Golden Age Audio - R1 Tube ACTIVE

The Golden Age Audio R1 Tube Active takes a resolutely classic approach to sound recording, while meeting modern requirements for level, stability and compatibility. Its design is based on three essential pillars of traditional analogue recording: a ribbon transducer, audio transformers and a tube amplifier stage. The whole works as a coherent whole, without excess, with a clear objective: to produce a dense, immediately usable musical signal.

The pure aluminium ribbon, 2 microns thick and 50 mm long, forms the heart of the microphone. It ensures a rapid response to transients while preserving the soft, fluid texture typical of ribbon microphones. The figure-of-eight pick-up pattern allows the source to be picked up naturally, with precise articulation of front and rear, while effectively rejecting the sides. This property is particularly interesting for room miking, controlled ambient recording or creative placement in front of complex sources.

The 6J14 active tube stage plays a fundamental role in the microphone's behaviour. It isolates the ribbon and output transformer from the impedance variations of the preamplifier, guaranteeing a constant sound signature whatever the downstream equipment. This amplification also provides a high output level for a ribbon microphone, close to that of many condenser microphones, making it easy to integrate into all types of audio chain without the need for specific high-gain preamplification.

The combination of transformers and tube amplification generates natural harmonics that give the signal a sense of depth and presence, without overloading the spectrum. The bass remains extended and solid, the midrange retains precise articulation, and the treble rises smoothly without harshness. Capable of handling up to 165dB SPL, the R1 Tube Active can be positioned in front of powerful sources as well as more delicate instruments or vocals, without the risk of unwanted saturation.