Royer

Ribbon microphones hand-built in California.

About Royer Labs

Royer Labs builds ribbon microphones by hand at its factory in Burbank, California. David Royer designed his first ribbon mic, the R-121, in 1997, and the company opened in 1998 to build it. In 2002 Royer introduced the R-122, the first phantom-powered active ribbon microphone. The company received a Technical Grammy in 2013.

Mono Ribbon Microphones

The R-121 is Royer's flagship, a passive figure-8 ribbon that handles 160 dB SPL at 1 kHz and is used on electric guitar amps, brass, piano and drum rooms. The R-10 uses the same 2.5-micron ribbon in a compact body for the studio and the stage. The R-12 adds active electronics, a -15 dB pad and a high-pass filter, and runs on 48V phantom power. The R-122 MKII is the phantom-powered version of the R-121, with a pad and a bass cut on the back of the mic. At the top of the line, the R-122V adds a 5840 vacuum tube head amplifier to the same transducer and runs from its own power supply.

Stereo Ribbon Microphones

The SF-12 holds two matched ribbons in one body, one above the other and each aimed 45 degrees from center in the Blumlein configuration. The SF-24 is its phantom-powered version and is 14 dB more sensitive. The SF-24V drives the same pair with two 5840 tube circuits. For classical sessions and acoustic instruments that need a single mic, the SF-2 is a phantom-powered mono ribbon.

Mic Lifters, Mounts and Cables

The dBooster sits between a passive microphone and the preamp. It more than doubles the mic's output, or quadruples it at the press of a button. The dBooster2 has two independent channels, and each one also works as a DI for guitar and bass. Sling-Shock shockmounts hold the microphone without elastic bands or rubber cords. The FlexBar and the AxeMount clip put two microphones on one stand, and the PS-101 pop filter uses louvered metal that deflects air blasts downward while sound passes through. Replacement cable sets and extension cables are available for the SF-12 and SF-24.

Shop Royer at Blackout Audio

The R-10, R-12, R-121, R-122 MKII, R-122V and SF-2 also come as matched pairs, and the R-10, R-121 and R-122 MKII come in bundles with a dBooster or a Sling-Shock. The first re-ribbon on a Royer microphone is free within one year of purchase. Orders over $199 ship free across Canada, and the Blackout Audio team can help you choose a passive, active or tube ribbon for your preamp.