Royer R-10 Passive Ribbon Microphone

Incorporating advancements pioneered by Royer Labs, the R-10 is a a passive mono ribbon microphone that is designed for use both in the studio and on live stages, and hand-built in Royer's Burbank, California factory. With its all-Royer sound and performance, it can handle sound pressure levels (SPL) of up to 160 dB @ 1 kHz. Its compact size and mounting system offers versatile, unobtrusive positioning. The ribbon transducer is wired for humbucking, enabling it to reject electromagnetically induced noise, plus the patented offset-ribbon design positions the ribbon element more towards the front of the transducer, allowing for handling of the higher SPL from the front (logo) side, along with the option of a brighter response when recording lower SPL sound sources on the back side (3ft or closer; phase reversed position). Its 3-layer windscreen system provides top-quality protection from air blasts and plosives, also reducing proximity effect (bass buildup from close miking), allowing for close-miking of guitar cabinets and acoustic instruments with less bass buildup. The 2.5-micron aluminum ribbon transducer element is internally shockmounted, isolating it from shocks and vibrations, and increasing it's durability. It's an ideal choice for vocals, electric guitars, brass instruments, drums, and more.

Utilizing a David Royer custom-designed transformer for high overload threshold, saturation is minimized, even at extremely high SPL, so you'll probably never overload it. Its open-grille design means that standing waves and associated comb-filtering effects are highly reduced, and its smooth frequency response, phase linearity, plus lack of self-distortion make it great for digital recording as well as live sound applications.

Regarding electric guitar, it captures all the low end, midrange warmth, and punch that guitarists and engineers have come to count on from a Royer. It delivers more bite in the highs with no need to multi-mic (particularly on live stages where mixing mics can create phase-related problems), it takes EQ beautifully.

Excellent on brass, it can handle close-mic'd trumpets, trombones, and others as well. Brass records naturally on it, as bright as the musician may play but without the added sizzle or harshness commonly experienced when condenser mics are used for brass instruments.

When used on drums, it delivers a full-bodied sound with realistic (not over-hyped) transient response, and its figure-8 pattern offers excellent ambience and depth in room-miking use. An R-10, when compressed in front of the kit, gives it a huge, punchy sound.

For recording of violins, ukuleles, steel-stringed and nylon-stringed acoustic guitars, banjos, plus other stringed instruments, it sounds warm and natural and easily fit into the mix. Opening up a bit of 12K with an EQ can “air out” the recorded track and often gives surprisingly good results.

Using the R-10 on vocal recording delivers warm, natural audio, and its EQ-friendliness enables the 'dialing in' of completely different sounds when EQ is liberally used (as an experiment, you can try cutting bass at 100 Hz and opening up 12K by 3 to 6 dB - or more!).

Royer Labs R-10 Recommended Applications:

• Close-miking in the studio and on live stages
• Electric & acoustic guitars
• Drum overheads, kick drum (see manual for position), room miking
• Percussion instruments
• Brass, horn sections
• Strings - solo & sections
• Acoustic piano

Royer Labs R-10 Includes:

• R-10 Microphone
• Microphone Holder
• Mic Sock
• Carrying Case

Royer Labs R-10 Features:

• High SPL capability for electric guitar, brass and other close-miking applications
• Multi-layered wind screen provides superior protection to ribbon element
• Internally shock-mounted ribbon transducer gives increased durability
• Passive design and custom transformer minimize high SPL overload
• Extremely low residual noise
• Ribbon element not affected by heat or humidity
• Absence of high-frequency peaks, “ringing”, and phase shifts
• Equal sensitivity from front or back of the element

Royer Labs R-10 Specifications:

• Acoustic Operating Principle: Electrodynamic pressure gradient
• Polar Pattern: Figure-8
• Generating Element: 2.5-micron aluminum ribbon
• Magnets: Rare Earth Neodymium (Grade 52)
• Frequency Response: 30Hz-15,000Hz +/- 3 dB
• Sensitivity: -54dBv (re. 1v/pa)
• Output Impedance: 100 Ohms
• Maximum SPL: 135dB @ 50 Hz, 160dB @ 1kHz
• Recommended Load Impedance: 700 Ohms (or greater)
• Output Connector: Male XLR 3-pin (Pin 2: Hot)
• Dimensions (Length including mounting base x H): 5-7/8" x 1-3/8" (149 x 35 mm)
• Weight: 13 oz (368 grams)
• Shipping Weight: 2.5 lbs.
• Microphone: Adjustable Swivel Mount (Black)
• Microphone Warranty: Five Year, First Re-ribbon free in first year