Royer Labs SF-2 User Manual

Royer Labs

Model SF-2

Active Ribbon® Velocity Microphone

Operation Instructions Manual
& User Guide

Made in U.S.A.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Model SF-2 Ribbon Microphone

Introduction! 3

Active Ribbon® Technology! 3

Description! 4

Ribbons in the Digital World! 4

User’s Guide! 4

Using the SF-2 Active Ribbon® Microphone! 4

Operation! 5

Using the RSM-24 Shock Mount Accessory! 6

Description! 6

Amplification Considerations! 6

Equalization and Ribbon Microphones! 7

Hum, Noise & Mic Orientation! 8

The Sweet Spot! 9

Finding and Working with the Sweet Spot! 9

Other Types of Microphones! 9

Proximity Effect and Working Distance! 10

The Sound That is “More Real than Real”! 10

Microphone Technique! 11

General Tips for Using Ribbon Microphones! 11

Recording Loud or Plosive Sounds! 12

Stereophonic Microphone Technique! 13

Classic Blumlein Technique! 13

Mid-Side Technique! 13

Care and Maintenance! 15

Care for the Optical Black Finish! 15

Features and Specifications! 16

SF-2 Features:! 16

SF-2 Specifications:! 16

Polar Pattern! 18

Frequency Response! 18

Warranty! 19

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Introduction

Congratulations on your purchase of a Royer Labs model SF-2 active ribbon® microphone. The
SF-2 is a handcrafted, precision instrument capable of delivering superior sound quality and
exceptional performance. Combining sophisticated technological advancements with old-world
craftsmanship, the SF-2 incorporates a proprietary head amplification system which delivers
sensitivity comparable to that of modern condenser microphones. In addition, the electronic
circuitry isolates the ribbon element from impedance mismatches, phantom power, and other
conditions that can degrade microphone performance or damage the SF-2’s sensitive ribbon
element.

This operator’s manual describes the SF-2, its function and method of use. It also describes the
care and maintenance required to ensure proper operation and long service life. The users guide
section of this manual offers practical information that is designed to maximize the performance
capabilities of this microphone.

Royer Labs products are manufactured to the highest industrial standards using only the finest
materials obtainable. Your SF-2 went though extensive quality control checks before leaving the
factory. Normal care is all that is required to assure years of trouble-free service.

Please read this manual thoroughly in order to become familiar with the SF-2’s capabilities. It
will assist you in making the most of the microphone’s 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-2 ribbon microphone.

Active Ribbon® Technology

The SF-2 is distinguished by its cross-field ribbon transducer and its proprietary electronic
system, consisting of a specially designed toroidal transformer and an electronic buffering stage.
The extremely light mass, 1.8-micron ribbon element is 1.25” (32 mm) in length,
<1/16” (1.6mm) wide, and housed in a classic two-polepiece, four-magnet ribbon transducer.
This ribbon system is able to respond to the most minute tonal nuances and transients beautifully,
with an extremely natural, uncolored output. The electronics system provides excellent frequency
response, extremely low noise and distortion, and moderately high SPL handling (130 dB @ 50
Hz) without the use of a pad. It also gives the SF-2 an output level comparable to that of
phantom powered condenser microphones, and its buffer stage provides a low impedance output
and presents an optimum load to the ribbon element at all times. Non-powered ribbon
microphones suffer substantially degraded frequency response and lowered gain when paired to
preamps with too low an input impedance. With the SF-2’s active electronic system, variations in
the input impedance of the following preamp have virtually no effect on the microphone’s
frequency response and output.

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Description

The Royer Labs SF-2 is a compact, bi-directional (figure-eight) velocity type ribbon microphone
designed for professional applications. It is a modern ribbon design, with no audible diffraction
effects or cavity resonance. The figure-eight pick-up pattern allows the SF-2 to be addressed
from either side with equal sensitivity. The in-phase signal is achieved when the microphone is
addressed from the front, indicated by the “ROYER” logo.

The SF-2 is reasonably tolerant to shock and vibration, but care should be taken to prevent rough
handling, which could stretch the sensitive ribbon element (see the Care & Maintenance section
of this manual). The performance of the microphone is unaffected by changes in temperature or
humidity.

It is important to note that while Royer ribbon microphones are known for durability, they still
must be treated with the respect due any fine instrument. All Royer’s are built to last a lifetime,
but the thicker ribbon elements in our R-series ribbon microphones were designed to withstand
closer miking and higher SPL’s than the finer ribbon elements used in the SF-2. The SF-2 is rated
to handle 130 dB SPL at 50 Hz, while the R-121 can handle levels greater than 135 dB SPL at 40
Hz. Please keep this in mind as you use your SF-2. Handled carefully, it will be many years
before you need to re-ribbon your microphone (ribbons can last indefinitely if not abused).

