Two Matched Ribbon Mics in One Body
The Royer SF-12 stereo coincident ribbon microphone combines high-quality audio performance with outstanding stereo separation and imaging. And, because it offers true stereophonic operation, you can achieve Blumlein and M-S recordings — from a single microphone. This modern ribbon design ensures no audible diffraction effects or cavity resonance. Moreover, since the SF-12 was designed without internal active electronics to overload, you get distortion-free performance all the way up to the microphone's impressive 130dB SPL rating. You also get low magnetic leakage, along with high-efficiency toroid transformers and a gold-plated output connector. Engineers searching for a streamlined method for top-shelf stereo recording owe it to themselves to check out the SF-12 from Sweetwater.
Related Videos: SF-12 Stereo Ribbon Microphone
Two matched ribbon mics in one body
The Royer SF-12 is actually two matched ribbon microphones placed one above the other and fixed at a 90-degree angle. This arrangement allows for Blumlein and M-S recording with one microphone and excellent monaural compatibility when summing the two ribbon elements to mono. The SF-12's frequency response is excellent regardless of the angle of sound striking the ribbons, and off-axis coloration is negligible. The Royer SF-12's extension cable comes with an adapter that splits into separate left and right XLR connectors labeled "upper" and "lower."
Superb transient response from low-mass ribbons
The Royer SF-12's two 1.8-micron ribbons comprise pure (99.99%) aluminum and provide superb transient response due to their low mass. Each of the Royer SF-12's two ribbon transducers incorporates "cross-field" motor assemblies (patent pending), which consist of four powerful neodymium magnets and permendur iron pole pieces. This crossfield design delivers excellent high-frequency response due to the extremely short path between the front and rear (sides) of the ribbon elements. The microphone's case is ingot iron and forms part of the magnetic return circuit, an effective system with low leakage flux that accounts for the relatively high sensitivity in a trim package.
Stereo recording at its finest for any application
Trust the Royer SF-12 to provide flawless reproduction of any stereo source. It's especially well suited to capture large sections and ensembles with outstanding clarity and imaging. The SF-12 is ideal for percussion instruments, acoustic guitars, and other plucked strings.
Royer: mics that are as good as Grammy gold
In 2013, Royer Labs was honored with a Technical Grammy Award for the company's outstanding ribbon mics. In the words of The Recording Academy, these mics "were revolutionary and moved the art of recording forward."
Royer SF-12 Stereo Ribbon Microphone Features:
- True stereophonic (Blumlein and M-S) recording from one microphone
- No internal active electronics to overload or produce distortion up to maximum SPL rating.
- Extremely low residual noise
- Ribbon elements unaffected by heat or humidity
- Absence of high frequency peaks, "ringing," and phase shifts
- Equal sensitivity from the front and back of elements
- Very low magnetic leakage
- High-efficiency toroid matching transformers and gold-plated output connector
