Vintage Style Active Ribbon Microphone
INTRODUCTION
Congratulations on choosing the Golden Age Project R1 Active microphone!
The R1 Active is a unique microphone since it is one of the very few high quality vintage style ribbon microphone with active electronics on the market and especially since it probably is the first low cost one!
The R1 Active offers the unique and natural sound that has been available in classical microphones like the RCA44 and 77 that are still used to make high quality recordings today after almost 70 years. On top of that, the active circuitry raises the output level considerably to be similar to that of many condenser microphones. This has the good effect that one does not need special high gain microphone preamps when using the R1 Active on quiet sound sources. It also makes the R1 Active able to drive long microphone cables without any problems and insures that the sound is consist- ent with different preamps.
One of the factors that usually changes the sound of passive ribbon microphones is the input impedance of the following microphone preamp. The active output circuitry in the R1 Active buffers the ribbon and the gain make-up transformer from the outside world and the result is that the R1 Active will consistently give you maximum performance in any situation.
The R1 Active is very well suited for the recording of most sound sources like vocals, acoustic instruments, strings, horns, orchestras and choral groups and many live sound applications.
In spite of its low cost, the R1 Active meets the most stringent demands.
To get maximum benefit and trouble free use out of the R1 Active, please read this manual carefully.
UNPACKING, INSPECTION STORAGE AND TRANSPORT
The R1 Active was carefully tested and packed at the factory. The aluminium case has been designed to protect the microphone when you store, ship or move it. Please always use it when you need to transport the R1 Active for service or for any other reason.
IMPORTANT NOTICE:
The ribbon assembly in the R1 Active, as in any ribbon microphones, is very sensitive and fragile and can be easily damaged if handled the wrong way,
That is why it is important that you immediately after you have received the R1 Active, verifies that it is working properly and that it has not been damaged during shipping.
The warranty of the ribbon assembly in the R1 Active does not extend beyond this initial inspection, since it can be damaged so easily if it isn´t handled properly.
In the rare case that the R1 Active is not working properly when receiving it, please contact your dealer.
FEATURES
- The unmatched natural and musical sound of a classical ribbon microphone combined with the consistent sound quality offered by the addition of active elec- tronics.
-AFET / Bipolar discrete low-noise current amplifier,
powered by standard 48V phantom power, that isolates the ribbon and gain make-up transformer from the outside world.
- A stunning realism with the feeling of “being-there”.
- The typical large and mellow ribbon sound quality with a very smooth top end and an extended low end.
- A fast and life-like transient reproduction.
- An ultra-high SPL capability, 160 dB SPL (1% THD @ 1000Hz) and a very high sensitivity for a ribbon microphone, similar to many condenser microphones.
-AFigure-8 directional pattern for wide sweet spots both in the front and in the back of the microphone. Zero spots towards the sides.
- A 50mm long ribbon made of 2 microns thick aluminium foil.
- An internal shock mount for the ribbon and magnet assembly.
- A removable microphone cable and a nice aluminium flight case.
-Manufactured of the finest materials for a great performance and long-term reliability.
-The R1 Active can be used with any standard mixer or preamp with a balanced input that can supply 48V phantom power.
USE OF THE R1 ACTIVE
The R1 Active needs standard 48V phantom power to operate.
The Figure-8 pattern of the R1
Active gives you the ability to separate sound sources by placing the unwanted ones in the side zero pick-up directions.
Placing the unwanted ones towards the sides of the R1 Active will remove most of the direct sound from the sound source. The R1 Active will still pick up that source from the reverberant field in the recording room though.
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