Royer R-122 MKII Active Ribbon Microphone Reviews
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.
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Highest Rated Reviews
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!!
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.
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!
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.
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.
Very nice!!
Nothing to complain about here! This mic is very natural and smooth. No hype on any frequency scale at all....just naturally really accurate. I pair this up sometimes with my U87ai on vox to bring in that natural warmth and low end to mix with the smooth highs of the U87. No eq needed at that point!
Buy it!
