6. If the studio has the microphone lines brought to a patch bay (tie lines), never crosspatch a
microphone line when phantom power is applied or the monitor volume is raised. This could
cause damage to your microphone, preamplifier or monitor speakers.
Operation
There are a few important facts that are key to understanding how to use ribbon microphones
intelligently.
1. With ribbon microphones, rejection in the “dead” areas is very strong. Due to this
directionality, ribbon mics should be placed at 1.3 times the distance normally used with
omni-directional microphones, or at approximately 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.
Several performers can be grouped at both the front and the back of the microphone, with
one proviso: Since the outputs are out of phase at the front and back 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 could cause your SF-24 to become inoperative.
Since the active electronics offer electrical isolation to each ribbon, miswired cables should
not cause damage to the ribbons themselves.
4. Never attempt to “test” the SF-24 (or any ribbon microphone) with an ohmmeter. Damage to
the delicate electronics could occur.
Always provide adequate protection for your SF-24 (or any ribbon microphone). If the
microphone is to remain set up on a stand when not in use, place a “mic sock” (provided)
over it until it is to be used. As even light wind can stretch the SF-24‘s ribbon elements, do
not carry the microphone around without placing a mic sock over it. Failure to follow this
commonsense practice may yield a stretched ribbon and compromised performance!
5. Avoid dropping the microphone. An accidental fall to a hard surface could stretch one or both
ribbons and, depending on the nature of the fall, possibly require a complete overhaul of the
microphone.
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