Royer Labs
Royer SF-24
Active stereo coincident ribbon mic: two figure-8 ribbons at 90° (Blumlein, M-S) in one body, phantom powered
Approximate Some readings for this mic are uncertain; see the graphs.
Power Phantom 48 V only, on each channel.
- Type
- Ribbon
- Pattern
- Figure-8
- Sensitivity
- −38 dBV/Pa
- Among 28 ribbons: more output than 78%
- Among 311 mics: more output than 62%
- Max SPL
- 130 dB SPL
- Among 29 ribbons: takes louder sound than 11%
- Among 343 mics: takes louder sound than 16%
- Rated range
- 40 – 15k Hz
vs 24 side-address ribbons
More output than 78% of 24 side-address ribbons.
Each stripe is one side-address ribbon with a published sensitivity, and each bar counts them; further right means more output. This mic is in blue.
vs 28 side-address ribbons
Takes louder sound than 11% of 28 side-address ribbons.
Each stripe is one side-address ribbon with a published max SPL, and each bar counts them; further right means it takes louder sound. This mic is in blue.
Instruments sources recommend it for most
2 of 3; all under Recommended for.
Proximity effect: the bass it gains up close
From the spec sheet, p. 2. Approximate
Titled "Frequency Response and Polar Pattern"; distance and room not stated.
Approximate: reading error up to about 1 dB.
Dashed: outside the rated range, or simulated (other angles and distances). Hover or tap the graphs for values.
In practice
All specs
| From the spec sheet | ||
|---|---|---|
| Capsule | two 1.8 micron aluminium ribbons, crossed at 90°, one above the other | p. 2 |
| Sensitivity | −38 dBV/Paper element, ±1 dB. "-38 dB (re. 1v/pa ±1dB)"; the manual says ">-38 dBv". | |
| Max SPL | 130 dB SPLat 50 Hz. Manual p. 8: "the SF-24's ribbons would stretch well before its electronics would overload". | |
| Output impedance | 200 ohmThe manual (p. 17) says "300 Ohms @ 1 kHz". | |
| Rated load impedance | 1000 ohmminimum. "1K-Ohm minimum"; the manual (p. 17) says "> 1500 Ohms". | |
| Rated frequency range | 40 Hz to 15 kHz±2 dB. The manual (p. 17) says "30 Hz – 15,000 Hz ± 3 dB". | |
| Powering | phantom 48 V only, on each channel | |
| Current draw | 4 mAper channel | |
| Connector | XLR-5 male (stereo) | |
| Weight | 583 gThe manual (p. 17) says 531 g. | |
| Dimensions | 39 × 270 mm"270mm X 39mm (base) X 25mm (top)": length 270 mm, 39 mm wide at the base, 25 mm at the top. | |
| Finish | optical black (black chrome over nickel); 18K gold optionalBlack chrome over nickel: manual p. 16. | |
| Supplied accessories | 25 ft XLR-5 to 2 × XLR-3 male cable; shock mount; protective case; mic sockOptional: windscreen, 50 or 100 ft extension cables. The manual names the shock mount RSM-24. | |
| Self-noise | less than 18 dB | |
| Magnets | Rare-earth neodymium | |
| Body | Ingot iron (low carbon steel) case, part of the magnetic return path | p. 1 |
| Warranty | Lifetime to the original owner; first re-ribbon free within the first year | p. 2 |
| ApplicationsRoyer | Stereo and distance miking; choir, orchestra, strings; drum overheads and percussion; room and ambience; brass; woodwinds; stereo piano, harp; acoustic guitar, mandolin | p. 1 |
| From the manual | ||
| Electronics | Toroidal transformers and electronic buffer stages; output 15-25 dB higher than a passive ribbon mic; the ribbons see a constant load whatever the preamp | p. 3 |
Documents
- ROYER SF-24 Active Stereo Coincident Ribbon Microphonecut sheet
- Model SF-24 Stereo Active Ribbon Velocity Microphone, operation instructions manual & user guide
Copies kept by Mic Archive (manufacturers move and drop their documents). Each is © Royer Labs, unchanged, with its original address.
Recommended for
By recording guides, engineers and mic makers, for this mic or an earlier version of it.