The Royer R-122V is a vacuum tube ribbon microphone and the top model in Royer's R-Series. It puts tube electronics behind the same offset-ribbon transducer used in the R-121 and R-122 MKII, which gives it high output, plenty of headroom and a rich, detailed midrange. It runs from its own dedicated power supply and suits orchestral and string recording, piano and harp, vocals and voice-over, as well as electric guitar, brass and drum overheads.

Tube Electronics

The head amplifier uses a low-noise, military-grade 5840 tube wired as a triode cathode follower. It keeps an ideal load on the ribbon, so gain and impedance matching to the preamp stop being a concern, and it drives long cable runs without losing high frequencies. A Jensen transformer isolates the fully balanced output to keep induced noise out. The extra output comes from a large toroidal transformer and adds no noise, with self-noise under 18 dB. Royer designed the circuit to avoid the usual tube coloration.

Power Supply

The dedicated supply sends the tube's operating voltages through a 7-pin cable, and the audio leaves the supply on a standard 3-pin XLR. It ramps power up slowly to reduce stress on the tube, and Royer recommends letting the mic warm up for at least 15 minutes before recording. The supply switches between mains settings from 100 to 240 V AC.

Features

• Vacuum tube ribbon microphone with a figure-8 pattern
• JAN mil-spec 5840W tube wired in triode configuration
• Jensen output transformer with fully balanced output
• Self-noise under 18 dB
• Handles more than 160 dB SPL at 1 kHz
• Dedicated power supply, selectable from 100 to 240 V AC
• Patented offset ribbon with a slightly brighter back side at three feet and closer
• Very low magnetic leakage
• Ribbon element unaffected by load, heat or humidity
• Consistent frequency response regardless of distance

Specifications

• Operating principle: Electrodynamic pressure gradient with vacuum tube electronics
• Vacuum tube: JAN mil-spec 5840W pentode, wired in triode configuration
• 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: -36 dB (re. 1 V/Pa, ±1 dB)
• Self-noise: Under 18 dB
• Output impedance: 200 ohms, balanced
• Rated load impedance: 1,000 ohms
• Maximum SPL: More than 160 dB at 1 kHz, more than 135 dB at 20 Hz
• Power requirements: Plate supply 135 V DC at 2 mA, filament supply 6 V DC at 150 mA, from the dedicated power supply
• Power supply mains: 100 to 240 V AC, selectable
• Dimensions: 206 mm long, 25 mm wide (8 1/8 x 1 in)
• Microphone weight: 300 g
• Power supply weight: 1.6 kg (3.5 lb)
• Shipping weight: 7 kg (15.5 lb)
• Finish: Satin nickel

In the Box

• Royer R-122V tube ribbon microphone
• Dedicated power supply
• Locking 7-pin microphone cable, 25 ft
• AC power cord
• Protective wood case
• Mic sock
• Shock mount
• Camera-style carrying case