Golden Age Project R 1 TUBE ACTIVE User manual

Vintage Style Tube Active Ribbon Microphone

INTRODUCTION

Congratulations on choosing the Golden Age Project R1 Tube Active microphone!

The R1 Tube Active is a unique microphone since it is one of the very few high quality vintage style
ribbon microphone with active tube electronics on the market and especially since it probably is the

rst low cost one!

The R1 Tube Active oers the unique and natural sound that has been available in classical micro­phones like the RCA 44 and 77 that are still used to make high quality recordings today aer
almost 70 years. On top of that, the active tube circuitry gives you that special tube intimacy,
warmth and sparkle. It also raises the output level considerably to be similar to that of many con­denser microphones. This has the good eect that one does not need special high gain microphone
preamps when using the R1 Tube Active on quiet sound sources.

It also makes the R1 Tube Active able to drive long
microphone cables without any problems and insures

that the sound is consistent with dierent preamps. One

of the factors that usually changes the sound of passive
ribbon microphones is the input impedance of the fol-

lowing microphone preamp. The active output circuitry
in the R1 Tube Active buers the ribbon and the gain

make-up transformer from the outside world and the
result is that the R1 Tube Active will consistently give

you maximum performance in any situation.

The R1 Tube 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 Tube Active meets the

most stringent demands.

To get maximum benet and trouble free use out of the
R1 Tube Active, please read this manual carefully.

UNPACKING, INSPECTION STORAGE AND
TRANSPORT

The R1 Tube 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

Tube Active for service or for any other reason.

IMPORTANT NOTICE:

The ribbon assembly in the R1 Tube 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 aer
you have received the R1 Tube Active, veries that it

is working properly and that it has not been damaged

during shipping.

The warranty of the ribbon assembly in the R1 Tube
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 prop-

erly 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 oered by the addition of active electronics.

- A low-noise 12AX7 tube amplier 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, 165 dB SPL (1% THD @
1000Hz) and a very high sensitivity for a ribbon micro-

phone, similar to many condenser microphones.

- A Figure-8 directional paern for wide sweet spots
both in the front and in the back of the microphone. Zero
spots towards the sides.

- A 50 mm long ribbon made of 2 microns thick alu-

minium foil.

- An internal shock mount for the ribbon and magnet

assembly.

- A removable microphone cable and a

nice aluminium ight case.

- Manufactured of the nest materials

for a great performance and long-term

reliability.

- The R1 Tube Active can be used with
any standard mixer or preamp, prefer-

ably with a balanced input.

USE OF THE R1 TUBE ACTIVE

Connect the supplied cable between the
R1 Tube Active and the power supply

with the power switch o. Then

connect a standard balanced XLR
microphone cable between the 3-pin
XLR connector on power supply to

the preamp or mixer. The R1 Tube

Active power supply needs 115

or 230V AC power. For optimum

performance, let the R1Tube Active
warm up for at least 15 minutes

before use.

The Figure-8 paern of the R1

Tube Active gives you the ability to
separate sound sources by placing
the unwanted ones in the side zero

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pick-up directions. Placing the unwanted ones towards

the sides of the R1 Tube Active will remove most of the

direct sound from the sound source. The R1 Tube Active
will still pick up that source from the reverberant eld
in the recording room though. Due to the small width of
the ribbon, the horizontal pick-up paern is very wide.

It is much wider compared to a large capsule condenser

microphone.

The vertical pick-up paern is narrow at the higher
frequencies though due to the length of the ribbon. This

is due to the fact the wavelength at higher frequencies

is much shorter than the length of the ribbon. If you

want maximum top end response from the R1 Active,
it is important that the R1 Active is mounted so that it

is parallel to the sound source. If it is vertically angled

against the sound source, then there will inevitably be

a loss of top end. This can sometimes be a good thing
so this eect can be used creatively. The narrow vertical
pick-up paern will lower the eect of high frequency
sound reections.

Be aware of the proximity eect (an increase in bass

response) when the R1 Tube Active is close to the sound

source. This can be a good or a bad thing. You can adjust

the bass response by changing the distance from the
microphone to the sound source for an optimum result

in dierent situations. You can also use a high-pass lter
in your preamp or mixer.

PRECAUTIONS

- Make sure that you select the proper voltage on the
voltage selector on the power supply before connecting
the unit to 115 or 230V AC power, otherwise the unit will

be damaged! This is not covered by the warranty.

-The transducer part of the R1 Tube Active consists of a
very thin and ultra-light corrugated aluminium ribbon
clamped under light tension and mounted between the

poles of a strong magnet. When the sound waves hits the

ribbon and moves it, a small current is generated in the

ribbon since it is suspended in a magnetic eld.

The good part of this design is that it results in one of
the warmest and most natural sound available from

any type of microphone. The bad part of it is that it also

make ribbon microphones the most sensitive and fragile

ones. It is therefore very important that the R1 Tube

Active, as any other ribbon microphone, is treated with

very special care if it is not to be seriously damaged.

In order to ensure a long life for your R1 Tube Active,
please always follow these guidelines:

1. Do never subject the R1 Tube Active to hard knocks,

such as dropping it or not packing it properly when you
move or transport it since this can destroy the ribbon

assembly.

2. Do never blow into the R1 Tube Active and protect it

from any strong blast of air movement as this can tear

and destroy the fragile ribbon.

3. Do never move around fast with the R1 Tube Active

in your hand, please remember that any excessive air

movement can damage the ribbon.

4. Do always use a pop-lter when there is a risk of

excessive air movements reaching the ribbon from the

sound source. One example is close-up vocals. The pop­lter will also protect the R1 Tube Active from mouth spray.

5. Do always protect the R1 Tube Active from dirt and
moisture.

6. Do never use phantom power with the Tube R1
Active.

7. When the R1 Tube Active is not in use, always keep it
in its aluminium case.

8. Do always store the R1 Tube Active in a vertical posi­tion. If it is stored horizontally, the 50 mm long ribbon

can sag by time which will gradually degrade the per-

formance of the R1 Active.

9. Avoid exposing the R1 Tube Active to direct sunlight
or extremes in humidity for extended periods of time.

10. Do never try to service the R1 Active yourself since
this will void the warranty.

WARRANTY

- Due to the extremely delicate nature of ribbon micro­phones which can so easily be damaged by improper
handling and use, the ribbon assembly is not covered

under warranty.

Please check your R1 Tube Active carefully immediately
when you receive it and make sure that there are no

problems with the microphone. Aer that rst initial

inspection, the standard one year warranty (90-days on
the tube) only apply to defects in materials and work-

manship in parts other than the ribbon assembly.

If the ribbon assembly is damaged during use, contact
your dealer or us for a quote for replacement of the

ribbon assembly.

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SPECIFICATIONS
Type: Large ribbon geometry, pure aluminium, 2 um

thick, 50 x 5 mm size with active electronics.

Polar paern: Figure 8

Frequency response: 30 Hz – 18 kHz +/- 3 dB

Sensitivity: -40 dB (0 dB = 1V/Pa) @ 1 kHz.

Equivalent Noise Level (A-weighted per

IEC 268-4): < 16 dB typical.

Maximum SPL (<1% THD @ 1 kHz): 165

dB.

Output impedance: 200 ohm, balanced.

Recommended load impedance: > 1000

Ohms.

Dimensions: 69x185 mm.

Weight: 1 500 g.

Please note: Specications can be
changed at any time without notice.

Many thanks for purchasing the
Golden Age Project R1 Tube Active

- We wish you much joy and many
wonderful recordings with it!

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