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Royer R-122 MKII Active Ribbon Microphone

Active Ribbon Microphone with 15dB Pad and Bass Roll-off Switch
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Royer R-122 MKII Active Ribbon Microphone

Royer has enhanced one of their most popular ribbon mics with the R-122 MKII active ribbon microphone. This version packs the same impressive output and flexibility as the original R-122, with the addition of a 15dB pad and a bass roll-off switch. Now you can record even the loudest sound sources without worrying about overload and distortion. And you can use the R-122 MKII's proximity effect to your advantage while also cutting out mud and rumble with the switchable filter. Sweetwater has always been impressed with Royer ribbon microphones, and the enhancements in the R-122 MKII active ribbon microphone make it an amazing solution for any stage or studio task.

NEWS: Royer Labs has been given a GRAMMY award for their outstanding ribbon mics! In the words of the Academy, these mics "were revolutionary and moved the art of recording forward."

Phantom-powered ribbon mic, more sensitive than any other ribbon

The R-122 MKII is a compact, monaural, phantom powered ribbon microphone. Sonically similar to Royer's R-121, the R-122 MKII exhibits a flat frequency response and a well balanced panoramic sound field, but it is 13dB 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 MKII'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 MKII 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 20dB 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 MKII contains a fully balanced, discrete head amplifier system utilizing ultra-low noise FET's. Go ahead and plug an R-122 MKII into any preamplifier with average gain characteristics - you'll get full Royer performance regardless of how quiet the sound source is, 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 MKII provide a perfect load on the ribbon element at all times, meaning that the R-122 MKII is able to deliver 100% of its full sonic potential regardless of the input characteristics of the following mic-pre. Due to the low-impedance output, Royer's active ribbon 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 MKII, 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 MKII 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 MKII, coupled with its sophisticated active electronics system, enable the R-122 MKII 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 MKII'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).

Royer R-122 MKII Active Ribbon Microphone Features:

  • Active electronics provide high output capability, optimal impedance
  • Switchable 15dB pad and bass roll-off for maximum recording flexibility
  • 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
  • Requires +48V phantom power

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Tech Specs

  • Microphone Type: Ribbon
  • Ribbon Type: 2.5-micron Aluminum
  • Mono/Stereo: Mono
  • Polar Pattern: Figure-8
  • Frequency Response: 30Hz-15kHz
  • Max SPL: 135dB
  • Pads: 15dB
  • Output Impedance: 200 ohms
  • Connector: XLR
  • Power Source: 48V phantom power
  • Dimensions: 8.1" x 1"
  • Weight: 0.68 lbs.
  • Included Accessories: Wooden Box
  • Manufacturer Part Number: R-122 MKll

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Customer Reviews

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Rated 5/5

Royer R-122

I started using this mic to do commentary on my jazz radio show. It totally blew me away! It adds a lot of warmth to my voice with just a minimal amount of compression and EQ. I had also tried the TLM 103 but the Royer completely outperformed it. 100% satisfied!!
Music background: Trained as a musician.
Rated 5/5

Classic Ribbon Sound with Condenser Levels

The R-122 is one of my favorite mic's ever. It has that classic ribbon sound thats buttery smooth on guitar cabs and really softens the transients on drums. It's one of those mic's that will sound great on almost anything. I love having an active ribbon in the studio too - levels compare to a condenser so you don't have to crank the mic pre and potentially add more noise.
Music background: Engineer
Rated 5/5

Great mic for brass!

I've played with quite a few mics, and a lot of expensive ones as well, but I was surprised at how well the R122 MKII captured my sound. Trombone, and brass in general, doesn't often get the warm part of the sound recorded while also having the edge, and this captured both. I haven't used it on anything other than brass at this point, but yeah, go to mic for that now!
Music background: Trombone player
Rated 5/5

Just Amazing

Seriously, this may be best guitar and ukulele mic I've ever heard. I used to use Neumann KM-84s in the past, but this mic is even smoother AND, if you flip it around to the back side, it's faster on the transients. I've been using it on old Martin guitars, ukes, acoustic slide and tipple. Bass tip up is very controllable with distance from your source or use the hi pass filter.
My thanks to Aric Brenner for his patience with my retentive decision-making plus the advice and knowledge that he shared with me.
Music background: Producer/Engineer
Rated 5/5

Very Versatile and Natural

First off, I have to say the customer service from both Sweetwater and Royer has been second to none. I had some issues with the ribbon on my 122 that occurred during its journey back home after gearfest, and it was resolved VERY quickly by some of the friendliest people in the industry. The mic itself is very well built, and sounds amazing. I use it mostly on Violin and acoustic guitar, and its reproduction is just so very natural and rich. Normally with condenser mic's I have found the top end on violins very harsh, but with the 122, its just right. It sounds like it does in the room. Unhyped and real. I havn't had to use the pad on it much, but when i do its very useful for guitar cab's and brass. I have a fairly decent microphone collection and this is one of my go-to mics without a doubt.
Music background: Audio Engineering Student

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What Do Our In-house Gear Experts Think?

Jesse Nguyen

As a recording engineer, ribbon microphones hold a special place in my heart. They're known for their uniquely warm character and natural recreation of sound, and the Royer R-122 takes these advantages to the next level. I'm a classical violinist and condenser mics tend to make me sound shrill and very exposed, but the Royer made my recordings sound the way I thought I should sound. I was also surprised to find out how much more durable the R-122 is than other ribbon mics, and was stunned at the sound of this mic paired with an SM57 to mic up a guitar cabinet. This truly is a recording workhorse that I will go to for every one of my recording sessions in the future!

When Royer Labs got their Technical Grammy in 2013, they couldn't wait to come to Sweetwater to show it off. One thing they impressed on us was how much our amazing relationship helped to get the word out about their products. Of course, getting the word out about their amazing ribbon mics was easy - we've never regretted recommending them. In fact, it wouldn't be immodest to say that Royer was one of the biggest forces behind the ribbon mic's recent return to popularity. In addition to providing greater clarity and transparency to the classic ribbon sound, Royer's designs dramatically reduced the bulk and weight of these mics. That's made it easy for the engineers at Sweetwater Studios to use Royer ribbons for close-miking amps and getting deep into drum kits and acoustic pianos. We absolutely love them, and we're sure you will too.

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