We did away with the large, heavy, fragile “classic” approach to ribbon microphones and went in a completely new direction. Luckily for us, its reviews are almost universally positive as well. Lucky for us, there’s the Avantone Audio CR-14. String Instruments & Sections No more fiddling around with two separate mics. The technical specifications are impressive, especially when compared to the ribbon mics of yesteryear! The Peluso R14 is a great ribbon mic. Now, I know we’ve seen quite a few Royer Mics already…, But for this next pick, I’d like to share just ONE MORE…, Recognizing that ribbon mics are extremely popular for stereo recording…. Extremely low residual noise The Royer 121 is ALWAYS my goto mic other than a dynamic (57 or 402) - words cant really describe what it offers, dynamics pick up a lot of the mid/uppermids, and the royer does the … Like most ribbons, the Royer R-121 Live's pattern is figure 8, its … Kick Drum For your first introduction to ribbon mics…I highly recommend it. Dimensions: 155.7mm L, 25mm W (6.13" L, 1" W) Weight: 244g (8.6 oz) Finish: Dull Satin Nickel/Matte Black Chrome optional, Home Recording - Royer Labs R-121 Ribbon microphone - A Mic For All Seasons by David Darlington, Vintage Guitar - R-121 Ribbon Microphone by Steve Patt, Tape Op - R-121 Ribbon Microphone  by Steve Albini, Sound on Sound - Funky Ribbon - Royer R-121 Studio Ribbon Microphoneby Hugh Robjohns, Electronic Musician - Electronic Musician - Editors Choice Award January 2000, Microphone (ribbon), Recording Magazine - Royer R-121 Ribbon Microphone - What Went Around Has Come Around Again by DaviMoulton, Pro Audio Review - Royer R-121 Ribbon Microphone by Russ Long, Electronic Musician - Royer Labs R-121 - A New Ribbon Mic Ups The Ante On A Classic Design by Myles Boisen, © 2020 Royer Labs • 2711 Empire Ave., Burbank CA, 91504 • 818.847.0121, Recording on the back of the R-series microphone. But for someone who has never even used a ribbon mic before…that’s a tough sell, isn’t it? Each mic is positioned at 90 degrees relative to the other, making it perfect for either Blumlein Pair or M/S stereo recording. The microphone utilizes a special Royer-designed toroidal transformer that delivers a faster transient response then traditional ribbons, making it a first call ribbon mic for drum overheads, percussion and all acoustic instruments. Gain Conventional ribbon microphones need high-quality, high-gain microphone preamplifiers to record softer sound sources. Listen to More Samples in the Audio/Video Library, High SPL Capabilities Standard Delivery Times. With the SF-12, you just plug and play. The one-of-a-kind Royer SF-12 is actually a combination of TWO mics housed within a single body! We expect you to own it for as long as you record, and we’ll stand behind it the whole way. Like most ribbon mics, it has a standard figure-8 polar pattern, which for vocals, can work especially well for singing duets. As a bonus…when you combine it with the similar Beyerdynamic M130, you have the perfect pair of ribbon mics for M/S recording. 1v/pa Magnets: Rare Earth Neodymium It’s an integral piece of the magic of all Royer R-series microphones. The Royer R-121 Live is a live-sound specific version of the radically redesigned ribbon microphone and Royer's flagship product, the R-121. No internal active electronics to overload or produce distortion up to maximum SPL rating Ribbon Mic Shootout: AEA N22 vs Royer R-121 on Guitar, Drums … Woodwinds Output Impedance: 300 Ohms @ 1K (nominal) Royer Labs R-121. The AEAR84‘s “pill-like” capsule design, closely resembles that of a large diaphragm condenser. AEA R84. The R-122 MKll’s output level is much higher, allowing … Equal sensitivity from front or back of element If these mics are too pricey for you, here’s one you’ll like better: Ribbon mics are DAMN expensive. Available immediately. The R-121 redefined ribbon microphones so completely that Recording Magazine wrote: “…the Royer R-121 is destined to become one of the classic microphones of the 21st century.” Like many of the best classic ribbon mics, the R-121 … If you can afford it, there’s no ribbon mic I recommend more than this one. Like many of the best classic ribbon mics, the R-121 has a figure-8 pattern, output level comparable to a dynamic mic, and a warm, realistic tone and flat frequency response. This arrangement gives the ribbon more room to move within the prime magnetic field while