RB100

ribbon microphone

user manual
Musikhaus Thomann
Thomann GmbH
Hans-Thomann-Straße 1
96138 Burgebrach
Germany
Telephone: +49 (0) 9546 9223-0
E-mail: [email protected]
Internet: www.thomann.de

04.09.2015, ID: 107913

 Table of contents

Table of contents
1 General notes............................................................................................................................................... 4
2 Safety instructions..................................................................................................................................... 6
3 Installation and starting up.................................................................................................................. 8
4 Technical specifications....................................................................................................................... 11
5 Protecting the environment.............................................................................................................. 13

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 General notes

1 General notes
This user manual contains important information on safe operation of the device. Read and
follow all safety notes and all instructions. Save this manual for future reference. Make sure
that it is available to all persons using this device. If you sell the device to other users, be sure
that they also receive this manual.
Our products are subject to a process of continuous development. We therefore reserve the
right to make changes without notice.

Symbols and signal words This section provides an overview of the symbols and signal words used in this user manual.

Signal word Meaning

DANGER! This combination of symbol and signal word indicates an
immediate dangerous situation that will result in death or
serious injury if it is not avoided.
NOTICE! This combination of symbol and signal word indicates a pos‐
sible dangerous situation that can result in material and
environmental damage if it is not avoided.

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 General notes

Warning signs Type of danger

Warning – danger zone.

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 Safety instructions

2 Safety instructions
Intended use Use the device only as described in this user manual. Any other use or use under other oper‐
ating conditions is considered to be improper and may result in personal injury or property
damage. No liability will be assumed for damages resulting from improper use.
This device may be used only by persons with sufficient physical, sensorial, and intellectual
abilities and having corresponding knowledge and experience. Other persons may use this
device only if they are supervised or instructed by a person who is responsible for their safety.

Safety
DANGER!
Danger for children
Ensure that plastic bags, packaging, etc. are disposed of properly and are not
within reach of babies and young children. Choking hazard!
Ensure that children do not detach any small parts (e.g. knobs or the like) from
the unit. They could swallow the pieces and choke!
Never let children unattended use electrical devices.

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 Safety instructions

NOTICE!
Operating conditions
This device has been designed for indoor use only. To prevent damage, never
expose the device to any liquid or moisture. Avoid direct sunlight, heavy dirt, and
strong vibrations.

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Installation and starting up

3 Installation and starting up

Unpack and carefully check that there is no transportation damage before using the unit. Keep
the equipment packaging. To fully protect the device against vibration, dust and moisture
during transportation or storage use the original packaging or your own packaging material
suitable for transport or storage, respectively.

Establish all connections as long as the unit is switched off. Use the shortest possible high-
quality cables for all connections.

NOTICE!
Faults or damage to the device
Never try to measure the impedance of the microphone with an ohmmeter. The
test voltage would destroy the delicate ribbon.

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 Installation and starting up

XLR connection for signal A balanced XLR mounting plug is used for signal output. Drawing and table indicate the XLR
output pin assignment.

1 Ground, shielding
2 Signal (+)
3 Signal (–)

Polar pattern
The ‘Figure-8’ characteristics of this microphone can be used, e.g., to record two singers simul‐
taneously. It often sounds better than two separate microphones in the same room. But even
with only one singer the figure-8 characteristic makes sense, as the proximity effect creates a
pleasant, rich bass. The figure-8 characteristic emphasizes the sound source in front and
behind the microphone, but attenuates sources, which are arranged laterally to it. Place the
microphone about 30 % farther away from the sound source than an equivalent omnidirec‐
tional microphone.
The ‘t.bone’ logo on the unit marks the centre of the recording area.

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 Installation and starting up

In horizontal direction the microphone does not differentiate too much between different
sound sources. Therefore, multiple instruments or singers can be arranged in front of the
microphone, without overemphasizing the middle position.

Tips on handling and posi‐ Like all ribbon microphones, the construction design makes this unit more sensitive to shock
tioning and to direct blowing in than other types of microphones. Protect the microphone against
strong air movements, such as can occur with kick drums and guitar and bass amplifiers. To
detect strong air movements, simply hold your hand in front of the sound source. If you feel air
movement, this place would be too close for the microphone. Try a bigger distance or different
angle to the sound source.
We recommend always using a pop filter for vocal and speech recording - not only to
attenuate pop noises and sibilants, but also to protect the microphone against too much mois‐
ture.
The microphone does not require a power supply. However, you can connect it to a mixer
input that provides phantom power, if it is wired correctly.
Also protect the microphone against vibrations during transport. Always transport it well
packed inside the included cloth bag and the wooden box.
Don't let the unit drop on the floor. Even one single hard impact can deform the ribbon. The
microphone then may seem to be working, but the sound is severely impaired. In this case the
device needs professional repair.

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 Technical specifications

4 Technical specifications

Transducer Electrodynamic ribbon microphone

Ribbon thickness 2.5 µm
Polar pattern Figure-8
Frequency response 30 Hz … 15 kHz, ± 3 dB
Sensitivity –54 dB
Output impedance ≤ 600 Ω
Maximum SPL 148 dB
Rated impedance > 1500 Ω
Overall length 175 mm
Overall diameter 37 mm
Weight 496 g

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Technical specifications

Connection 3-pin XLR

Standard accessory Microphone holder, wooden box, cloth bag

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 Protecting the environment

5 Protecting the environment

Disposal of the packaging mate‐
rial
For the transport and protective packaging, environmentally friendly materials have been
chosen that can be supplied to normal recycling.
Ensure that plastic bags, packaging, etc. are properly disposed of.
Do not just dispose of these materials with your normal household waste, but make sure that
they are collected for recycling. Please follow the notes and markings on the packaging.

Disposal of your old device

This product is subject to the European Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment Directive
(WEEE). Do not dispose with your normal household waste.
Dispose of this device through an approved waste disposal firm or through your local waste
facility. When discarding the device, comply with the rules and regulations that apply in your
country. If in doubt, consult your local waste disposal facility.

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Notes

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Musikhaus Thomann · Hans-Thomann-Straße 1 · 96138 Burgebrach · Germany · www.thomann.de