Crowley Tripp Proscenium User manual
Introduction
Thank you for choosing the Proscenium Microphone. This product has been engineered and built using all original components
needed for the performance expected in demanding studio environments. We care about the Proscenium, and believe it will provide
you with a versatile recording capability. Like any ne instrument, reasonable care will result in long service.
Each microphone is built in our lab by people dedicated to excellence. Hugh Tripp has personally machined parts, and Bob Crowley
has personally tested every ribbon motor, transformer, and nished unit.
Please contact us if you have any questions or comments about the Proscenium. We take research, design, and development as
seriously as customer service.
Bob Crowley Hugh Tripp
About the Proscenium
The Proscenium is a traditional response ribbon microphone designed for classical music applications. It has a warm sound
reminiscent of vintage ribbon designs, but with a modern design and increased ef ciency. Ideal where traditional ribbon warmth is
desired, particularly effective in classical music applications and in concert halls. It is a bi-directional, full size ribbon microphone
housed in a durable stainless steel casing. It is an ef cient instrument that delivers high output levels while maintaining a low noise
oor. The gure eight polar pattern of the Proscenium transducer enables you to capture the subtleties of performances in concert
halls, large rooms, and houses of worship. The Proscenium truly shines in Blumlein and various stereo arrays.
The internal transducer is designed to tailor bass response without attenuating the overall output. This produces a frequency response
that sounds full in the low and midrange. Utilizing an impedance-matched ribbon assembly, the microphone achieves an accurate
high range response, ideal for capturing fast transients in vocals, acoustic instruments, and in concert halls.
The Proscenium ribbon microphone incorporates a matched, full size transformer that minimizes signal loss and maximizes output.
The transformer is rigidly mounted to eliminate resonance and tighten bass response. It is also oriented 90° to the long axis of the
microphone, and is double shielded, to further reduce magnetic and radio frequency interference.
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Proscenium:
Features at a glance
§ Traditional warm ribbon response
§ Figure eight polar pattern
§ High output microphone designed for classical music applications and as stereo pairs in concert halls
§ All new design with innovative motor unit and a rugged stainless steel housing
§ Transformer and ribbon motor rigidly joined for lowest noise, highest output and smoothest bass
§ Professional level electrostatic and magnetic shielding
§ Symmetric frequency response minimizes off axis coloration
§ Specications microphone compiled by an independent laboratory
§ Hand built in the U.S.A. by people who understand the art of transducer engineering, tuning, and performance
Never blow directly into any microphone. Inform performers of this precaution.
Amplication
The Proscenium is a low noise microphone. The combination of its efcient transducer, robust shielding, and full size transformer
give the microphone a low noise oor and output level equal to moving coil (dynamic) microphones. Certain ribbon designs have
weaker magnets and less shielding, and require up to 30 dB of additional gain for optimum performance. This is not the case with the
Proscenium. Most professional level preampliers with normal gain and high input impedance are well suited for the Proscenium.
The Proscenium, like all ribbon microphones, performs optimally with the least amount of loading on the ribbon element as practical.
The higher the impedance input on the microphone, the better the low end and mid range frequencies are represented in the output
signal. We recommend using preamps with impedance settings of 1000 Ohms or more. Contact us if you would like specic preamp
recommendations.
The Proscenium is quite natural sounding and does not require coloration at the preamp stage for optimal performance. Preamps that
provide simple, transparent gain usually provide the best results. However, you may prefer a more colored sound, and we encourage
you to experiment to nd the right combination that suits your taste.
The Proscenium is an acoustically driven ribbon microphone, which means that no power supply is required for its operation. +48
Volt phantom power will not burst the ribbon element, but over time, exposure to phantom power and switching transients will affect
the overall output of the system. Therefore, disable this function when using the Proscenium.
The Proximity Effect
The proximity effect is an acoustic phenomenon that can be very useful in creative recording. Bass response increases as a function of
microphone distance from the sound source. In a nutshell, the closer the microphone is to the sound source, the higher the bass response
will be.
