Royer R-121 Ribbon Microphone with RSM-SS1 Sling-Shock Mount (Satin Nickel)

The Royer R-121 is the passive ribbon microphone that put modern ribbons back in studios in the 1990s, and it is still a first-call mic for electric guitar amps. Its 2.5-micron aluminum ribbon gives a warm, natural figure-8 pickup and takes more than 160 dB SPL at 1 kHz, so it works on loud amps, brass and drum rooms as well as on fingerpicked acoustic guitar, harp and flute. This bundle adds the RSM-SS1 Sling-Shock, the shock mount Royer recommends for the R-121.

Two Sounds in One Mic

Royer's patented offset-ribbon transducer sets the ribbon closer to the front (logo) side of the body. Under high SPL the ribbon has room to move backward and stay in the strongest part of the magnetic field, so loud sources keep their full frequency response. The back side records brighter at close range, which suits softer sources such as acoustic instruments and vocals. Royer suggests flipping polarity at the preamp or in your DAW when you record on the back side.

The RSM-SS1 Sling-Shock

The Sling-Shock suspends the mic on non-resonant nylon cord and damped steel springs, with no rubber parts to stretch or wear out. It cuts the rumble and low-level noise that travel up a mic stand, and it adds none of the self-resonance a conventional shock mount can produce on close-miked guitar cabinets. A clip on the mount holds the mic cable, which keeps cable vibration out of the recording.

Features

• Passive figure-8 ribbon microphone with a 2.5-micron aluminum ribbon
• Handles more than 160 dB SPL at 1 kHz
• No internal electronics to overload or distort up to the maximum SPL rating
• Patented offset ribbon with a brighter back side at close range
• Low residual noise
• Ribbon element unaffected by heat or humidity
• Equal sensitivity from the front and back of the ribbon
• Consistent frequency response regardless of distance
• Gold-plated XLR contacts
• Hand built in Burbank, California
• RSM-SS1 Sling-Shock with nylon cord and damped steel spring suspension
• Felt-lined mic chamber with a knurled lock-down knob
• Built-in cable clip on the shock mount

Specifications

• Operating principle: Electrodynamic pressure gradient
• Polar pattern: Figure-8
• Generating element: 2.5-micron aluminum ribbon
• Magnets: Rare earth neodymium
• Frequency response: 30 Hz to 15 kHz, ±3 dB
• Sensitivity: -47 dBV (re. 1 V/Pa)
• Output impedance: 300 ohms at 1 kHz (nominal)
• Rated load impedance: More than 1,500 ohms
• Maximum SPL: More than 160 dB at 1 kHz, more than 135 dB at 20 Hz
• Output connector: 3-pin male XLR, pin 2 hot
• Dimensions: 155.7 mm long, 25 mm wide (6.13 x 1 in)
• Weight: 244 g (8.6 oz)
• Finish: Satin nickel
• Shock mount: Royer RSM-SS1 Sling-Shock
• Shock mount fit: Royer R-121, R-122 MKII, R-122V and SF-12, or any cylindrical mic about 1 in (±1/8 in) in diameter
• Shock mount size: About 4 x 4 x 4 in, 7 oz
• Stand thread: 5/8 x 27, solid brass
• Shock mount finish: Matte black powder coat

In the Box

• Royer R-121 ribbon microphone
• Protective wood case
• Mic sock
• Royer RSM-SS1 Sling-Shock shock mount