Royer Labs R-122 MKII 25th Anniversary Active Ribbon Microphone

The R-122 MKII 25th Anniversary model celebrates the R-122's legacy with a limited edition run of eighty R-122s crafted in Royer's custom "Distressed Rose" finish. The Distressed Rose plating gives a variety of looks, from a dark bourbon color in lower studio lighting and onstage to a rich rose color in brighter light. The 25th Anniversary R-122 MKII is 100% original except for this once-in-a-lifetime 25th Anniversary finish.

The Royer R-122 was the world's first phantom-powered ribbon mic, delivering all of the warm, smooth performance of a world-class ribbon mic at a previously impossible sensitivity level. Its 2002 debut was explosive and the R-122 became Royer's most popular mic behind the flagship R-121. In 2015, Royer updated the R-122 MKII with a high-pass filter and 15dB pad, making it Royer Labs' single most versatile ribbon microphone.

The R-122 MKII is recommended for drum overheads and rooms, electric and acoustic guitars, brass, piano, violin, cello, ukulele, and any other acoustic stringed instrument, percussion, vocals, and countless other applications. When less low-end or proximity effect is desired, the high pass switch is perfectly balanced, set at 100 Hz and rolling off 6dB per octave. On high SPL applications like electric guitars and brass, the 15dB pad lowers the R-122 MKII output to R-121 level, helping you maintain a clean signal path with no unwanted distortion.

Whether you plan to use it every day or keep it safe as a collectible, the R-122 Distressed… read more Rose will be one of the most unique-looking, best-sounding mics you'll ever own!

- The Pad:
The R-122 MKll's switchable -15 dB pad is positioned before the microphone's electronics and, when engaged, eliminates any potential for headroom-related distortion on even the loudest sound sources. Wide-open electric guitars are no problem. With the pad in, the R-122 MKll's output is actually 2 dB lower than Royer Labs' flagship R-121.

The R-122 MKll's well-designed pad has no sonic imprint. Once levels are matched, the R-122 MKll reproduces sound exactly the same with the pad in as with the pad out.

- The Bass Cut:
When switched in, the R-122 MKll's bass cut starts filtering at 100 Hz, 6 dB per octave, effectively reducing the mic's bass buildup due to proximity effect. This smooth filter is extremely useful on vocals, many acoustic instruments, and close-miked electric guitars when less bottom end is desired.

The R-122 MKll's electronics are hand-wired in Royer Labs' Burbank, CA factory. The microphone utilizes a special Royer-designed toroidal transformer that delivers a faster transient response than traditional ribbons, making it a first call ribbon mic for drum overheads, percussion, and all acoustic instruments.

- Gain:
Conventional ribbon microphones need high-quality, high-gain microphone preamplifiers to record softer sound sources. The R-122 MKll's output level is much higher, allowing you to use practically any mic preamplifier or board pre's to record even the quietest sounds. The R-122 MKll contains a fully balanced, hand-wired, discrete head amplifier system utilizing a specially wound toroidal transformer and ultra-low noise FET's. This system is extremely quiet and brings the R-122 MKll's sensitivity to 37 dB, all while allowing for high SPL recording! Go ahead and plug a MKll into any preamp with average gain - you'll get full Royer performance and enough level to drive any recording medium.

There is no increase in self-noise in the R-122 MKll's higher sensitivity. All of the mic's additional output comes from its large, specially wound toroidal transformer - that wonderful thing called "free gain." The phantom-powered circuitry provides impedance conversion only, adding no noise of its own.

- Impedance Matching:
The R-122 MK's active electronics put a perfect load on the ribbon element at all times, allowing the microphone to deliver its full sonic potential regardless of the input characteristics of the following pre. Due to its low-impedance output, R-122's can be used on extremely long cable runs with minimal signal loss. In addition, the ribbon element can't be damaged by phantom power, miswired cables or electrical glitches.

- Patented Offset Ribbon Technology:
The R-122's proprietary offset ribbon transducer (Patent # 6,434,252) positions the ribbon element closer to the front (logo) side of the microphone. This configuration gives the ribbon more room to move within the prime magnetic field while maintaining full frequency response during high SPL recordings. It's an integral piece of the magic of all Royer R-series microphones.

Features:

- Phantom powered circuitry provides high output and impedance matching
- 15 dB pad before the mic's electronics gives more headroom when activated.
- Bass cut filter reduces proximity effect and bass below 100 Hz when activated
- High SPL Capabilities
- No distortion up to maximum SPL rating
- Extremely low residual noise
- Ribbon element is not affected by heat or humidity
- Absence of high frequency phase distortion
- Equal sensitivity from front or back of element
- Consistent frequency response regardless of distance
- Rear side of mic records slightly brighter when three feet or closer to sound source

Applications:

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

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