Royer Labs has introduced its newest lively ribbon microphone, the Royer Labs R-12. It’s designed so that you can use for studio recordings in addition to for stay sound functions.
What’s a ribbon microphone?
A ribbon microphone makes use of a skinny piece of steel ribbon suspended inside a powerful magnetic discipline to choose up sound. As sound hits the steel ribbon, it vibrates, and this motion within the magnetic discipline generates a corresponding electrical voltage. This course of additionally creates a heat sound, which is considered very pure sounding. Royer Labs says that the R-12 is good for capturing devices the best way they sound on the supply.
R-12 ribbon aspect
The Royer Labs R-12 ribbon microphone options the identical 2.5-micron direct-corrugated ribbon aspect as used within the firm’s industry-standard R-121 mannequin. In consequence, the R-12 can deal with extraordinarily excessive sound stress ranges (SPLs) of as much as 160 dB at 1 kHz.
The microphone has a switchable -15dB pad. Which means that you might have wonderful headroom for recording louder sources corresponding to drums and electrical guitars.
Phantom-power
The Royer Labs R-12 is an lively ribbon microphone. Which means that it is advisable provide it with energy. The R-12 options Royer’s proprietary onboard phantom-powered electronics circuitry. It additionally makes use of what the corporate calls a “beefed-up transformer.”
Royer Labs says that this delivers condenser microphone output ranges for recording vocals, acoustic devices, and different quieter sound sources. As well as, the R-12’s lively electronics additionally place an ideal load on the ribbon aspect always. In consequence, the microphone offers you its full sonic potential, no matter preamp or DAW you utilize.
Picture courtesy: Royer Labs
Different options
The Royer Labs R-12 ribbon microphone includes a switchable high-pass filter. That is exactly tuned to cut back low-end proximity buildup and rumble. In consequence, the R-12 is nice for capturing vocal performances, or close-miking devices and loudspeaker cupboards. And the R-12 has an internally shock-mounted ribbon transducer. This helps to isolate and defend the ribbon aspect and likewise reduces dealing with noise. There’s a built-in triple-layer wind display screen system to guard towards plosives and different wind-related noise as properly.
John Jennings, President of Royer Labs, stated, “The R-12 is a fantastically designed ribbon mic, delivering world-class efficiency at a killer value. It has roots in our non-powered R-10 ribbon mic, which is in studios world wide and has been on Dave Grohl’s insanely sizzling stay guitar cabs for years, and it comprises lively ribbon mic circuitry based mostly on what we use in rather more costly Royer fashions. It’s an especially versatile ribbon mic that we’re proud to launch now”.
What we expect
You possibly can’t ship an incredible video with out having nice sound, and also you want a very good microphone to seize nice sound. The R-12 is the newest in a protracted line of high-quality microphones from Royer Labs. It’s preferrred for capturing studio performances, making certain that each devices and vocals sound heat and pure. If you happen to movie musical and vocal performances, the Royer Labs R-12 might take your audio to the following stage. Simply remember to use wind safety in case you are working outside. A powerful gust of wind might doubtlessly stretch or tear the ribbon, damaging your mic.
Pricing and availability
The Royer Labs R-12 Ribbon Microphone and mic mount are available a hard-shell case. It retails at $899, or you possibly can choose up a matched pair for $1,849. Royer Labs says the R-12 must be transport by the tip of July 2025.
