A bi-directional ribbon mic with warm tone and a companion signal booster.
The Royer R-121 Ribbon Microphone & dBooster Combo comes with a great mic and what you need to boost its signal without adding noise. Here's what you get:
Royer R-121 Ribbon Microphone
The R-121 is Royer's flagship microphone and the world's first radically redesigned ribbon microphone. Royer did away with the large, heavy, fragile, "classic" approach to ribbon microphones and went in a completely new direction. The R-121 gives all of the warm, natural tonal response for which top engineers have always loved ribbon mics, but in a compact, lightweight, higher output, tough-as-nails package that was unheard of in a ribbon mic before the Royer R-121.
Like many of the best-loved classic ribbon mics, the R-121 has a figure-8 pattern, sensitivity in the dynamic mic range, and a warm, realistic tone and flat frequency response. But that's where the similarities end. By using advanced materials and a blend of cutting edge and old-school hand-build construction techniques, the R-121 is a far more versatile and user-friendly ribbon mic that can stand up to the most demanding tasks, including live stage use. It's built solid enough for Royer to give it a lifetime warranty. The R-121 redefined ribbon microphones so thoroughly that Recording magazine wrote "...the Royer R-121 is destined to become one of the classic microphones of the 21st century".
Patented Offset Ribbon Technology
The R-121's proprietary offset ribbon transducer (Patent Number: 6,434,252) is the first of its kind, positioning the ribbon element closer to the front (logo) side of the microphone. This arrangement gives the ribbon more room to move within the prime magnetic field while maintaining full frequency response during high SPL recordings. It's an integral piece of the magic of all Royer R-series microphones.
Recording With The R-121
Tonally, the Royer R-121 microphone hears things the way your ears hear them. Most microphones add their own characteristics to your recordings; some have a hyped high- and low-end response with scooped out mids; some are super sizzly in the highs; some accent midrange and give very little upper- and lower-end frequency response; and 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 something brilliant ” an unbelievable electric guitar, an inspiring trumpet, a sweet flute, an amazing kit ” and found that getting that sound to tape or hard drive was impossible, you owe it to yourself to try a Royer ribbon. The R-121's response is flat and well balanced; low end is deep and full without being boomy; mids are well defined and realistic; and the high-end response is sweet and natural sounding, never edgy or sibilant.
On playback you'll find the sound is natural and alive, with a panoramic, ambient feel much like what you heard when you were standing in the room with the instruments(s) you were recording.
Recording LOUD
Need to record at insane levels? No problem! The R-121's maximum SPL rating is 135dB at 20Hz and it can handle that for years. In practical terms, that means you can put your R-121 directly in front of a souped up 100-watt Marshall and open it up without microphone distortion or damage to the ribbon. Royer doesn't recommend trying this with other ribbon mics, but the R-121 was built to take it.
Two Mics In One
At distances of three feet and closer, the back of the Royer R-121 records slightly brighter than the front side. This can be extremely useful when recording acoustic guitars, vocals, and other sound sources that you may need a slightly brighter response on.
Royer dBooster In-Line Signal Booster
Royer R-121 Ribbon Microphone
The R-121 is Royer's flagship microphone and the world's first radically redesigned ribbon microphone. Royer did away with the large, heavy, fragile, "classic" approach to ribbon microphones and went in a completely new direction. The R-121 gives all of the warm, natural tonal response for which top engineers have always loved ribbon mics, but in a compact, lightweight, higher output, tough-as-nails package that was unheard of in a ribbon mic before the Royer R-121.
Like many of the best-loved classic ribbon mics, the R-121 has a figure-8 pattern, sensitivity in the dynamic mic range, and a warm, realistic tone and flat frequency response. But that's where the similarities end. By using advanced materials and a blend of cutting edge and old-school hand-build construction techniques, the R-121 is a far more versatile and user-friendly ribbon mic that can stand up to the most demanding tasks, including live stage use. It's built solid enough for Royer to give it a lifetime warranty. The R-121 redefined ribbon microphones so thoroughly that Recording magazine wrote "...the Royer R-121 is destined to become one of the classic microphones of the 21st century".
Patented Offset Ribbon Technology
The R-121's proprietary offset ribbon transducer (Patent Number: 6,434,252) is the first of its kind, positioning the ribbon element closer to the front (logo) side of the microphone. This arrangement gives the ribbon more room to move within the prime magnetic field while maintaining full frequency response during high SPL recordings. It's an integral piece of the magic of all Royer R-series microphones.
Recording With The R-121
Tonally, the Royer R-121 microphone hears things the way your ears hear them. Most microphones add their own characteristics to your recordings; some have a hyped high- and low-end response with scooped out mids; some are super sizzly in the highs; some accent midrange and give very little upper- and lower-end frequency response; and 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 something brilliant ” an unbelievable electric guitar, an inspiring trumpet, a sweet flute, an amazing kit ” and found that getting that sound to tape or hard drive was impossible, you owe it to yourself to try a Royer ribbon. The R-121's response is flat and well balanced; low end is deep and full without being boomy; mids are well defined and realistic; and the high-end response is sweet and natural sounding, never edgy or sibilant.
On playback you'll find the sound is natural and alive, with a panoramic, ambient feel much like what you heard when you were standing in the room with the instruments(s) you were recording.
Recording LOUD
Need to record at insane levels? No problem! The R-121's maximum SPL rating is 135dB at 20Hz and it can handle that for years. In practical terms, that means you can put your R-121 directly in front of a souped up 100-watt Marshall and open it up without microphone distortion or damage to the ribbon. Royer doesn't recommend trying this with other ribbon mics, but the R-121 was built to take it.
Two Mics In One
At distances of three feet and closer, the back of the Royer R-121 records slightly brighter than the front side. This can be extremely useful when recording acoustic guitars, vocals, and other sound sources that you may need a slightly brighter response on.
Royer dBooster In-Line Signal Booster
The Royer model R-DB20 is a phantom-powered ribbon and dynamic microphone signal booster and impedance buffer. It increases the level of passive low-output ribbon and dynamic microphones with a minimum of distortion or coloration. Designed for professional applications, the dBooster provides two levels of clean gain boost; 12dB and 20dB, selectable by a front panel switch. The dBooster maintains headroom and gain regardless of load. The Class A input circuitry presents a high source impedance to the microphone, which minimizes loading (damping). This reduces coloration and distortion while at the same time improving headroom. By utilizing the 12/20dB gain switch, optimum balance between gain and headroom can be achieved for a variety of uses. The low-impedance output of the dBooster is an increased microphone-level signal that can drive a digital interface directly or a standard microphone preamplifier. It also minimizes signal loss on long cable runs.
Specifications
Royer R-121 Ribbon Microphone
- 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: -50 dBv Re. 1v/pa
- Output Impedance: 300 Ohms @ 1K (nominal)
- Rated Load Impedance: >1500 Ohms @ 300 Ohms
- Maximum SPL: >135dB @ 20 Hz
- 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
Features
Royer R-121 Ribbon Microphone
- 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
- Safe for use on all ribbon mics
- Increases headroom at the preamp
- Provides true electrical isolation
- Protects ribbon mics from phantom-power
- Minimizes mic loading
- 12dB and 20dB gain stages
- High input impedance
- Low output impedance
- Rugged case construction
- Ultra-low noise performance
- Ultra-low distortion
- Wide frequency bandwidth