maintaining full frequency response during high SPL recordings. Back when Royer Labs first built the Royer 122, it was the FIRST EVER ribbon mic with active electronics. Royer went ahead and created a revolutionary new mic design to make it even easier for us. Output Connector: Male XLR 3 pin (Pin 2 Hot) Rated Load Impedance: >1500 Ohms @ 300 Ohms Released in 1998, the award-winning R-121 is our flagship microphone; the world’s first radically reengineered ribbon microphone and the model that reintroduced ribbon mics to engineers around the world. I had a Royer 121 and after getting the Peluso I sold the Royer. The Audio-Technica AT4081 and AT4080 are also great sounding ribbon mics, and both are priced less then the Royer 121… I actually do not like the i5 with 121 … In any versatile collection of ribbon mics…this one is a MUST-HAVE. I have and use a Fathead II (Active/Passive), a Royer 121, an Audix i5, a Shure SM57 and a Telefunken M81. You should also check out the Royer 122 – (Amazon/B&H/GuitarC/MusicianF/Thomann) which is the newer active version of the 121. Choirs & Orchestras We build the R-121 solid enough to give it a lifetime warranty. Absence of high frequency phase distortion As it turns out…one of the only mics commonly sold as a matched pair is the Royer 101’s. It’s an especially popular microphone for vocals…despite being intended more a multi-purpose mic. Maximum SPL: >135dB @ 20 Hz The R-121’s proprietary offset ribbon transducer (Patent # 6,434,252) is the first of its kind, positioning the ribbon element closer to the front (logo) side of the microphone. It is perhaps the ONE and ONLY ribbon mic offering a hypercardioid design…making it the only viable option for dozens of recording situations unsuitable to any other ribbon mic on the market. Surprisingly, there are VERY FEW alternatives. Those are pretty much my choices when recording guitar cabinet. Sensitivity: -47 dBv Re. The problem is…the active ones are even more expensive than the passive ones. Ribbon element is not affected by heat or humidity Royer Labs SM-21 … It would be for recording electric guitar, blending with a 57 mic. Feeling tired of the same old condenser mics? Up next on the list, we have not ONE, but TWO mics…, If you’re already familiar with figure-8 mics, then you know…. Commercial Broadcast, Acoustic Operating Principle: Electrodynamic pressure gradient Belonging to a special subcategory known as “large ribbon mics“… The AEAR84‘s “pill-like” … By using advanced materials and a blend of cutting edge and old-school, hand-build construction techniques, the R-121 is an extremely versatile and user-friendly ribbon mic that can stand up to the most demanding tasks. The quoted frequency response is flat within around ±2dB from 30Hz to 15kHz, although these figures rather do the mic a disservice. Patented Offset Ribbon Technology The R-121 redefined ribbon microphones so completely that Recording Magazine wrote: “…the Royer R-121 is destined to become one of the classic microphones of the 21st century.”. The review model had a burnished-satin nickel finish although a matt-black chrome alternative is also available. Most are $1000 and up. Acoustic Piano Because it’s undoubtably the most famous ribbon mic on the planet. But I suppose, since its a Royer…one option is really all we need, huh? This item is in stock and can be dispatched immediately. Consistent frequency response regardless of distance, Electric Guitar Amps Soon after, ribbon mics became the cool new thing among many microphone connoisseurs. If a reliable, great sounding mic, with a classic vintage look is what you’re after, I highly recommend it. To perform this technique, you need not ONE, but TWO figure-8 mics, angled at 90 degrees from each other. £1,211 Add to Basket: 15% bought beyerdynamic M160: £411: 14% bought the t.bone RB 500: £88: 7% bought the t.bone RB 100: £61: 7% bought Royer Labs R-10: £489: Our most popular Ribbon Microphones: Related Products. Recently they were honored with a Technical Grammy Award in 2013, for their amazing contributions to the recording industry over the past several decades. Belonging to a special subcategory known as “large ribbon mics“…. Frequency Response: 30 -15,000 Hz +/- 3dB Luckily for us, Beyerdynamic M160 is here to save the day. Available immediately. Among the small handful of ribbon mics in the under $500 category, it’s the only one that boasts nearly all positive reviews.