Golden Age R1 ST: True Stereo Ribbon Capture in One Body

The Golden Age Audio R1 ST is a stereo ribbon microphone, housing two ribbon elements in a single body. It captures a lifelike left-right image from one stand position, delivering the warm, natural tone of a classic ribbon in full stereo. Rather than setting up and matching two separate microphones, an engineer gets a coincident stereo pair that is already aligned and ready. For anyone chasing convincing room, ensemble, or drum imagery, it turns a complex setup into a single microphone.

Golden Age R1 ST: Two Ribbons in One Housing

Inside the body sit two independent ribbon sections, each a thin strip of 2-micron aluminum suspended in its own magnetic motor. The two elements are mounted one above the other and angled so their pickup zones cross, a coincident arrangement that keeps both channels perfectly time-aligned. Because they share one point in space, the stereo image stays phase-coherent and collapses cleanly to mono when needed. Each ribbon measures roughly 2 inches (50 mm) long for a full, extended tone.

Golden Age R1 ST: The Figure-8 Pattern and Stereo Imaging

Each ribbon hears in a figure-8, or bidirectional, pattern, picking up equally from front and back while rejecting the sides. Crossing two figure-8 capsules produces a wide, accurate stereo field with a stable center and natural depth. The strong side rejection also controls unwanted spill, letting the microphone focus on the sources in front of and behind it. The upper element can be rotated relative to the lower one to widen or narrow the stereo spread.

Golden Age R1 ST: The Coincident Stereo Technique

This crossed-figure-8 setup is a coincident stereo technique long prized for its realism and mono compatibility. Because both ribbons occupy the same spot, there are no timing differences between channels, so the recording sounds natural on headphones, speakers, or a single mono system alike. Engineers reach for it on drum kits, choirs, string sections, and rooms where an honest sense of space matters. The R1 ST builds that entire technique into one instrument.

Golden Age R1 ST: Warm, Smooth Passive Ribbon Tone

Tonally, the R1 ST is pure passive ribbon: warm, smooth, and forgiving. Its response spans 30 Hz to 18 kHz with the gentle top-end roll-off that keeps cymbals and bright instruments from turning harsh. Because it is passive, it uses no electronics or power and relies on internal transformers to feed a standard microphone input. That simplicity gives it a rich, organic character across both channels.

Golden Age R1 ST: Built to Handle Loud Sources

Despite its delicacy, the microphone is no fragile flower. Each ribbon handles up to 160 dB SPL before 1 percent distortion, so it can sit over a hard-hitting drum kit or in front of a loud ensemble without stress. The low-mass ribbons keep transients fast and detailed even at high volume. That headroom makes it as useful for rock drums as for a gentle acoustic trio.

Golden Age R1 ST: Simple Two-Channel Connection

Connection is straightforward once the wiring is clear. A single detachable cable carries both channels from the microphone to an included breakout box, which splits the signal into two standard 3-pin XLR outputs, one for the left channel and one for the right. Feed each into its own preamp channel and pan them hard left and right for the full stereo image. The kit also includes a shock mount plus hard and soft cases for isolation and transport.

Golden Age R1 ST: Where It Shines

The R1 ST excels wherever space and realism matter: drum overheads and room, orchestral and string sections, choirs and group vocals, acoustic ensembles, and piano. It captures the natural width of a live room in a single take, saving setup time on location. Used on a single instrument, it can also deliver a rich, enveloping, mono-compatible image. Either way, the result is warm, three-dimensional sound.

Golden Age R1 ST: Who It Is For

For the project studio that wants professional stereo capture without owning matched pairs, the R1 ST is a shortcut to a polished, spacious recording. For the seasoned engineer, it is a fast, dependable coincident ribbon for sessions on the move. It arrives complete with breakout box, shock mount, and cases, ready to mount and record. When realism and warmth are the goal, this stereo ribbon delivers both in a single pass.