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SE Electronics RT1

Pricing & Availability

  • MSRP: $1,499
  • Discontinued

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Reviews & News

RT1 Documentation

BidirectionalSE Electronics RT1

Bidirectional Tube Ribbon Microphone

Billed as the world’s first tube ribbon microphone, the RT1 combines the R1 ribbon mic with a tube preamplifier circuit based on the ECC83A (a low-noise version of the dual-triode 12AX7 tube). sE uses the same tube in its ICIS microphone.

The ribbon motor in the RT1 is the same as in the passive R1 ribbon; a 1.8-micron aluminum ribbon measuring 45mm in length is suspended between a pair of Neodymium magnets. This geometry qualifies the microphone as a “long ribbon” style.

The RT1 ships in a flight case with a power supply and power cable, a spider-type shockmount, and a warranty that includes 3 ribbon replacements.

As with the R1 ribbon, the RT1 provides two different sounds from the front and back of the mic.

Future Music

Interestingly, on-axis the front and back do sound slightly different, with the back slightly brighter with less proximity. This is very subtle, and I’m not sure whether it’s by design or not — but even so it increases your options.

This characteristic makes the RT1 somewhat less appropriate for use when equal frequency response is desired from both lobes of the bidirectional pickup pattern (such as mid-side or Blumlein).

We have noted that the published frequency-response chart on the sE Electronics website (also reproduced here) is identical for the R1 passive ribbon and RT1 active ribbon. This is almost certainly an error, as the amplifier circuit in the RT1 would have some effect on the microphone’s response.

The RT1 was discontinued in 2010.

The SE Electronics RT1 is also known as: RT-1.

The mic was released in 2006.

Specifications

Frequency Response - BidirectionalClick Graph to Compare!
RT1 Bidirectional Frequency Response Chart
Pickup Patterns Pads & Filters
Bidirectional (8 mV/Pa; 20 - 15,000 Hz)
Ribbon Construction Impedance SPL/Noise
1.8-micron aluminum ribbon 300 Ohms (Low) Max SPL: 130 dB
Weight Length Max Diameter Interface(s)
n/a n/a n/a
  • 3-pin XLR male (1)
Power Specifications
  • Includes tube power supply

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