Press Release: Royer Labs, a leading manufacturer of high quality ribbon microphones, is pleased to announce the SF-2 Active Ribbon Microphone. Designed as a premium instrument for use in classical performance applications or to capture acoustic instruments, the SF-2 is a phantom powered version of the company’s original SF-1 ribbon microphone and combines Royer’s legendary audio performance attributes with their exclusive active electronics for ribbon microphones.
The new Royer Labs SF-2 has an output level of -38 dB—putting its sensitivity on par with that of phantom powered condenser microphones. This enables the microphone to be used with a wide variety of mic preamplifiers, regardless of gain characteristics. The SF-2’s unique electronics and custom designed FET's deliver ultra-quiet operation; with self-noise of lower than 18 dB.
The SF-2’s magnet/pole piece transducer structure provides a wide, uniform frequency response with no substantial peaks or dips, and the 1.8-micron ribbon element delivers superb transient response. The mic contains a fully balanced, discrete head amplifier system that utilizes a specially wound toroidal transformer and ultra-low noise FET's to deliver a sensitivity of -38 dB.
Equally notable, the SF-2’s electronics create no additional self-noise. All of the microphone’s higher output is the result of its large, specially wound toroidal transformer, which provides an additional 14 dB of 'free gain.' The phantom powered system operates at less than unity, adding no noise of its own.
The electronics in the SF-2 provide a perfect load to the ribbon element at all times, enabling the microphone to deliver 100% of its full sonic potential regardless of the input characteristics of the following mic preamplifier. Due to its low-impedance output, the SF-2 can be used on extremely long cable runs with minimal signal loss.
The Royer Labs SF-2 Active Ribbon Microphone ships in an aluminum presentation case with an SFS-2 shock mount, mic sock, documentation, and owner’s manual. There is also an optionally available SF-2 Deluxe Package that includes a beautiful Padauk wood presentation case, a Royer-made 20-foot microphone cable, a premium RSM-24 shock mount, documentation, and owner’s manual — all packaged in an aluminum carrying/storage case.
Royer Labs' SF-2 is expected to ship September 17th 2012.
MSRP pricing is as follows:
SF-2 Standard Package: $2495
SF-2 Deluxe Package: $3295
You can head to www.royerlabs.com for more info.
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