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must and we recommend using our R-121, R-122, or R-122V

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); one

mic faces left and the other

faces right, at an angle of

90º (i.e., each displaced 45º

from center).

Each microphone ultimately

feeds one speaker in a stereo

system and, due to the

directionality of the

microphones, the result is a

very well defined stereo

image on playback. For

classical music particularly,

the reproduction can be very

satisfying.

The SF-12 stereo microphone is two identical ribbon microphones

in just this Blumlein orientation: if the microphone is

placed in front of the performance, with the Royer logo facing

the center of the ensemble to be recorded, the microphone will

give a stereo recording as per the Blumlein technique. Because

of the togetherness of the SF-12’s ribbon transducers, sound

will arrive at both ribbon elements at the same time. This means

that the two channels 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.

Figure 1

12

Содержание SF-12

Страница 1: ...ROYER Labs Model SF 12 Stereo Ribbon Velocity Microphone Operation Instructions Manual User Guide Made in U S A ...

Страница 2: ...ops page 6 Equalization and Ribbon Microphones page 7 Hum Noise and Mic Orientation page 7 Microphone Technique page 9 Specialized Stereo Recording Techniques Classic Blumlein Recording page 12 Mid Side M S Recording page 13 Care and Maintenance page 14 Features page 16 Specifications page 16 Wiring Diagram page 18 Frequency Response and Polar Pattern page 18 Notes page 19 Warranty page 20 ...

Страница 3: ...es 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 12 ribbon microphone Description The SF 12 is a compact stereophonic ribbon microphone array consisting of two matched microphone elements that are placed one above the other Each transduce...

Страница 4: ...ess bi directional microphone and the rejection in 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 no...

Страница 5: ...y the choice of microphone preamplifier it is paired with With so many mic preamps on the market how do you select one that gives the best possible performance with a ribbon microphone Additionally what kind of performance can we expect from the preamplifiers built into our mixing desks While most preamplifiers will handle ribbon microphones well in most recording situations some preamps that work...

Страница 6: ...ole are highly praised for their classic sound So what should we use with our beloved ribbon microphones The features that translate into top performance for a ribbon microphone are the following 1 Lots of gain A ribbon microphone works best with preamplifiers that have at least 60 70 dB of maximum gain 2 Low noise is a must With this much gain being required for efficient operation of a ribbon mi...

Страница 7: ...he cable set If the grounding scheme within the preamplifier is poorly designed or the distances to internal ground are too great a ground loop develops The problem may be more apparent with ribbon microphones because of the high gain required for proper operation You can perform a simple test to check for this condition preferably done with a pair of headphones to avoid feedback Plug one side of ...

Страница 8: ...tributes to 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 and Mic Orientation All dynamic microphones including ribbons are susceptible to picking up stray alternating magnetic fields Power transformers such as those found in guitar amplifiers and alte...

Страница 9: ...erably with headphones to the mic move it around The mic will find the noise source quite easily If you are miking a guitar amplifier and suspect the amplifier s power transformer may be the source of unwanted noise move the mic around the amp You will probably find that the noise is louder as you approach the amplifier s power supply and quieter when you move it away Eliminating the noise can be ...

Страница 10: ...bbon end of the microphone Leaving the microphone out unprotected is inviting a re ribbon Ensemble Performances The SF 12 records ensemble performances 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 position...

Страница 11: ...f 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 two to three feet above the instrumentalists and angled down at a distance of three to eight feet from the section For a solo trumpet position the SF 12 vertically at a height of four to eight feet and anywhere from five to 20 o...

Страница 12: ...ments bring the ambient qualities of the recording environment into the recording adding to the natural feel of the recorded performance Percussion The SF 12 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 within a few feet of the instruments Shakers bells tria...

Страница 13: ...e on playback For classical music particularly the reproduction can be very satisfying The SF 12 stereo microphone is two identical ribbon microphones in just this Blumlein orientation if the microphone is placed in front of the performance with the Royer logo facing the center of the ensemble to be recorded the microphone will give a stereo recording as per the Blumlein technique Because of the t...

Страница 14: ...formance and is the side microphone If the microphone is to be mounted upside down make the proper adjustments in your wiring orientation If the outputs of the mid and side elements are made equal using gain controls the stereo pickup will be similar to that of two microphones placed as a Blumlein X Y pair delivering a wide stereo image As you reduce the level of the side element the width of the ...

Страница 15: ...lly dropped test it to see if damage has occurred before returning it to service Low output or a dull sound would indicate a stretched ribbon 2 Do not expose the microphone to direct blasts of air or 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...

Страница 16: ...s optical black finish is a sophisticated surface treatment designed to refract light rather than reflect it This makes the microphone appear less conspicuous especially when used with high intensity lighting or within a camera shot The finish requires occasional maintenance to retain a smooth even appearance and to maintain its unique optical qualities The SF12 s body is comprised of a low carbon...

Страница 17: ... the microphone to prevent possible damage Features and Specifications SF 12 Features Wide Smooth Frequency Range Closely Matched Characteristics Negligible Off Axis Coloration Excellent Separation and Imaging True Figure 8 Polar Patterns X Y or M S Recording SF 12 Specifications Acoustic Operating Principle Electrodynamic pressure gradient Polar Pattern Symmetrical Figure 8 Generating Element Two...

Страница 18: ...ed 5 conductor cable with 5 pin connectors adaptor cable terminating in two 2 XLR type 3 pin male connectors mic clip mic sock Optional Accessories Shock mount WS 12 blast filter Microphone Warranty Lifetime to original owner repair or replace at Royer s option Ribbon Element Warranty One Year For up to the minute information on Royer products and their usage visit our website at www royerlabs com...

Страница 19: ...Wiring Diagram Polar Pattern Upper Element Lower Element Frequency Response 20 50 100 500 1000 5K 10K 20K 0 5 10 5 10 15K 18 ...

Страница 20: ...Notes 19 ...

Страница 21: ...se or as a result of repair or modification by other than a Royer Labs customer service facility authorized to service this product Should it ever become necessary to service your SF 12 please contact the factory for a return authorization number and packaging instructions In our continuing effort to improve our products Royer Labs reserves the right to make improvements without notice or obligati...

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