Royer R-122
Phantom-Powered Active Ribbon Microphone


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ItemID: R122   Retail Price: $1,895.00
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R-122 DESCRIPTION
 
A Phantom-Powered Ribbon Mic for High Gain and Stellar Sound!
The R-122 is the world's first phantom powered ribbon microphone, delivering all of the warm, very natural tone of Royer's R-121 ribbon mic, but with 15 dB more Gain and Impedance Matching circuitry that allows the ribbon to operate at its full potential regardless of the preamplifier you plug it into!

Royer R-122 Ribbon Microphone at a Glance:
  • Phantom-powered ribbon mic, more sensitive than any other ribbon
  • Output similar to condenser mics due to active electronics
  • Impedance matching circuitry optimizes mic with any preamp
  • Pure aluminum ribbon with outstanding frequency response
  • Offset ribbon design handles high SPLs

Phantom-powered ribbon mic, more sensitive than any other ribbon
The R-122 is a compact, monaural, phantom powered ribbon microphone - the first ribbon microphone of its kind. Sonically similar to Royer's R-121, the R-122 exhibits a flat frequency response and a well balanced panoramic sound field, but it is 13 dB more sensitive, its transient response is faster and its electronics provide an optimum load to the ribbon element at all times. Like the R-121, the R-122's ability to withstand high SPLs makes it ideal for applications that were previously considered off limits to ribbon microphones.

Output similar to condenser mics due to active electronics
The R-122 is as sensitive as condenser microphones, allowing you to use practically any mic preamplifier or board preamp (even those of nominal characteristics). Conventional ribbon microphones are, on average, 15 to 20 dB less sensitive than condenser mics, necessitating the use of high-quality, high-gain microphone preamplifiers for recording softer sound sources like acoustic instruments, vocals and room ambience. The R-122 contains a fully balanced, discrete head amplifier systems utilizing ultra-low noise FET's. Go ahead and plug an R-122 into any preamplifier with average gain characteristics - you'll get full Royer performance regardless of how quiet the sound source, and you'll have enough gain to drive any recording medium.

Impedance matching circuitry optimizes mic with any preamp
The electronics in the R-122 provide a perfect load on the ribbon element at all times, meaning that R-122's are able to deliver 100% of their full sonic potential regardless of the input characteristics of the following mic-pre. Due to the low-impedance output, Active Series mics can also be used with extremely long cable runs with minimal signal loss.

A good impedance match is critical with ribbon microphones because impedance mis-matching "loads" a ribbon improperly, resulting in loss of low end, diminished body, lowered sensitivity and overall compromised performance. With the R-122, the ribbon element lives in a perfect world; it sees an optimum impedance match at all times regardless of the following equipment, so its performance will never be compromised by the effects of improper loading. In addition, the ribbon element can't be damaged by phantom power, electrical glitches or mis-wired cables.

Pure aluminum ribbon with outstanding frequency response
The R-122 utilizes a low mass, 2.5-micron, pure (99.99%) aluminum ribbon element. The R-122's unique, patented offset-ribbon transducer assembly incorporates rare earth Neodymium magnets in a specially designed flux frame, which forms a powerful magnetic field while reducing unwanted stray magnetic radiation. The smooth frequency response and phase linearity of the R-122, coupled with its sophisticated active electronics system, enable the R-122 to deliver a consistent natural acoustic performance with stunning realism. Frequency response is excellent regardless of the angle of sound striking the ribbon, and off-axis coloration is negligible.

Offset ribbon design handles high SPLs
The R-122's offset-ribbon design positions the ribbon element toward the front of the microphone body, which allows for high SPL handling on the front side and the option of a slightly brighter response when recording lower SPL sound sources on the back side (3 feet and closer; phase reversed in this position).

Gain
The R-122 is as sensitive as condenser microphones, allowing you to use practically any mic preamplifier or board preamp (even those of nominal characteristics). Conventional ribbon microphones are, on average, 15 to 20 dB less sensitive than condenser mics, necessitating the use of high-quality, high-gain microphone preamplifiers for recording softer sound sources like acoustic instruments, vocals and room ambience. The R-122 contains a fully balanced, discrete head amplifier systems utilizing ultra-low noise FET's. Go ahead and plug an R-122 into any preamplifier with average gain characteristics - you'll get full Royer performance regardless of how quiet the sound source, and you'll have enough gain to drive any recording medium.

Impedance Matching
The electronics in the R-122 provide a perfect load on the ribbon element at all times, meaning that R-122's are able to deliver 100% of their full sonic potential regardless of the input characteristics of the following mic-pre. Due to the low-impedance output, Active Series mics can also be used with extremely long cable runs with minimal signal loss.

A good impedance match is critical with ribbon microphones because impedance mis-matching "loads" a ribbon improperly, resulting in loss of low end, diminished body, lowered sensitivity and overall compromised performance. With the R-122, the ribbon element lives in a perfect world; it sees an optimum impedance match at all times regardless of the following equipment, so its performance will never be compromised by the effects of improper loading. In addition, the ribbon element can't be damaged by phantom power, electrical glitches or mis-wired cables.

Royer R-122 Ribbon Microphone Features:
  • Active electronics provide high output capability, optimal impedance to the
  • ribbon element, extremely low self noise and low output impedance
  • Operates on standard 48-volt phantom power
  • High SPL capabilities for electric guitar and percussion instruments
  • Absence of high frequency peaks, "ringing" and phase shifts
  • Ribbon element unaffected by impedance/load, heat or humidity
  • Equal sensitivity from front and back of element
  • Very low magnetic leakage

The Royer R-122 delivers the best of both worlds!

Customer Reviews
 A great, warm Voice-Over mic too!  
by Wayne Scott from Ridgeland, MS, October 03, 2007
Music Background:  VO Guy


“I can now toss my aural exciters! This mic makes any VO project easier as it adds a rich,full and present sound to my work. Just a little added EQ in the 10-15 k range and a tad rolloff on the low end makes it a wonderful mic for voice-over work.”
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Sweetwater Expert Advice
 
  "Royers are amazing on electric and acoustic guitars, unbeatable on horns, and if you flip them backwards you can use the rear side for smooth and articulate vocals!"
Maynard Madsen

  "I have started using ribbon mics more and more ever since I used a Royer R122 on my guitar cabinet. Ribbons bring a new life and detailed sound to everything I've put them in front of. The R122 is my preferred guitar cabinet mic."
Brad Every

  "A good friend of mine and I recorded our Taylor and Martin guitars with a pair of R122s, and the results are phenomenal. When I close my eyes and just listen it feels like I'm right there in the studio sitting in front of the two guitars. It's a great mic not only for guitar cabs, but acoustic guitars as well."
Joe Gilder