from the Shock

9

Connecting the SF-24

9

Amplification Considerations

10

Stereo Microphones and Ground Loops

11

Equalization and Ribbon Microphones

11

Hum, Noise and Mic Orientation

12

Microphone Techniques

13

General Tips for Using the Royer SF-24

13

Specialized Stereo Recording Techniques

15

Classic Blumlein Technique

15

Mid-Side (M-S) Technique

16

Care and Maintenance

17

Care for the Optical Black Finish

18

Features

18

Specifications

19

Wiring Diagram

20

Polar Pattern

20

Frequency Response

20

Warranty

21

2

Summary of Contents for SF-24

Page 1: ...Royer Labs Model SF 24 Stereo Active Ribbon Velocity Microphone Operation Instructions Manual User Guide Made in U S A ...

Page 2: ...the Shock 8 Removing the Microphone from the Shock 9 Connecting the SF 24 9 Amplification Considerations 10 Stereo Microphones and Ground Loops 11 Equalization and Ribbon Microphones 11 Hum Noise and Mic Orientation 12 Microphone Techniques 13 General Tips for Using the Royer SF 24 13 Specialized Stereo Recording Techniques 15 Classic Blumlein Technique 15 Mid Side M S Technique 16 Care and Mainte...

Page 3: ...mance capabilities of this microphone Royer Labs products are manufactured to the highest industrial standards using only the finest materials obtainable Your model SF 24 went though extensive quality control checks before leaving the factory Normal care is all that is required to assure a lifetime of trouble free service Please read this manual thoroughly in order to become familiar with all of t...

Page 4: ...available combining high audio performance with outstanding separation and imaging It is a modern ribbon design with no audible diffraction effects or cavity resonance The SF 24 s active electronics produce an output comparable to phantom powered studio condenser microphones and because the ribbon elements are electronically isolated from the outside world the possibility of ribbons becoming damag...

Page 5: ...ic to super wide Although spaced microphones can produce similar stereophonic results such recordings when summed to mono can suffer from comb filter effects peaks and dips in the frequency response When the SF 24 is used for M S recording the feeling of space changes but the sonic quality does not For more detailed information on the M S technique see the chapter Recording Techniques Mid Side M S...

Page 6: ...wer transducer Pin 5 signal cold for the lower transducer If additional extension cables are used be sure they are in good serviceable order Standard microphone cables provide a shielded ground carried along to Pin 1 and a balanced differential signal carried along Pins 2 and 3 with Pin 2 signal hot and Pin 3 signal cold 2 Although it is usually safe to hot plug most phantom powered microphones to...

Page 7: ... of the microphone cancellation can result if two tenors are placed on opposite sides at equal distances and are singing in unison Therefore listen to the feed before committing to it 3 The Royer model SF 24 is a phantom powered microphone and must be connected to a preamplifier or console cable of delivering 48 volts at a minimum of 4 milliamperes per channel Faulty or improperly wired cables cou...

Page 8: ...ces forward and the M S slot is 45 to the left Usage It is important to use the RSM 24 shock mount correctly Making sure that the microphone is inserted properly into the shock mount will minimize any chance of the mic coming loose and will assure proper orientation of the transducer elements It is also important to make certain that the mic is inserted and removed gently to avoid unnecessary shoc...

Page 9: ... set consisting of a 25 foot 5 pin male female XLR microphone cable and a separate Y type splitter cable The splitter cable converts the stereo signals from the microphone cable to a pair of standard 3 Pin male XLR plugs that provide the RIGHT and LEFT signals to a stereo or two channel preamplifier With the microphone positioned upright logo facing sound source the UPPER element is RIGHT and the ...

Page 10: ...ide the noise Transformer coupled designs tend to sound punchy and fullbodied and offer the added benefit of true electronic isolation This greatly enhances their ability to interface with other equipment with minimal noise or hum There are many excellent preamplifiers on the market today Choose one that fits your budget and offers good performance but remember that you get what you pay for If you...

Page 11: ...le fix is to disconnect one of the microphone s two Pin 1 ground connections A better method is to make a small ground lift adapter fashioned from a male female XLR barrel adapter Switchcraft makes a very nice one and it takes less than five minutes to wire it up Simply connect Pin 2 to Pin 2 Pin 3 to Pin 3 and leave Pin 1 disconnected Correcting the problem at the preamplifier is preferable but i...

Page 12: ...ral ability to repel magnetic radiation Unwanted noise hum can only come from external sources Fortunately simply repositioning a ribbon microphone is the best way to get rid of unwanted noise If hum is detected the microphone is in the proximity of an alternating magnetic field While listening preferably with headphones to the mic move it around The mic will find the noise source quite easily For...

Page 13: ...s beautifully Simply find the point in the room where you hear the best blend of the instruments and room sound and place the microphone there with its logo facing the performers Strings For stereo recordings of stringed instruments start by positioning the microphone a few feet off the body of the instrument Depending on the acoustics of the room you may want to move the microphone closer to or f...

Page 14: ... multiple instruments try placing the microphone slightly above the instrumentalists and angled down at a distance of two to four feet Piano There are several positions that will give excellent results with the piano Start with a distance of one foot to several feet from the knee of the piano A more direct up front sound will be achieved when the microphone is placed closer to the soundboard If it...

Page 15: ...t and we recommend using our R 121 or R 122 ribbon microphones Specialized Stereo Recording Techniques Classic Blumlein Technique For many years coincident microphone setups have been widely used for picking up sounds in stereo as naturally as possible The Blumlein technique named for A D Blumlein involves the use of two figure eight microphones positioned as in the sketch see Figure 1 so that one...

Page 16: ...at the center of the performance the microphone will be rotated 45 counter clockwise and correctly positioned for M S recording With the SF 24 in a vertical position cable end down the upper ribbon element faces the center of the performance and is the mid microphone and the lower ribbon element is at 90 to the performance and is the side microphone If the microphone is to be mounted upside down m...

Page 17: ... strong air currents Use a windscreen or suitable blast filter when close miking a vocalist or certain types of wind instruments P popping does not necessarily damage the ribbon element but may produce unacceptable preamplifier overload and could cause damage to speaker systems 3 Do not expose the microphone to liquids or caustic smoke 4 Do not expose the microphone to strong alternating electroma...

Page 18: ...o wicking action the physical handling of the microphone absorbent materials it is exposed to like the foam padding of the microphone case etc As the oils are drawn out of the microscopic surface layer the microphone finish may develop an uneven appearance If this happens simply massage the microphone gently with a lint free cloth treated with a few drops of light machine oil or WD 40 apply the oi...

Page 19: ...t Impedance 300 Ohms 1kHz Recommended Load Impedance 1500 Ohms Maximum SPL 130 dB Output Connector Male XLR 5 pin Power Requirements 48 Volt Phantom per channel only Supply Current 4 mA per channel Dimensions 270mm X 39mm base X 25mm top 10 5 8 X 1 5 wide base X 1 wide top Weight 531 grams 18 7 ounces Finish Optical Black Chrome 18K Gold optional Accessories Protective carrying case protective mic...

Page 20: ...To learn more about Royer products and their usage visit our website at www royerlabs com Wiring Diagram Polar Pattern Frequency Response 20 ...

Page 21: ... date of original purchase and for the respective periods specified above Royer Labs agrees to repair at its sole expense all Royer Labs products which are defective in material and workmanship EXCLUSIONS This warranty does not cover the following 1 Defects or damage caused by accident fire flood lightning or other acts of nature 2 Defects or damage caused by abuse misuse negligence or failure to ...

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