User manual

It also makes the R1 Tube Active able to drive long
microphone cables without any problems and insures
that the sound is consistent with dierent preamps. One
of the factors that usually changes the sound of passive
ribbon microphones is the input impedance of the fol-
lowing microphone preamp. The active output circuitry
in the R1 Tube Active buers the ribbon and the gain
make-up transformer from the outside world and the
result is that the R1 Tube Active will consistently give
you maximum performance in any situation.
The R1 Tube Active 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 R1 Tube Active meets the
most stringent demands.
To get maximum benet and trouble free use out of the
R1 Tube Active, please read this manual carefully.
UNPACKING, INSPECTION STORAGE AND
TRANSPORT
The R1 Tube Active was carefully tested and packed at
the factory. The aluminium case has been designed to
protect the microphone when you store, ship or move it.
Please always use it when you need to transport the R1
Tube Active for service or for any other reason.
IMPORTANT NOTICE:
The ribbon assembly in the R1 Tube Active, as in any
ribbon microphones, is very sensitive and fragile and can
be easily damaged if handled the wrong way,
That is why it is important that you immediately aer
you have received the R1 Tube Active, veries that it
is working properly and that it has not been damaged
during shipping.
The warranty of the ribbon assembly in the R1 Tube
Active does not extend beyond this initial inspection,
since it can be damaged so easily if it isn´t handled
properly.
In the rare case that the R1 Active is not working prop-
erly when receiving it, please contact your dealer.
FEATURES
- The unmatched natural and musical sound of a clas-
sical ribbon microphone combined with the consistent
sound quality oered by the addition of active electronics.
- A low-noise 12AX7 tube amplier that isolates the
ribbon and gain make-up transformer from the outside
world.
- A stunning realism with the feeling of “being-there”.
- The typical large and mellow ribbon sound quality
with a very smooth top end and an extended low end.
- A fast and life-like transient reproduction.
- An ultra-high SPL capability, 165 dB SPL (1% THD @
1000Hz) and a very high sensitivity for a ribbon micro-
phone, similar to many condenser microphones.
- A Figure-8 directional paern for wide sweet spots
both in the front and in the back of the microphone. Zero
spots towards the sides.
- A 50 mm long ribbon made of 2 microns thick alu-
minium foil.
- An internal shock mount for the ribbon and magnet
assembly.
- A removable microphone cable and a
nice aluminium ight case.
- Manufactured of the nest materials
for a great performance and long-term
reliability.
- The R1 Tube Active can be used with
any standard mixer or preamp, prefer-
ably with a balanced input.
USE OF THE R1 TUBE ACTIVE
Connect the supplied cable between the
R1 Tube Active and the power supply
with the power switch o. Then
connect a standard balanced XLR
microphone cable between the 3-pin
XLR connector on power supply to
the preamp or mixer. The R1 Tube
Active power supply needs 115
or 230V AC power. For optimum
performance, let the R1Tube Active
warm up for at least 15 minutes
before use.
The Figure-8 paern of the R1
Tube Active gives you the ability to
separate sound sources by placing
the unwanted ones in the side zero
w w w . g o l d e n a g e p r o j e c t . c o m
I
Vintage Style Tube Active Ribbon Microphone
INTRODUCTION
Congratulations on choosing the Golden Age Project R1 Tube Active microphone!
The R1 Tube Active is a unique microphone since it is one of the very few high quality vintage style
ribbon microphone with active tube electronics on the market and especially since it probably is the
rst low cost one!
The R1 Tube Active oers the unique and natural sound that has been available in classical micro-
phones like the RCA 44 and 77 that are still used to make high quality recordings today aer
almost 70 years. On top of that, the active tube circuitry gives you that special tube intimacy,
warmth and sparkle. It also raises the output level considerably to be similar to that of many con-
denser microphones. This has the good eect that one does not need special high gain microphone
preamps when using the R1 Tube Active on quiet sound sources.