User Manual

Introduction
Congratulations on your purchase of a Royer Labs model SF-12 ribbon microphone. The SF-12
is a handcrafted, precision instrument capable of delivering superior sound quality and overall
high performance.
This operator’s manual describes the SF-12, its function and method of use. It also describes the
care and maintenance required to ensure proper operation and long service life. The users guide
section of this manual offers practical information that is designed to maximize the performance
capabilities of this microphone.
Royer Labs products are manufactured to the highest industrial standards using only the finest
materials obtainable. Your model SF-12 went through extensive quality control checks before
leaving the factory. Normal care is all that is required to assure a lifetime of trouble-free service.
Please read this manual thoroughly in order to become familiar with all of the SF-12’s
capabilities. It will assist you in making the most of its superior acoustic properties. This owner’s
manual is a handy reference guide and we suggest you refer to it whenever questions arise on the
use and care of your SF-12 ribbon microphone.
Description
The SF-12 is a compact, stereophonic ribbon microphone array consisting of two matched
microphone elements that are placed one above the other. Each transducer is positioned at 45¼
to the left and right of center, or 90¼ from each other. When held vertically, connector down and
the “ROYER” logo facing the sound source, the upper microphone is the right channel and the
lower one is the left channel, from the perspective of an observer behind the mic. The
microphone elements are each bi-directional (figure-8) and may be addressed from either side
with equal sensitivity. The in-phase signals are achieved when the microphone is addressed from
the front, as indicated by the “ROYER” logo. If, however, the microphone is suspended upside
down, the connections to the preamplifier should be reversed since what was the left transducer
is now responding to signals from the right and vice versa.
Your SF-12 is equipped with a 5-pin XLR extension cable and a splitter cable that fans out to
twin 3-pin male XLR connectors. As shipped from the factory, the connectors are marked
“upper” and “lower” since referring to them as “left” and “right” could lead to confusion.
The SF-12 is reasonably tolerant of shock and vibration, but care should be taken to prevent
accidental stretching of the ribbon elements. This is covered in the Care & Maintenance section
of this manual. The performance of the microphone is unaffected by changes in temperature or
humidity.
3