recordinghacks

Miktek R99

Bidirectional Ribbon Microphone

The R99 is a ribbon microphone with a unique, patent-pending switching circuit that detects phantom power and automatically enables appropriate active balancing circuitry.

This is the second active/passive switchable ribbon mic we’ve seen, but the two microphones in question follow different design goals: the first mic, Cascade’s Fathead II Active/Passive, has an internal switch that can be engaged to enable an amplifier circuit, providing a gain boost that makes the mic more suitable for quiet acoustic sources. In contrast, the R99 has no switch; phantom power is automatically detected (and indicated by a blue LED within the grille). Further, the R99 does not have higher sensitivity in “active” mode. The active electronics are described as creating a “more modern” tone from the ribbon, presumably due to the way the ribbon is loaded. More details are forthcoming.

The R99’s ribbon is made from corrugated aluminum (sourced from Japan). The motor uses Neodymium (rare earth) magnets. This motor assembly is shockmounted within the R99’s body. The step-up transformer is built in the US by AMI (which provides transformers for all other Miktek products).

As of January, 2013, the R99’s circuitry is being refined; the mic is expected to begin shipping in the second quarter of 2013.

Permalink: Miktek R99

The mic was released in 2012.

Specifications

Pickup Patterns	Pads & Filters
Bidirectional (n/a mV/Pa; n/a)

Ribbon Construction	Impedance	SPL/Noise
Length: 45mm Width: 4.5mm Gauge: 2.5 microns	n/a

Weight	Length	Max Diameter	Interface(s)
n/a	n/a	n/a

Power Specifications

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