After unboxing the Royer R-121 Studio Ribbon Microphone; there were a few inquisitive looks due to its size compared with other ribbon mics.
Features
- High SPL Capabilities
- No internal active electronics to overload or produce distortion up to the 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 the front or back of the element
- Consistent frequency response regardless of distance
Image source: Royer Labs
All ears
The first impressions of recording quality from a female vocalist, guitarist and a violinist were positive. We especially loved the crisp, clear and dynamic sound it played back. The tone was right and there was zero interference or feedback. We have used ribbon microphones previously but this one seemed different.
The usual approach from a “ribbon” design is clunky, cumbersome, fragile and overweight. The Royer 121 Studio has been radically re-engineered and will set our engineers into ribbon mic fans all over again.
The R-121 is lightweight, those who have been put off ribbon mics because of their features should try the R-121 because this being made portable it still maintains its crisp, eloquent sound.
Classic ribbon mics are still used by studios across the world and the Royer 121 Studio Ribbon Microphone maintains the output quality levels that challenge any of the best ribbons we have used previously.
In use
One of the strong features of the mic is its resilience to harsh sound. High treble cheap electric guitar? No problem. Cranked up rock riffs? No problem. Thumping drum solos with focus on hi-hat? The R-121 soaks it all up and portrays the sound without a hitch.
We even tested a singer/songwriter female vocalist with a folk/ blues voice with plenty of harsh upper-mids. Previous mics have struggled to smooth out those upper-mid tones but the R-121 bossed it and translated the sound well.
It was the guitarists in the studio who sang its praises the highest. We fed through one of our preamps and it responded with a warm tone through our correctly positioned studio monitors and an emotional response through the listeners.
Thoroughly impressed faces all around, the Royer R-121 Studio Ribbon Microphone should be a byword in studios worldwide.
Browse around our website for more detailed information on our online mixing and mastering service. We offer a variety of different mix options as well as customized selections so you can specify exactly what you need for your tracks.
Give life to your music with MixButton!