Royer Labs SF-24 Phantom Powered Stereo Ribbon Microphone

The Royer SF-24 stereo ribbon microphone is a phantom powered version of the popular Royer SF-12 stereo ribbon microphone, combining the SF-12's high quality audio performance, outstanding stereo separation and imaging with Royer's exclusive active electronics system for ribbon microphones. The SF-24's output of -38 dB is a full 14 dB more sensitive than the non-powered Royer SF-12, putting its sensitivity on par with that of phantom powered condenser microphones. The unique electronics and custom designed FET's used in the SF-24 allow for ultra-quiet operation, with self-noise of lower than 18 dB.

Royer SF-24 at a Glance:

• It's like getting two matched ribbon mics in one package.
• Because the SF-24 is active, you can use just about any mic preamp with it.
• Perfect impedance matching delivers sonic reality

Matched Pair In One
Like an SF12, the SF24 is actually two matched ribbon microphones placed one above the other, each aimed 45 degrees from center in the classic Blumlein configuration. The magnet/polepiece structure of each ribbon transducer allows a wide, uniform frequency range with no substantial peaks or dips, and the two 1.8-micron ribbons produce superb transient response. Frequency response is excellent regardless of the angle of sound striking the ribbons and off-axis coloration is negligible. The SF-24's extension cable comes with a Y adapter that splits into separate 3-pin male XLR connectors labeled "Upper" and "Lower" for the upper and lower capsules of the microphone (when held vertically).

More to Gain...
Royer's Active Series ribbon mics (SF-24 and R-122) are as sensitive as phantom powered condenser microphones, allowing you to use almost any mic preamplifier or board pre. Conventional ribbon microphones average 15 to 20 dB lower sensitivity than condenser mics, necessitating the use of high-quality, high-gain microphone preamplifiers for recording softer sound sources like acoustic instruments, vocals and room ambiance. The SF-24 contains two fully balanced, discrete head amplifier systems utilizing ultra-low noise FET's, each delivering a sensitivity of -38 dB. This lets you mate an SF-24 to any preamplifier with average gain characteristics. Even with quiet sound sources, you'll have enough gain to drive any recording medium.

Impedance Matching
The electronics in the SF24 provide a perfect load to the ribbon elements at all times, allowing the microphone to deliver 100% of its full sonic potential regardless of the input characteristics of the following mic-pre. Due to its low-impedance output, SF-24's can also be used on extremely long cable runs with minimal signal loss.

A good impedance match is critical to ribbon microphones. Impedance mis-matching loads a ribbon improperly, resulting in loss of low end, diminished body, lowered sensitivity and an overall compromised performance. With our Active Series ribbon mics, the ribbon element lives in a perfect world. It sees an optimum impedance match at all times regardless of the following equipment, so its performance will never be compromised by the effects of improper loading. In addition, the ribbon element cannot be damaged by phantom power, electrical glitches or miswired cables.

Royer SF-24 Features:

• True stereophonic recording from one microphone
• Operates from standard 48-volt simplex power
• Active electronics provide high output capability
• Extremely low self noise
• Ribbon element not affected by load presented to microphone element unaffected by heat or humidity
• Equal sensitivity from front and back of elements
• Consistent frequency response regardless of distance to sound source
• Very low magnetic leakage