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Stager Microphones SR-1A

Bidirectional Ribbon Microphone

The SR-1A is the original flagship microphone from Stager Microphones of Nashville, TN. It is a passive ribbon microphone based on an unbranded vintage ribbon microphone given to Matt Stager by his brother. Matt took the original mic and fixed the broken ribbon before deciding to build his own version.

As with most ribbon mics, the SR-1A features a bidirectional (figure-8) polar pattern. The pickup pattern is symmetrical, unlike some modern ribbon mics with an offset ribbon. The ribbon and its motors are made in-house with a custom corrugating machine; the ribbon itself measures 2 inches long by 0.2 inches wide with a thickness of 1.8 microns. Frequency response for the SR-1A is unpublished but the manufacturer suggests a rich, vintage-textured low end with a high-frequency roll-off beginning at about 7kHz.

The SR-1A sports two large custom AlNiCo magnets and a custom toroidal transformer designed and built by Matt Stager, both of which contribute to its hefty 2.2kg weight. Stager also presses his own grilles, does the powdercoating and performs all wiring and assembly. The metalwork is done in the US by a machinist friend and the custom wood boxes are made in-house.

The XLR connection is on the rear of the mic body and the mic attaches to a stand at the base of a squared-off yoke, similar to the vintage RCA 44 series of mics.

Most technical specifications are not provided by the manufacturer.

The SR-1A ships in a foam-lined wooden box. Stager offers a lifetime re-ribboning service.

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The mic was released in 2011.

Specifications

Pickup Patterns	Pads & Filters
Bidirectional (Unpublished)

Ribbon Construction	Impedance	SPL/Noise
Length: 51mm Width: 5.1mm Gauge: 1.8 microns	100 Ohms (Low)

Weight	Length	Max Diameter	Interface(s)
2200g (77.60oz)	180mm (7.09'')	n/a	3-pin XLR male (1)

Power Specifications

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