Royer R-122 Mk2 Matched Pair

Description:

• The Royer Labs R-122 MKII Active Ribbon Microphone (Nickel, Matched Pair) combines phantom-powered active electronics with founder David Royers innovative ribbon microphone design to deliver natural, transparent sound across a wide range of recording applications. Ideal for electric and acoustic guitars, electric and acoustic bass, drum overheads, brass, percussion, piano strings, woodwinds, Foley, and more, the R-122 MKII excels in both studio and live environments.
• Based on the classic R-121 ribbon microphone, the R-122 MKII offers a faster transient response and a larger audio transformer, resulting in more open high frequencies and a tighter, more focused low-end response.
• The MKII version of the original R-122 (introduced in 2002) adds a -15 dB pad and a switchable bass-cut filter. Both switches are fully removed from the signal path when disengaged and are recessed to prevent accidental activation. The -15 dB pad, positioned ahead of the active electronics, eliminates headroom-related distortion when capturing extremely loud sources without introducing any sonic coloration.
• The bass-cut filter begins at 100 Hz with a 6 dB-per-octave slope, effectively reducing low-frequency buildup caused by proximity effect. This smooth, musical filter is particularly useful for vocals, acoustic instruments, and close-miked electric guitar cabinets when reduced low-end response is desired.
• The R-122 MKII features active electronics that are hand-wired in Burbank, California, and incorporate a specially designed toroidal transformer that delivers faster transient response than traditional ribbon microphones. This design makes the microphone exceptionally well suited for drum overheads, percussion, and acoustic instruments.
• A fully balanced, hand-wired discrete head amplifier system combines the custom toroidal transformer with ultra-low-noise FETs to achieve a sensitivity of -36 dB, while still accommodating high-SPL recording without introducing self-noise. The phantom-powered circuitry also provides impedance conversion, ensuring reliable performance with a wide variety of microphone preamplifiers.
• Royers proprietary offset ribbon transducer positions the ribbon element closer to the front (logo) side of the microphone, allowing greater ribbon excursion within the primary magnetic field while maintaining a full and accurate frequency response during high-SPL recordings.

Features:

• Phantom-Powered Circuitry
• High Output, Impedance Matching
• -15 dB Pad
• High SPL Capabilities
• No Distortion up to Maximum SPL Rating
• Low Residual Noise
• Ribbon Not Affected by Heat or Humidity
• No High-Frequency Phase Distortion
• Equal Front and Back Sensitivity
• Rear/Side Records Brighter within 3′

Applications:

• Electric Guitar Amps
• Acoustic Guitar
• Drum Overheads
• Percussion Instruments
• Brass and Woodwinds
• Horn Sections
• Acoustic Piano
• Acoustic Guitar
• Harp
• Solo Strings and String Sections
• Choirs and Orchestras
• Commercial Broadcast
• Voice Over

Specs:

• Microphone Type: Ribbon
• Polar Pattern: Figure-8
• Element Type: Ribbon
• Controls: Pad, Low Cut/HPF
• Frequency Response: 30 Hz to 15 kHz 3 dB
• Maximum SPL: 135 dB (at 30 Hz)
• Analog Output: 1x XLR 3-Pin Male
• Power Sources: Phantom Power