Royer SF-2

SF-2 Active Ribbon Microphone

The SF-2 ribbon microphone is a phantom-powered version of our original SF-1 ribbon microphone. Designed primarily for classical applications and acoustic instruments, the SF-2 combines high-quality audio performance with our exclusive active electronics for ribbon microphones. The SF-2’s output of -38 dB puts its sensitivity on par with that of phantom powered condenser microphones, allowing it to be used with a wide variety of mic pre’s regardless of gain characteristics.

The unique electronics and custom designed FET’s used in the SF-2 deliver ultra-quiet operation, with self-noise of lower than 18 dB. The SF-2’s magnet/pole piece transducer structure gives a wide, uniform frequency response with no substantial peaks or dips, and the 1.8-micron ribbon element delivers superb transient response.

Gain & Impedance Matching

Our Active Series ribbon mics are as sensitive as phantom powered condenser microphones, allowing you to use virtually any mic preamplifier. The SF-2 contains a fully balanced, discrete head amplifier system which utilizes a specially wound toroidal transformer and ultra-low noise FET’s to deliver a sensitivity of -38 dB.

The electronics in the SF-2 provide a perfect load to the ribbon element at all times, allowing the microphone to deliver 100% of its full sonic potential. Due to its low-impedance output, SF-2’s can be used on extremely long cable runs with minimal signal loss. In addition, the ribbon element cannot be damaged by phantom power, electrical glitches or miswired cables.

The SF-2 Story

Twenty prototype SF-2’s circulated in major studios and scoring stages for years before the microphone’s release. They were extremely well received in classical circles, where they excel on choir, piano, woodwinds, strings, and many other applications. They were also well received in studios focusing more on acoustic instruments, singer/songwriters, etc.