The Royer R-122 MkII is a welcome improvement to the original design of this first-class mic, the very first phantom-powered ribbon. The addition of a -15dB pad and switchable bass rolloff make this workhorse even more useful for use with screaming loud guitar amps captured from point-blank range. Smooth as butter and as durable as a Sherman tank, the Royer R-122 MkII sets a new standard for what a ribbon microphone can do and how it can sound.