Royer Labs has introduced its newest energetic 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 metallic ribbon suspended inside a robust magnetic area to select up sound. As sound hits the metallic ribbon, it vibrates, and this motion within the magnetic area 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 right for capturing devices the best way they sound on the supply.
R-12 ribbon ingredient
The Royer Labs R-12 ribbon microphone options the identical 2.5-micron direct-corrugated ribbon ingredient as used within the firm’s industry-standard R-121 mannequin. Because of this, the R-12 can deal with extraordinarily excessive sound strain ranges (SPLs) of as much as 160 dB at 1 kHz.
The microphone has a switchable -15dB pad. Which means you will have glorious headroom for recording louder sources corresponding to drums and electrical guitars.
Phantom-power
The Royer Labs R-12 is an energetic ribbon microphone. Which means it’s essential 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 energetic electronics additionally place an ideal load on the ribbon ingredient always. Because of this, 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 scale back low-end proximity buildup and rumble. Because of this, 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 ingredient and likewise reduces dealing with noise. There’s a built-in triple-layer wind display system to guard in opposition to plosives and different wind-related noise as effectively.
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 around the globe and has been on Dave Grohl’s insanely scorching stay guitar cabs for years, and it accommodates energetic ribbon mic circuitry primarily based on what we use in way more costly Royer fashions. It’s an especially versatile ribbon mic that we’re proud to launch now”.
What we predict
You possibly can’t ship an amazing video with out having nice sound, and also you want a great microphone to seize nice sound. The R-12 is the most recent in an extended line of high-quality microphones from Royer Labs. It’s supreme for capturing studio performances, guaranteeing that each devices and vocals sound heat and pure. In the event you movie musical and vocal performances, the Royer Labs R-12 may take your audio to the following degree. Simply be sure you use wind safety if you’re working outside. A powerful gust of wind may 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 ought to be transport by the top of July 2025.
