VR88 Active Velocity Ribbon Microphone OWNER'S MANUAL
Copyright 2013 v1.3 Samson Technologies Corp. 45 Gilpin Avenue Hauppauge, New York 11788-8816 Phone: 1-800-3-SAMSON (1-800-372-6766) Fax: 631-784-2201 www.samsontech.
Table of Contents Proper Care and Handling . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 VR88 Features . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 Operating the VR88 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 VR88 Applications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 Using the Shockmount . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Proper Care and Handling Your new VR88 ribbon microphone is a sophisticated audio instrument and with proper care and handling it will provide years of enjoyable and reliable performance. Follow each point below to ensure a your microphone remains in good condition. • Handle the VR88 carefully and avoid dropping the microphone. • Always store the VR88 in its case. It’s a good idea to keep the case upright so that the microphone is at a ninety-degree angle with the floor or storage shelves.
Introduction Congratulations on your purchase of the VR88 velocity ribbon microphone from Samson Technologies! The VR88 features a fine, pure aluminum corrugated ribbon suspended within an intense neodymium field producing a warm and natural response that’s silky smooth from bottom to top. The VR88 combines the sweetness of traditional classic ribbon technology with the precision and versatility of advanced condenser microphone head-amplifier electronics.
VR88 Features • Low mass, 2.5-micron thick, aluminum ribbon provides extremely detailed transient response • Strong neodymium magnets and precision electronics provide increased sensitivity and low self-noise perfect for miking soft, delicate sounds.
Operating the VR88 Powering the VR88 The VR88 features an active head amplifier and therefore needs to be operated by connecting a phantom power supply. Phantom power is standard on most quality mixers, outboard mic preamps and hard disk recorders. If necessary, an external phantom supply can also be used. The VR88 receives the phantom power directly from a mic cable when connected to a mixer or other microphone input that includes a phantom supply.
Operating the VR88 For most vocal applications you’ll want to position the microphone directly in front of the artist. The same may be true for miking instruments, however, you can make some pretty amazing equalization adjustments by slightly changing the angle of the capsule to the sound source. This can be a very useful technique in capturing the optimum sound of a drum set, acoustic guitar, piano or other instruments in a live room or sound stage.
VR88 Applications The VR88 is an excellent choice for miking a variety of sound sources including vocals, piano, reed and brass instruments, electric and acoustic guitars and choirs and orchestras to name just a few. Vocals When using the VR88 on vocals, use of an external pop filter is strongly recommended. Position the microphone in front of the artist so that the microphone grill is approximating 4 to 10 inches away.
VR88 Applications Piano There are many great techniques for recording piano, regardless of what microphone you use. Often piano tracks are recorded in stereo so using two VR88’s is a great solution. The VR88’s are an excellent choice on piano since their active ribbon technology does not exhibit the comb filtering normally associated with condenser microphones. When recording piano, you first need to decide what kind of sound is required for the project.
VR88 Applications Guitar amp On guitar amplifiers, the VR88 will capture the nuance of the performance along with some serious low frequency response. The round bottom end is well suited for reproducing the warm tone of a jazz guitarist’s hollow body and also for delivering the serious chunk desired by today’s modern, drop down guitarists. As with other high SLP sounds, you’ll want to position the microphone at an angle off-axis to the sound source.
Using the Shockmount Follow the steps below for mounting the VR88 to a mic stand you can use the included “Spider” shockmount. • First, screw the shockmount onto your mic stand or boom arm. If you’re using a US 5/8” mic stand or boom, remove the Euro adapter. • Install the VR88 into the shockmount by fitting the microphone into the center of the holder, positioning the VR88 all the way to the bottom mounting plate.
Technical Specifications Frequency Response . . . . . . . . . . . . 30 ~ 16000 Hz Polar pattern . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Bi-directional (Figure 8) Element type . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Velocity Ribbon Ribbon thickness . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 microns Sensitivity . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . -40 dB/Pa Max SPL . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 137 dB Equivalent Noise Level . . . . . . . . .
Samson Technologies Corp. 45 Gilpin Avenue Hauppauge, New York 11788-8816 Phone: 1-800-3-SAMSON (1-800-372-6766) Fax: 631-784-2201 www.samsontech.
