SF-2

Common name: Royer Labs SF-2

Production Status: In production

The SF-2 ribbon microphone is a phantom-powered version of the original Royer SF-1 ribbon microphone featuring a 1.8-micron element. Designed primarily for classical applications and acoustic instruments, the SF-2 combines high-quality audio performance with active electronics. 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 contains a fully balanced, discrete head amplifier system which with a specially wound toroidal transformer and ultra-low noise FET. The SF-2’s electronics create no additional self-noise. All of the SF-2’s higher output comes from its large, specially wound toroidal transformer and the phantom powered system operates at less than unity, adding no noise of its own. Due to its low-impedance output, SF-2’s can be used on extremely long cable runs with minimal signal loss. The SF-2 is ideal for recording many sources including choir, woodwinds, flute, violin, cello, brass, string, woodwind sections, piano, harp, orchestra, acoustic guitar, mandolin, banjo, percussion instruments, vocals, and drum overheads.