Description
Royer Labs R-121L Live Ribbon Microphone
The R-121 Live is a ruggedized version of our popular R-121 ribbon microphone. The studio R-121 is tough and has been used on the road for years, but the increased durability of the R-121 Live gives FOH engineers greater confidence in the ribbon standing up to the rigors of the road.
The R-121 Live’s output level is comparable to a dynamic mic, and it delivers the warm, realistic tone that only a ribbon mic can. Along with its smooth, natural response, the R-121 Live virtually eliminates the shrill high-end often associated with live guitars and brass. Push up the faders and there’s the instrument in all its fullness and natural glory, minus the peaky highs that FOH and Monitor engineers spend so much of their careers fighting.
The R-121 Live is visually differentiated by its red logo. The ribbon element thickness is increased from 2.5 microns to 4 microns, giving the microphone greater durability and a slightly reduced high-end response. Highs are often rolled off in live performances, but due to the R-121 Live’s exceptionally smooth high-frequency response, it needs far less eq’ing than is usually required with condenser and dynamic microphones.
The R-121 Live is backed with Royer’s lifetime warranty to the original owner, and the first re-ribbon is free. We expect it to work as hard as you do, so we stand behind it the whole way. As with any high-end microphone, proper storage during transit and careful handling during setup and breakdown is key to keeping the microphone in good working order.
Figure 8’s On Stage
The R-121 Live’s pickup pattern is in figure 8, which can be used to control stage bleed with great effect. Side rejection in the null points is strong – position the mic’s “ears” to face the offending instrument(s) and the bleed will be virtually eliminated. The top and bottom of the microphone are also null points. If monitors are in close proximity to the rear side of the microphone, a positioning adjustment can place the monitor’s output in the mic’s null, isolating the monitor from the mic’s pickup areas.
Patented Offset Ribbon Technology
The R-121 Live’s proprietary offset ribbon transducer (Patent # 6,434,252) is the first of its kind, positioning the ribbon element closer to the front (logo) side of the microphone. This arrangement gives the ribbon more room to move within the prime magnetic field while maintaining full frequency response on high SPL applications. It’s an integral piece of the magic of all Royer R-series microphones.
The Sound
We’ve always said Royers “hear like your ears.” Put one up and you’ll know what we mean.
The R-121 accurately reproduces what you hear at the sound source. Most microphones add their own characteristics – they all serve a purpose and have their place on stage. But if your goal is to capture something the way it really sounds – that ripping electric guitar, that wailing trumpet, that complete kit – and you’ve found that reproducing that sound was next to impossible, put up some Royer Live Series mics and get ready. The R-121’s response is flat and well balanced, with a deep, non-boomy low end, well-defined and realistic mids, and a smooth and natural sounding high-end response that’s never edgy or sibilant.
When it’s time to mix the band, push up the faders and you’ll see why FOH engineers love their R-121’s on electric guitars and brass. When the instruments sound real, fitting them into the live mix is a breeze.
LOUD GUITARS!
Does your guitarist like insane levels? No problem! The R-121 Live’s maximum SPL rating is 135dB at 20 Hz and it can handle that daily, every day. In practical terms, you can put your R-121 in front of a souped-up 100-watt Marshall and open it up without microphone distortion or damage to the ribbon. We don’t recommend trying this with other ribbon mics, but the R-121 Live was built to take it.
Features
- High SPL Capabilities
- No internal active electronics to overload or produce distortion up to the maximum SPL rating
- Extremely low residual noise
- The ribbon element is not affected by heat or humidity
- Absence of high-frequency phase distortion
- Equal sensitivity from the front or back of an element
- Consistent frequency response regardless of distance
Live Applications
- Electric Guitar Amps
- Brass Instruments
- Horn Sections
- Percussion Instruments
SPECIFICATIONS
- Acoustic Operating Principle: Electrodynamic pressure gradient
- Polar Pattern: Figure 8
- Generating Element: 4-micron aluminum ribbon
- Magnets: Rare Earth Neodymium
- Frequency Response: 30 -15,000 Hz +/- 3dB
- Sensitivity: -50 dBv Re. 1v/pa
- Output Impedance: 300 Ohms @ 1K (nominal)
- Rated Load Impedance: >1500 Ohms @ 300 Ohms
- Maximum SPL: >135dB @ 20 Hz
- Output Connector: Male XLR 3 pin (Pin 2 Hot)
- Dimensions: 58mm L, 25mm W (6.13″ L, 1″ W) Weight: 244g (8.6 oz) Finish: Dull Satin Nickel/Matte Black Chrome optional
Polar Pattern
Frequency Response