An understanding of the proximity effect enables the user to ne tune bass response. Appropriate placement of the microphone differs
from application to application, and as with any microphone, the best way to hit the sweet spot for your application is to experiment with
different distances and angles from the sound source while listening.
Weak, thin vocals can be signicantly enhanced by reducing distance, and other instruments can be fattened, if desired. For vocals
closer than about 8”, a pop screen is recommended.
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Care and Handling
The Proscenium is a precision instrument. It should be treated carefully to ensure reliable results during each session. To protect your
Proscenium microphone, keep a few simple precautions in mind to ensure long term performance:
1. The Proscenium should be stored in its protective case when it is not in use. Leaving the microphone lying around will expose the
ribbon element to dust and other airborne particles that can adhere to the inner assembly and decrease performance. This advice
stands for all high quality studio microphones!
2. Never blow into any microphone to test it. We know you are already aware of this rule. Inform set-up crew, gaffers, vocalists, other
performers, and visitors, before tracking.
3. When setting up the Proscenium, maintain a reasonable distance from uorescent lights, power transformers, and other strong
electromagnetic sources to avoid hum.
4. This is a full size microphone that weighs 1.35 lbs/ .61 Kg. Use a secure mount and stand and a good quality balanced, shielded XLR
connecting cable.
Technical Specications
Transducer Type – Velocity Ribbon
Housing Material – Stainless Steel
Characteristic Z @ 1Khz – 200 Ohms
Typical Load Z – 1000 Ohms
Polar Pattern – Figure 8, symmetrical
Frequency Range – 30 Hz – 15,000 Hz
Maximum SPL – 126 dB
Sensitivity – -50 dB @ 1 Khz
Weight – 1.35 lbs / .61 Kg
Dimensions – 6” H, 2” W,
Pin 2 High
“It would be possible to describe everything scientically, but it would make no sense; it would be without meaning, as if you described
a Beethoven symphony as a variation of wave pressure.”
-Albert Einstein
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Also Available from Crowley & Tripp
Studio Vocalist – Full size ribbon microphone with smooth rising response. Highest output of any natural ribbon microphone.
Enhanced proximity effect for fattening weak vocals and other thin sources. Designed for a wide range of studio applications from
vocals to amplier cabinets.
Soundstage Image - Natural response ribbon microphone tailored for radio broadcast, soundstage, orchestral, and other applications
requiring an uncolored sound. Great for ambient recording and excellent stereo imaging in pairs for accurate distant applications.
SPLx - Our most robust ribbon microphone, capable of handling high sound pressure levels. Designed for rugged studio applications
where close placement of the microphone is necessary to achieve the desired sound. Also for conditions where traditional ribbon
microphones would be considered too delicate, with only a modest tradeoff in output.
We are able custom build microphones to suit your specic recording needs. Please contact the lab to discuss features, specications,
and pricing.
Limited Lifetime Warranty
The Proscenium microphone
Serial Number____________
Is warranted to be free of defects in materials and workmanship. This warranty extends to the original purchaser and is recorded by
lling out and sending the warranty registration card supplied with each new unit. This warranty does not cover damage resulting from
accident, misuse or causes outside the control of Soundwave Research Laboratories.
Notice: This device is patent pending. The artistic design of the Proscenium microphone, labeling and packaging are copyright 2005,
Soundwave Research Laboratories, Inc.
Feedback
Contact us if you have any question, comment or issue with the Proscenium microphone. We will do what we can to help you
successfully use this instrument for your recording needs. We are musicians and engineers too, and would like to hear your Proscenium
recordings! Audio samples and user feedback are important for new product development.
Contact
Soundwave Research Laboratories, Inc.
72 Nickerson Rd.
Ashland, MA 01721
U.S.A.
508 231 4515 Telephone
508 231 1023 Fax
www.soundwaveresearch.com
“Sound With A Purpose” sm
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