Royer Labs R-121 Ribbon Microphone, from Royer

Acoustic Operating Principle: Electrodynamic pressure gradient

Polar Pattern: Figure-8

Generating Element: 2.5-micron aluminum ribbon

Magnets: Rare Earth Neodymium

Frequency Response: 30 -15,000 Hz +/- 3dB

Sensitivity: > -53 dBv Re. 1v/pa

Output Impedance: 300 Ohms @ 1K (nominal), 200 Ohms optional.

Rated Load Impedance: >1500 Ohms @ 300 Ohms, >1000 Ohms @ 200 Ohms.

Maximum SPL: >135dB

Output Connector: Male XLR 3 pin (Pin 2 Hot).

Dimensions: 58mm L, 25mm W (6.13" L, 1" W).

Weight: 244g (8.6 oz )

Finish: Dull Satin Nickel/Matte Black Chrome optional

The R-121 is the world's first radically redesigned ribbon microphone and Royer's flagship product. Like most ribbons, the R-121's pattern is figure 8, its sensitivity is roughly equal to a good dynamic mic, and it exhibits a warm, realistic tone and flat frequency response (see R-121 Frequency Response). But when it became time to design, we threw out the molds and took a fresh approach to ribbons using advanced materials and cutting edge construction techniques. Today the R-121 completely redefines ribbon microphones, leading Recording Magazine to say "the Royer R-121 is destined to become one of the classic microphones of the 21st century". It's a sleek, light, extremely versatile microphone that is easy to use, wonderfully musical, and sturdy enough for us to give it a lifetime warrantee!

Recording With The R-121

An R-121 hears things the way your ears hear them. Many microphones are effects in a way; some add top end sizzle (like many condenser mics), some push the mids and roll off everything else, some respond to nothing but low end. They all serve a purpose and have their place in recording and live work. But if you've ever heard that incredible guitar, melodic trumpet, sweet flute, deep kick drum, (pick your sound), and found that getting that sound to tape or hard drive was impossible, you owe it to yourself to try a Royer ribbon. On playback you'll notice that the recorded sound is natural and alive, with a panoramic, ambient feel much like what you heard when you were standing in front of the instruments you recorded.

An R-121's response is flat and well balanced; low end is deep and full without getting boomy, mids are well defined and realistic, and the high end response is sweet and natural sounding, never edgy or sibilant.

Recording LOUD!

Need to record at insane levels? No problem! The R-121's maximum SPL rating is >135dB and it can take that all day long. In practical terms, that means you can put your R-121 directly in front of a souped up mega-watts Marshall and turn it up to 11 (see what Pro Audio Review had to say about this) without microphone distortion or doing any damage to the ribbon. We don't recommend trying this with other ribbon mics, but the R-121 can take it, no sweat.

2 Mics In One

At distances of two feet and closer, the back of the R-121 is brighter than the front side. The difference in the sound is somewhat like blending 10% of a condenser mic in with your ribbon mic signal. This can be extremely useful when you record acoustic guitars, vocals, and other sound sources that you may want to hear a little more top end on.

Features

High SPL Capabilities
No internal active electronics to overload or produce distortion up to maximum SPL rating
Extremely low residual noise
Ribbon element is not affected by heat or humidity
Absence of high frequency phase distortion
Equal sensitivity from front or back of element
Consistent frequency response regardless of distance
Field replaceable ribbon transducer

Recommended Applications

Close miking
Electric Guitar
Overhead Drum miking
Percussion Instruments
Brass Instruments - Horn Sections
Woodwind Instruments
Acoustic Piano, Acoustic Guitar, Harp, etc.
Choirs and Orchestras
String Sections
Commercial Broadcast
Voice Over