Royer Labs first came on the scene in 1998 with the R-121 passive ribbon mic. At the time, there were few manufacturers still making ribbons, and vintage models were fragile and bulky. Royer’s mic was a game-changer; with the ability to combine the warm, natural tone of vintage ribbons with better durability and a higher output, it quickly became a standard. Today, you can find them in countless studios around the world, from Abbey Road to Blackbird. The R-121 ushered in a revival of the ribbon microphone, and to many it represents the pinnacle of the genre. The new Royer R-101 ($799.99 street) provides an option for studios with tighter budgets to purchase a high-end ribbon mic that has similar specs without sacrificing quality or performance. The R-101 incorporates many of the same features that made the flagship R-121 so innovative. A mono passive ribbon mic with a figure-8 polar pattern, it promises to have the same warm, natural tone that made it’s predecessor such a popular choice for electric guitars, horns and brass. Royer’s patented offset-ribbon transducer places the ribbon element closer to the front of the mic’s body, allowing for full frequency response even at high SPL’s (max. […]... Click on the title for more