Ribbons in the Digital World

Digital recordings benefit greatly from the properties inherent in ribbon microphones. Since A/D
converters cannot distinguish between the sound source being recorded and the complex
distortion components often generated by condenser microphones, they can have difficulty
tracking the signal, resulting in ringing and edgy-sounding tracks. With ribbon microphones,
ringing is almost nonexistent due to the ribbon’s lack of distortion artifacts and high-frequency
peaks. A/D converters have less difficulty tracking the ribbon-generated signal, resulting in
smoother sounding digital recordings free of microphone-related edginess.

User’s Guide

Using the SF-2 Active Ribbon® Microphone

The head amplification system in the SF-2 was designed to operate with standard 48-volt simplex
phantom power only. The microphone will not work at all if phantom power is not applied to the
microphone! This aspect of an active ribbon microphone is in sharp contrast to conventional
ribbon microphones. The ribbon elements in non-powered ribbon mics can be stretched or
completely blown by phantom power. The ribbon elements in Royer’s active series ribbon
microphones are electronically isolated and can not be damaged by phantom power.

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1. To ensure long service life of your SF-2 active ribbon® microphone, care should be taken
when connecting the microphone. We offer the following information as a general set of
good habits that apply to both active ribbon mics and solid-state condenser microphones.

2. Although it is usually safe to “hot plug” most phantom-powered microphones to a
preamplifier or console with the phantom activated, we suggest deactivating the phantom
power prior to plugging the microphone in when possible. This minimizes any chance of
random voltage surges entering the microphone. More importantly, it reduces the possibility
of loud pops being transmitted to your monitors should the volume control be raised.
Damage to your speakers could result from this oversight.

3. Be certain that the input channel fader or volume control is set to minimum before plugging
in the microphone. Preamplifier gain trim should be set to minimum. Plug the microphone in
and activate the phantom power switch. The microphone’s electronics will stabilize in a few
seconds.

4. When the microphone becomes operational, bring the channel fader to 0-dB (unity) and use
the gain-trim to set the desired level. This technique maximizes the signal-to-noise
performance of the preamplifier or console input channel.

5. When disconnecting the microphone, bring the channel faders down and unplug the
microphone cable ends. It is also advisable to turn off the phantom power before unplugging
the microphone whenever possible.

Operation

1. The SF-2 is a side address, figure-8 (bi-directional) microphone and the rejection in the null
points is very strong. The null points are the sides, top and bottom of the microphone.
Engineers use the null points of figure-8 microphones to isolate instruments by positioning
the mics in such a way that the null points face, and cancel, unwanted sounds.

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 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 singers are placed at opposite sides, at equal distances and singing in unison, so
listen to the feed before committing to it.

3. When using a ribbon microphone with loud signal sources, placing the microphone slightly
off axis to the signal source will help protect the ribbon element.

4. The phantom powered SF-2 must be connected to a preamplifier or console capable of
delivering 48-volts at a minimum of 4-milliamperes. Faulty or improperly wired cables could

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cause the microphone to become inoperative. Since the active electronics isolate the ribbon
element from phantom power, a miswired cable should not cause damage to the ribbon.

5. Never attempt to “test” the SF-2 or any ribbon microphone with an ohmmeter. A blown
ribbon could result.

6. Always provide adequate wind protection by using a windscreen or mic sock with your SF-2
(and any other ribbon microphone).

7. If the microphone is to remain set up on a stand when not in use, place the provided mic sock
over it until it is to be used. 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.

Using the RSM-24 Shock Mount Accessory

Description

The SF-2 comes standard with an SFS-2 shock mount. This mount is operated by squeezing the
clip side of the shock to widen its felt-lined interior, inserting the microphone, then releasing the
clip to hold the mic securely.

The SF-2 with Deluxe packaging is supplied with a Royer RSM-24 suspension type shock
mount. The RSM-24’s specially formulated polymer mounts provide maximum isolation from
shock and vibration while holding the SF-2 securely in place, allowing the microphone to be
safely positioned at any angle.

Carefully slide the SF-2 into the RSM-24, lining up the microphone’s logo with the RSM-24’s
forward facing slot. The fit will feel tight, but the RSM-24’s Teflon interior will not scratch the
microphone’s finish.

Amplification Considerations

Most quality microphone preamplifiers with nominal to high-gain characteristics and a built-in
48-volt phantom power source will give good results with your SF-2 active ribbon microphone.
Unlike standard ribbon microphones, which depend on a proper impedance match to deliver
optimal performance, the input impedance of your preamplifier will have minimal effect on the
SF-2’s performance because the ribbon element is loaded perfectly via the microphone’s internal
electronics. Careful consideration should be given to the quality of the microphone preamplifier.
Studio grade preamplifiers usually sound much better than cheaper models. Headroom, noise
floor, transparency and coloration are all factors to consider in determining which preamplifier is
suitable for your studio or live applications. Other features are usually secondary and fall into the
categories of convenience or interface capabilities (such as digital or optical outputs).

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