Golden Age Project R2 User manual
R 2
Classic Ribbon Microphone
INTRODUCTION
Congratulations on choosing the Golden Age Project R 2 microphone!
The R2 is a high quality vintage style ribbon microphone with some modern developments. It
oers the unique and natural sound that has been available in classical microphones that are
still used to make high quality recordings today aer almost 70 years.
The R2 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 R2 meets the stringest demands.
For maximum benet and trouble free use of the R2, please read this manual carefully.
UNPACKING, INSPECTION STORAGE AND
TRANSPORT
The R2 was carefully tested and packed at the factory. The wooden box has been designed to protect
the mic when you ship or move it. Please retain the
shipping box in case you will need to transport the
R2 for service or for any other reason.
IMPORTANT NOTICE:
The ribbon assembly in the R2, as with all 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 immidiately
aer you have received the R2, veries that it is
working properly and that it has not been damaged
during shipping.
The warranty of the ribbon assembly in the R2 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 R2 is not working properly
when receiving it, please contact your dealer.
FEATURES
- The unmatched natural and musical sound of a
classical ribbon microphone.
- A stunning realism with the feeling of “beingthere”.
- 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.
- A high SPL capability, 137dB SPL (1% THD @ 1000
Hz) and a good sensitivity for a ribbon mic of this
type.
- A Figure-8 directional paern for wide sweet spots
both in the front and in the back of the microphone.
Zero spots towards the sides. This 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
R2 will remove most of the direct sound from the
sound source. The R2 will still pick up that source
from the reverberant eld in the recording room
though.
- A 42mm long ribbon made of 2,5 microns thick
aluminium foil.
Due to the small width of the ribbon, the horisontal
pick-up paern is very wide. It is much wider compared to a large capsule condenser microphone.
The vertical pick-up paern is narrow at the higher
frequencies though due to the lenght of the ribbon.
This is due to the fact the the wavelenght at higher
frequecies is much shorter than the ribbon lenght.
If you want a maximum top end response from the
R2, it is important that the R2 is mounted so that it
is paralell 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 eect can be used creatively.
The narrow vertical pick-up pat-
tern will lower the eect of high
frequency sound reections.
- An internal shock mount for
the ribbon and magnet assembly.
- Manufactured of the nest
materials for a great performance
and long-term reliability.
- The R2 can be used with any standard mixer or preamp, preferably with a
balanced input.
Since the sensitivity of ribbon mics in
general is quite low compared to condenser microphones,
you will need a preamp with some extra
gain available when you record quiet
sound sources.
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Be aware of the proximity eect (an increase in bass
response) when the R2 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 mic to the sound source for an
optimum result in dierent situations.
You can also use a high-pass lter in your preamp
or mixer.
PRECAUTIONS
-The active part in the R2 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
suspeneded 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 therefor very important that the R2, as any other
ribbon mic, is treated with very special care if it is
not to be seriously damaged.
In order to ensure a long life for your R2, please
always follow these guidlines:
1. Do never subject the R2 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 R2 and protect it from any
strong blast of air movement as this can tear and
destroy the fragile ribbon.
Do never move around fast with the R2 in your
hand, please remember that any excessive air movement can damage the ribbon.
3. Do always use a pop-lter when there is a risk of
excessive air movements reaching the ribbon from
the sound source.
One exemple is close-up vocals. The pop-lter will
also protect the R1 from mouth spray. Do always
protect the R2 from dirt and moisture.
4. Do never apply phantom power to the R2 since it
can burn the ribbon. Be very careful that phantom
power is switched o before plugging the R2 into a
mixer or preamp and see to it that no one turns the
phantom power on by mistake.
5. When the R2 is not in use, always keep it in its case.
6. Do always store the R2 in a vertical position. If it
is stored horisontally, the 42 mm long ribbon can sag
by time which will gradually degrade the performance of the R2.
7. Avoid exposing the R2 to direct sunlight or
extremes in humidity for extended periods of time.
8. Do never try to service the R 2 yourself since this
will void the warranty.
WARRANTY
- Due to the extremely delicate nature of ribbon
mics which can so easily be damaged by improper
handling and use, the ribbon assembly is not covered under warranty.
Please check your R2 carefully immidiately when
you receive it and make sure that there are no problems with the mic.
Aer that rst initial inspection, the standard warranty only apply to defects in materials and workmanship 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.
service@goldenagemusic.se
SPECIFICATIONS
Type: Large ribbon geometry, pure aluminium,
2,5um thick, 42 x 5mm size.
Polar paern: Figure 8
Frequency response: 30Hz - 18kHz +/- 3dB
Sensitivity: -50dB (0dB=1V/Pa) @1kHz.
Maximum SPL (<1% THD @1kHz): 137 dB.
Output impedance: 250 ohm.
Recommended load impedance:
> 1,2 kOhm.
Dimensions: 76x166 mm.
Weight: 350 g.
Please note:
Specications can be changed
at any time without notice.
Many thanks for purchasing
the Golden Age Project R 2
- We wish you much joy and many
wonderful recordings with it!
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