GA PREMIER R1A Vintage Style Active Ribbon Microphone Instructions

GA PREMIER R1A Vintage Style Active Ribbon Microphone

INTRODUCTION

Congratulations on choosing the Golden Age Premier R1A microphone!

• The R1A is a unique microphone since it is a high quality and low cost vintage style ribbon microphone with active electronics using high end components.

• The R1A offers the special and natural sound that has been available in classical microphones like the RCA 44 and 77 that are still used to make high quality recordings today after around 80 years. On top of that, the active circuitry raises the output level considerably to be similar to that of many condenser microphones. This has the good effect that one does not need special high gain microphone preamps when using the R1A on quiet sound sources. It also makes the R1A able to drive long microphone cables without any problems and insures that the sound is consistent with different preamps.

• One of the factors that usually changes the sound of passive ribbon microphones is the input impedance
  of the following microphone preamp. The active output circuitry in the R1A buffers the ribbon and the gain make-up transformer from the outside world and the result is that the R1A will consistently give you maximum performance in any situation.

• The R1A 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 R1A meets the most stringent demands. To get maximum benefit and trouble free use out of the R1A please read this manual carefully.

UNPACKING, INSPECTION STORAGE AND TRANSPORT

The R1A was carefully tested and packed at the factory. The padded pouch that comes with the R1A has been designed to protect the microphone when you store, ship or move it.
The ribbon assembly in the R1A, as in any ribbon microphones, is sensitive and fragile and can be damaged if handled the wrong way, That is why it is important that you immediately after you have received the R1A, verifies that it is working properly and that it has not been damaged during shipping. In the rare case that the R1A is not working properly when receiving it, please contact your dealer.
The warranty of the ribbon assembly in the R1A does not extend beyond this initial inspection, since it can be damaged if it isn´t handled properly.

FEATURES

• The unmatched natural and musical sound of a classical ribbon microphone combined with a discrete amplifier (no integrated coircuits used), powered by standard 48V phantom power, that isolates the ribbon and the gain make-up transformer from the outside world. A stunning realism with the feeling of “being-there” and a fast and life-like transient reproduction.
• The typical large and mellow ribbon sound quality with a very smooth top end and an extended low end.
• An ultra-high SPL capability, 160 dB SPL (1% THD @ 1000Hz) and a very high sensitivity for a ribbon microphone, similar to many condenser microphones.
• Figure-8 directional pattern for wide sweet spots both in the front and in the back of the microphone.
•  50mm long ribbon made of 2 microns thick aluminium foil and an internal shock mount for the ribbon and magnet assembly.
• Selectable high pass filter and -10dB Pad.
• Removable microphone cable built with Mogami Neglex Studio Quad cable and Neutrik XLR goldplated connectors.
• Swedish made Lundahl 1927A transformer.
• High end Wima film and Nichicon electrolytic audio capacitors used in the amplifier.
• Manufactured of the finest materials for a great performance and long-term reliability.
• The R1A can be used with any standard mixer or preamp with a balanced input that can supply 48V phantom power.
• Great sound that suits most sound sources and genres.
• A solid build quality that will last many years of normal use.

USE OF THE R1A

• The R1A needs standard 48V phantom power to operate.

• The Figure-8 pattern of the R1A 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 R1A will remove most of the direct sound from the sound source. The R1A will still pick up that source from the reverberant field in the recording room though.

• Due to the small width of the ribbon, the horizontal pick-up pat-tern is very wide. It is much wider compared to a large capsule condenser microphone.

• The vertical pick-up pattern is narrow at the higher frequencies though due to the length of the ribbon. This is due to the fact the wavelength at higher frequencies is much shorter than the length of the ribbon. If you want maximum top end response from the R1A, it is important that the R1A is mounted so that it is parallel 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 effect can be used creatively. The narrow vertical pick-up pattern will lower the effect of high frequency sound reflections.

• Be aware of the proximity effect (an increase in bass response) when the R1A 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 microphone to the sound source for an optimum result in different situations. You can also use a highpass filter in the R1A to roll off the lower frequencies.

PRECAUTIONS

• The transducer part of the R1A 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 gen-erated in the ribbon since it is suspended in a magnetic field.
• 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 therefore very important that the R1A, as any other ribbon microphone, is treated with special care if it is not to be seriously damaged.
• In order to ensure a long life for your R1A, please always follow these guidelines:
  • Do never subject the R1A 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.
  • Do never blow into the R1A 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 R1A in your hand since any excessive air movement can damage the ribbon.
  •  Do always use a pop-filter when there is a risk of excessive air movements reaching the ribbon from the sound source. One example is close-up vocals. The pop-filter will also protect the R1A from mouth spray.
  • Do always protect the R1A from dirt and moisture.
  • Switch the phantom power on after the R1A has been connected to the mixer or preamp and switch the phantom power of and wait at least ten seconds before unplugging it.
  • When the R1A is not in use, do store it in its padded pouch.
  • Do always store the R1A in a vertical position. If it is stored horizontally, the 50 mm long ribbon can sag by time which will gradually degrade the performance of the R1A.
  • Avoid exposing the R1A to direct sunlight or extremes in humid-ity for extended periods of time.
  • Do not try to service the R1A yourself since this will void the warranty.

WARRANTY

• Due to the delicate nature of ribbon microphones which can easily be damaged by improper handling and use, the ribbon assembly is not covered under warranty.
• Please check your R1A carefully immediately when you receive it and make sure that there are no problems with the microphone. After that first initial inspection, the standard one year 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 for a quote for replacement of the ribbon assembly.

SPECIFICATIONS

• Type: Large ribbon geometry, pure alu-minium, 2 um thick, 50 x 5 mm size with active electronics.
• Polar pattern: Figure 8
• Frequency response: 30 Hz – 18 kHz +/- 3 dB
• Sensitivity: -40 dB (0 dB = 1V/Pa) @ 1 kHz
• Equivalent Noise Level (A-weighted per IEC 268-4): < 18 dB typical
• Maximum SPL (<1% THD @ 1 kHz): 160 dB. (with Pad engaged)
• Output impedance: 200 ohm, balanced
• Recommended load impedance: > 1000 Ohms
• Current consumption: 4 mA.
• Highpass filter: -3dB
• @160Hz, 6 dB/octave
• Pad: -10dB
• Dimensions: 69×185 mm.
• Weight: 820 g

R1A REGISTRATION

You are welcome to register your unit at our website: www.goldenagepremier.com

I would like to thank you for chosing the R1A!
I hope it will serve you well and that it will help you in making many great sounding recordings.
Bo Medin

Handmade high end pro audio for a lot less than you would expect!

WWW.GOLDENAGEPREMIER.COM

References

• goldenagepremier.com

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