User guide

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 though extensive quality control

checks before leaving the factory. Normal care, given to any quality instrument, is all that

is required to assure years of trouble-free service.

Please read the 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.

The SF-12 is a compact stereophonic ribbon microphone array consisting of two (2)

matched microphone elements that are placed one above the 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 someone

behind the mic. The microphone elements are each bi-directional (figure-eight) 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 hung on its cable, 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 from the perspective of someone at the microphone location.

Your SF-12 is equipped with a 5-pin XLR extension cable and an adapter that fans out to

twin 3-pin male XLR connectors. As shipped from the factory, the connectors are

marked “upper” and “lower” since calling them ‘”left” and “right” could lead to confusion.

The SF-12 is tolerant of shock and vibration, and is unaffected by changes in temperature

or humidity. Normal care appropriate to any precision instrument is all that is required

to assure years of trouble-free service.

Using the SF Ribbon Microphone

The SF-12 is a versatile device capable of accurate sound reproduction. There are a few

important facts about ribbon microphones that are key in understanding how to use them