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Golden Age Project R1 Active MKIII Ribbon Microphone

Active Ribbon Mic with Figure-8 polar pattern, FET Buffer Amp, 10dB Pad and Highpass Filter
$229.00

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Golden Age Project R1 Active MKIII Ribbon Microphone
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Value-packed Active Ribbon Mic

The Golden Age R1 Active MKIII gives you the velvety warmth of a ribbon mic together with the stability of a FET (Field Effect Transistor) buffer amp that lets you use the mic with longer cable runs and virtually any preamp that has phantom power. The R1 Active MKIII delivers a clear, punchy sound with life-like realism that's ideal for capturing the power and nuance of instruments and vocals.

A robust modern mic with classic ribbon sound

Golden Age R1 Active MKIII delivers a classic ribbon sound with smooth highs and extended low end. Its fast transient response makes it a great choice for drums, acoustic and electric guitar, and piano. And with its high sensitivity (for a ribbon), it's awesome for capturing sensitive vocal performances. With its budget-friendly price tag, a pair of these versatile ribbons is perfect for stereo applications such as drum overheads. Unlike vintage ribbons, the R1 Active MKIII features ultra-high 160dB SPL handling (plus a 10dB pad) — which means you can use it on the loudest sources without trepidation. In light of its robust low-end response, the mic is suitably equipped with a highpass filter that lets you roll off rumble and other unwanted low frequencies. All considered, the Golden Age R1 Active MKIII is an incredible value. It's the ribbon mic you've been waiting for. Pick up a pair from Sweetwater today!

The Golden Age Project

The Golden Age Project was founded in 2005 on the belief that vintage gear sounds best, and the desire to pass on this sonic legacy to a new generation of musicians, engineers, and producers. All discrete, Class A signal paths with no integrated circuits; the use of transformers, stepped controls, and military-grade build quality: these are the cornerstones of the legendary British equipment deployed in world-class recording and broadcast studios in the 1970s — the Golden Age of analog. Fat, warm, punchy, and authoritative; this is the sound heard on countless hits for nigh unto half a century. Locating, purchasing, restoring, and maintaining vintage gear is time-consuming and costly. Fortunately, this small, family-owned Swedish company makes gear the same way it was made back in the day — at an amazingly gentle price.

A distributor of high-end studio equipment for many years, Golden Age Project founder Bo Medin wanted to be able to offer products with much of the same exclusive sound in a price range that made them available to a larger audience. Inspired by original designs, Golden Age uses modern technology to re-create that lush, opulent sound, making it surprisingly affordable. They use some modern ingenuity to add new functionality to superb classic designs and produce them in a cost-effective way which allows them to be both optimized and affordable. From outboard equipment to condenser, dynamic, and ribbon mics; you can outfit your entire studio with vintage-inspired Golden Age gear without exceeding your budget.

Golden Age R1 Active MKIII Ribbon Microphone Features:

  • FET buffer amp lets you use the mic with longer cable runs and any preamp with phantom power
  • Classic ribbon sound with smooth highs and extended low end
  • Clear and punchy, with fast transients and life-like realism
  • Ideal for capturing instruments and vocals
  • Figure-8 polar pattern with wide sweet spots front and rear; excellent side rejection
  • Ultra-high 160dB SPL capability
  • High sensitivity, similar to many condenser mics
  • Highpass filter
  • 10dB pad

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Tech Specs

  • Microphone Type: Active Ribbon
  • Ribbon Type: 2-micron Aluminum
  • Mono/Stereo: Mono
  • Polar Pattern: Figure-8
  • Frequency Response: 30Hz-18kHz (±3dB)
  • Max SPL: 160dB SPL (1kHz at <1% THD)
  • Output Impedance: 200 ohms
  • Self Noise: 18dB (A weighted)
  • Sensitivity: -42 dBV/Pa
  • Connector: XLR
  • Power Source: 48V phantom power
  • Weight: 0.99 lbs.
  • Manufacturer Part Number: R1 ACTIVE MK3

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Customer Reviews

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Rated 5/5

MK111 Ribbon mic

Great ribbon mic at a GREAT price. Will be getting another. Golden Age is making some quality gear at very affordable prices. Running this mic thru GA Pre73 MK111 and the GA EQ-81 (then compressing thru the Lindell Lin76). Perfect on vocals and acoustic guitar. If you are considering this mic, just do it. Easy dealing with Sweetwater--as always.
Music background: singer/songwriter
Rated 5/5

Pretty Sweet Ribbon MIc

First off I order two of because I want to do some stereo recording with them. Secondly I'd like to thank my sales rep. Perry Davis for always taking care of my orders. It took less than a day to receive these mics. That was a bonus. They came out of Sweetwater's AZ site, shipped to California. Thank you Sweetwater for that.
These mics were bigger than I thought they'd be. They are on the heavy side but in a good way because of the high quality. The -10db pad works very well and so does the Low Cut Shelve. It captured my acoustic guitar with a nice full sound, especially when the low cut was used. It took away the low end mud. Same with my vocals. I can't wait to try them on drums as overheads. I'll update in a few months......
Thanks again to Perry Davis
Andy Tullis
3 Dog Recording Studio
Music background: I've been playing guitar for about 45 years. Recently I seriously drove into writing, recording, mixing and prodution I'm the owner of my Studio 3 Dog Recording Studio. I Have been nominated for the last 4 years in different music categories through the J
Rated 5/5

Good budget Ribbon

Being a very amateur recording hobbyist, I hadn't ever used a Ribbon mic, let alone ribbons from the likes of AEA and Royer. Nevertheless, based on what I've read and heard online, the Mark 3 seems like a good introduction to the "Ribbon" sound. Being used to cheap and bright condensers (or perhaps more graciously cheap & cheerful as the British say), the R1 Active by comparison sounds quite dull on instruments like piano and acoustic guitar. But it does tame the high end of cheap and shrill violins and it also gives a kind of warm and smooth sound to vocals.
While attached to a mic stand, because of the heavy weight and human error, the mic fell and hit the ground. It has a nice dent on the top. However, I don't notice any change in sound. Still works fine!
Being a relatively cheap mic, some aspects of the body and metal have a slightly "budget" look to them, but it's been solid so far and has been a great introduction for me to the "ribbon" sound. Just be careful with stands because it is heavy and may tip over if you're not careful.
Music background: Music Teacher, Recording Amateur
Rated 5/5

Mid Side Delight!

I now have this mic 90 degrees off axis above my Origin Large Diaphram mic and in mid - side mode these two mics sound so great when recording my Epiphone Inspired by Gibson J-45. I then took it to the next level and use this config recording ambient sounds while miking my Yamaha Mini Amp with the Royer R1 and SM57.

Example recording on these sounds at switchingyard and the first song that I used this config is called "Red Dinger".
Rated 5/5

Excellent mic!

I wanted another mic option for my small home studio, and WOW! The sound is natural, beautiful, and highly detailed. It captures my vocals with a warmth and presence better than any of my condensers, which can sometimes sound harsh. Definitely one of the best bang-for-your-buck deals I have found at Sweetwater in a long time.
Music background: Many moons make music
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