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Description

The  SF-24V  vacuum  tube  stereo  coincident  ribbon  microphone  is  the  only  microphone  of  its 
kind 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-24V'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 damaged as a result  of faulty wiring,  brownouts or phantom 
power supply defects is virtually eliminated.

The  SF-24V  is  a  compact,  stereophonic  ribbon  microphone  array  consisting  of  two  matched 
microphone elements that are placed one above the other. Each transducer is positioned at 45º to 
the left and right of center, or 90º from each other. When held vertically,  connector down and the 
“ROYER”  logo  facing  the  sound  source,  the  upper  transducer  is  OUTPUT  1  and  the  lower 
transducer is OUTPUT 2,  from the  perspective of an observer  behind the  mic.

 

The  microphone 

elements  are  each  bidirectional  (figure-8)  and  may  be  addressed  from  either  side  with  equal 
sensitivity. The  in-phase signals are  achieved when the microphone  is addressed from  the front, 
as indicated by the  “ROYER”  logo. If,  however,  the microphone is suspended upside down,  the 
connections to  the  preamplifier  should  be  reversed  since  what  was  the  left  transducer  is  now 
responding to signals from the right and vice versa.

Your  SF-24V  is supplied  with a dedicated  power  supply  and 7-pin  microphone  interface  cable. 
The output for each channel consists of a chassis mounted 3-pin male XLR connector. These are 
identified  as OUTPUT  1 and  OUTPUT  2,  and  correspond  to the  lower  and  upper  transducers, 
respectively. 

The  SF-24V  is reasonably  tolerant  of  shock  and vibration,  but  care  should  be  taken  to prevent 
accidental stretching of the ribbon elements due to rough handling. This is covered in the Care & 
Maintenance  section  of  this  manual.  The  performance  of  the  microphone  is  unaffected  by 
changes in temperature or humidity.

Applications

The SF-24V is a highly versatile microphone,  ideally suited for a wide range of critical recording 
applications. From  drums,  acoustic  stringed instruments and stereo vocals to  ensembles like big 
band,  orchestra  and jazz  groups,  your SF-24V  will  capture performances with uncanny realism 
and a beautifully full stereo image.

Because of the SF-24V’s coincident crossed figure-8 pattern, M-S (mid-side) recording from one 
microphone  is  easily  achievable.  Once  a  recording  has  been  completed  using  the  proper 
orientation,  the  sound  field  can  be  adjusted  from  pure  monophonic  to  “super  wide"  or 
exaggerated when compared to crossed figure-8's.

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Summary of Contents for SF-24V

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

Page 2: ... 8 Connecting the SF 24 8 Power Supply Input Module 9 Fuse Replacement 9 Voltage Changeover 9 Amplification Considerations 10 Stereo Microphones and Ground Loops 11 Equalization and Ribbon Microphones 12 Hum Noise and Mic Orientation 12 Microphone Techniques 13 General Tips for Using the Royer SF 24V 13 Specialized Stereo Recording Techniques 16 Classic Blumlein Technique 16 Mid Side M S Technique...

Page 3: ... this microphone Royer Labs products are manufactured to the highest industrial standards using only the finest materials obtainable Your model SF 24V 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 the SF 24V s capabili...

Page 4: ...d by the ROYER logo If however the microphone is suspended upside down the connections to the preamplifier should be reversed since what was the left transducer is now responding to signals from the right and vice versa Your SF 24V is supplied with a dedicated power supply and 7 pin microphone interface cable The output for each channel consists of a chassis mounted 3 pin male XLR connector These ...

Page 5: ...ffering circuits Power for the tubes is supplied to the microphone from a dedicated AC line operated power supply that connects to the microphone through a 7 pin microphone cable The power supply provides a high voltage source and independent low voltage sources for the vacuum tube s filaments An electronic constant current source automatically compensates for any change in the microphone s cable ...

Page 6: ...roximately 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 they boost them on axis Therefore several instruments or vocalists can be placed in front of the microphone without favoring the performer in the center of the group S...

Page 7: ... with minimal pressure There is also a relief button that enables the clutch handle to be repositioned out of the way The shock mount has two orientation slots for easy X Y and M S positioning The X Y slot faces forward and the M S slot is 45º 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 min...

Page 8: ...ements are sensitive to abrupt shocks and blasts of air so be gentle Note If after a time body oils or other contaminants make it difficult to insert or remove the microphone from the shock mount a small amount of talc can be used to lubricate the microphone housing Use talc very sparingly and do not let any of it get into the ribbon transducers as it can compromise the ribbons performance Connect...

