sE Electronics X1 R Passive Ribbon Microphone
sE Electronics X1 R Passive Ribbon Microphone - Image 2

sE Electronics X1 R Passive Ribbon Microphone

★★★★★ 4.9 Stars — Over 1,500 Google Reviews

Original price was: $519.00.Current price is: $459.00.

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Free pickup from our Melbourne Store at 4 Drake Boulevard, Altona VIC 3018. Your order will typically be ready by the next business day. We recommend calling us on (03) 8360 7799 beforehand to check it's ready for collection.

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sE Electronics X1 R Passive Ribbon Microphone

Bring the classic, velvety magic of vintage studio tracking into the modern era with a high-performance transducer engineered for the road. The sE Electronics X1 R is a rugged, state-of-the-art passive ribbon microphone that pairs traditional ribbon warmth with advanced mechanical design. While traditional vintage ribbon microphones are notoriously fragile and restricted to pristine studio conditions, the X1 R breaks the mold. It features a tough, road-ready construction capable of handling immense acoustic pressure, making it the perfect choice for tracking roaring guitar cabinets, powerful brass sections, drum overheads, and expressive broadcast voice-overs.

Angkor Music Technical Evaluation: 2-Micron Aluminum Element & HF Extension Technology

The sonic character of the sE X1 R centers on a ultra-thin 2-micron aluminum ribbon suspended within a high-flux array of top-grade **Neodymium magnets**. To overcome the dark, rolled-off top end common to older ribbon designs, sE Electronics integrated specialized mechanical elements derived from their acclaimed VR1 and VR2 high-frequency extension technology. The result is a hybrid layout that delivers a gentle, highly musical high-frequency lift while retaining the smooth, organic transients and rich low-mid body of a classic ribbon. Operating on a true **Figure-8 polar pattern**, the capsule captures identical acoustic signals from the front and rear faces while maintaining absolute rejection at the side null points, allowing for precise room bleed control.

E-E-A-T Studio Integration: High SPL Management & Preamp Matching

At Angkor Music, our studio engineers recommend the X1 R for its exceptional **135dB Max SPL handling**, meaning you can fearlessly place it directly in front of dimed tube guitar amplifiers or heavy-hitting drummers. Passive Gain Engineering Note: Because the X1 R is a passive ribbon design with a **200 Ohm output impedance**, it outputs a lower signal level than standard condenser microphones. For best results, pair it with a clean, high-gain audio interface preamp or an inline booster like an sE Dynamite pre-preamp. Phantom Power Alert: Never apply +48V phantom power to this microphone when using unbalanced cabling or faulty patch bays, as it can permanently damage the delicate aluminum element.

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Technical Specifications

  • Brand: sE Electronics
  • Model: X1 R Ribbon
  • Microphone Typology: Passive Magnetic Ribbon
  • Ribbon Element Composition: 2-Micron Pure Aluminum Ribbon
  • Magnetic Field Architecture: Top-Grade Neodymium Magnet Array
  • Directional Polar Pattern: Figure-8 (Bi-Directional Front & Rear Capture)
  • Frequency Response Window: 20 Hz - 16,000 Hz
  • Maximum Sound Pressure Level (SPL): 135 dB (0.5% THD @ 1kHz)
  • Electrical Output Impedance: 200 Ohms
  • Connectivity Interface: 3-Pin Male XLR Balanced Connector
  • Chassis Engineering: Heavy-Duty Rugged Metal Enclosure
  • Mounting Compatibility: Includes Standard Mic Clip (Compatible with sE Isolation Pack)
  • Microphone Net Weight: 500 grams (1.1 lbs.)

What's In The Box Product Contents

  • Core Transducer: 1 x sE Electronics X1 R Passive Ribbon Microphone
  • Hardware Mount: 1 x Heavy-Duty Secure Microphone Stand Clip
  • Documentation: 1 x sE Electronics User Guide & Factory Care Manual

Key Product Features

  • High-SPL Tour Durability: Handles up to 135dB SPL, making it robust enough to survive loud electric guitar cabinets and brass instruments on the road or in the studio.
  • Gentle High-Frequency Lift: Built-in acoustic mechanical filters provide a subtle presence lift that gives vocals and acoustic strings extra air without harshness.
  • Authentic Figure-8 Pattern: Perfectly captures the direct instrument tone from the front while picking up natural room ambient reflections from the back.
  • Smooth Transient Control: The 2-micron aluminum ribbon design naturally softens harsh digital transients, making it highly musical on overhead drums and sibilant speakers.
  • Flexible Mounting Options: Ships with a form-fitting stand clip, but natively drops into the sE Isolation Pack quick-release shockmount if high-vibration decoupling is required.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does the sE Electronics X1 R require phantom power to operate?
No. The sE X1 R is a completely passive ribbon microphone. It does not require +48V phantom power or batteries. In fact, running phantom power through a faulty or miswired cable, or engaging it on a patch bay, can inject voltage across the ribbon element and stretch or destroy it. Always make sure phantom power is turned OFF on your channel before plugging it in.

How does the high-frequency response of the X1 R compare to premium ribbon mics like the sE VR1 or RNR1?
The X1 R serves as a fantastic, cost-effective entry point into modern ribbon technology. While it doesn't quite match the ultra-extended, near-condenser frequency flat-line found in the sE Voodoo VR series or the flagship Rupert Neve Signature RNR1, its hybrid mechanical filter system provides significantly more high-end clarity and "air" than traditional old-school ribbon designs without sounding brittle.

What are the benefits of a Figure-8 polar pattern when recording at home?
A Figure-8 or bi-directional pattern picks up sound equally from the front and back faces of the microphone, but features absolute acoustic rejection on the sides. In a home studio, you can position the dead side panels toward problematic noise zones (such as a noisy computer fan, street window, or a second instrument) to block out unwanted sound while using the rear side to capture a pleasant room ambience.

Additional information

Weight 0.0000 kg
Type

Dynamic Microphone
connectivity

wired
Connector(s)

XLR 3 Pin
Insturment

Euphonium

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