Page 9: ...tly pry the door open Image 3 Be careful not to damage the painted surface of the chassis housing The fuses are located inside two carriers each marked with an arrow pointing to the right These carriers can be pulled out with the tip of a screwdriver blade or a pair of needle nose pliers Image 4 Once the carriers are removed the fuses can be pulled out with your fingers Replacing the fuse carriers...

Page 10: ...utput allows for long cable runs with minimal affect on the microphone s performance High frequency response losses and noise pickup will be minimal even with cable runs up to several hundred feet in length NOTE There are no user serviceable parts in the power supply or microphone Leave all servicing of your SF 24V to a qualified technician authorized to service this product Amplification Consider...

Page 11: ...ics would reach an overload condition Due to the high output potential of the SF 24V it is recommended that the microphone preamplifier you pair it with have a switchable pad to prevent the possibility of overloading the preamplifier s input stage electronics Some preamplifiers are more thoughtfully designed than others with a suitable pad that is placed before the preamp s active electronics not ...

Page 12: ...ibility The reason that ribbon mics take EQ so well is their inherent low self noise unusually smooth frequency response characteristics and freedom from off axis coloration Dialing in high amounts of equalization on condenser or dynamic microphones also means dialing in extra amounts of the microphone s distortion products and self noise garbage that contributes to an unnatural unpleasant sound B...

Page 13: ...ponding lower level and hence less likely to be objectionable Microphone Techniques General Tips for Using the Royer SF 24V The following are good basic starting places for recording with the SF 24V These positions are known to produce good results but experimentation is the key to getting the most out of your recordings Photographs of many of the following techniques can be found on our website w...

Page 14: ...um tracks where cymbals need to sizzle you can brighten them by adding a few dB of 10K to 12K Brass Brass records beautifully with ribbon microphones For an overall picture of a brass section within a larger recording session try placing the microphone at a distance of three to eight feet from the section two to three feet above the instrumentalists and angled downward For a solo brass section pos...

Page 15: ...ou are there realism The rear lobes of the figure 8 elements bring the ambient qualities of the recording environment into the recording adding to the natural feel of the recorded performance Percussion The SF 24V records percussion instruments naturally without upper frequency hype or low end boominess Congas bongos and the like can be recorded with left right stereo effect by positioning the mic...

Page 16: ... can be summed to mono with no comb filter effects and room reverberation undesirable in mono is cancelled to a surprising degree For the sake of clarity engineers commonly refer to similar stereo miking with cardioid mics as X Y When figure 8 s are used it is more commonly referred to as Blumlein recording Mid Side M S Technique In the early days of stereo radio broadcasting the Mid Side recordin...

Page 17: ...ement turned all the way down you have just the mid element panned center and giving a mono pickup If the outputs of the mid and side elements are recorded on separate tracks the electrical connections shown in Figure 3 can be made at the mixer outputs and the adjustment of the stereo separation can be done during mixdown rather than during the actual recording Space does not permit a fuller discu...

Page 18: ...A small amount of denatured alcohol can be used to remove fingerprints and other stains Use WD 40 or mineral oil to protect the finish 6 Keep metal filings away from the microphone at all times The SF 24V s powerful magnets can attract minute ferrous particles into the ribbon transducers compromising the performance 7 When not in use store the microphone in its protective carrying case If the micr...

Page 19: ... sparingly and apply with a soft cloth Paste wax may also be used for a high luster finish CAUTION Due to the transducer s powerful magnets keep recorded tapes spring wound watches and personal credit cards with magnetic coding away from the microphone to prevent possible damage Features Excellent stereo imaging and separation in one microphone Smooth wide frequency response Vacuum Tube electronic...

Page 20: ...ure with wire leads Output Connectors Two 3 Pin Male XLR connectors Power Requirements 110 120 220 240 volts AC 50 60HZ see manual Mic Dimensions 270mm X 39mm base X 25mm top 10 5 8 X 1 5 wide base X 1 wide top Microphone Weight 572 grams 20 2 ounces Shipping Weight 21 LBS Finish Dull Satin Nickel Optional finishes Optical Black Chrome and 18K Gold Accessories Camera style carrying case dedicated ...

Page 21: ...Polar Pattern Frequency Response 21 ...

Page 22: ...Wiring Diagram 22 ...

Page 23: ... 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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