Royer Labs Announces R-10 Ribbon Microphone

with No Comments

Competitively priced passive ribbon design is ideal for both studio and live applications

Royer Labs is pleased to announce the R-10 ribbon microphone. Ideal for both studio and live use, the R-10 is a warm, full-bodied and extremely natural sounding microphone that serves as the entry model to the company’s acclaimed line of ribbon microphones.

Hand-built in the company’s Burbank, California factory, the new R-10 features a 2.5-micron ribbon element (identical to the company’s R-121) and a David Royer custom-designed transformer. Its ribbon transducer is wired for humbucking to reject electromagnetically induced noise. With sound quality and performance attributes that are unquestionably Royer Labs, the R-10 handles SPLs of up to 160 dB @ 1K—making it well equipped for miking electric guitars both in the studio or live with all the low end, midrange warmth and punch that Royer ribbons are so well-known for.

The R-10 incorporates the proven 3-layer protective windscreen system and internally-shockmounted ribbon transducer originally developed for Royer’s R-101 ribbon microphone. The microphone’s windscreen provides superior protection from air blasts and plosives while simultaneously reducing proximity effect (LF buildup caused by close miking)—enabling guitar cabinets and acoustic instruments to be close-miked with less bass buildup. Equally notable, the microphone’s internally mounted ribbon transducer isolates the ribbon element from shocks and vibrations, thus increasing the ribbon element’s durability.

The R-10’s David Royer custom-designed transformer minimizes saturation at extremely high SPLs—making it next to impossible to overload the microphone. The microphone’s open grill design minimizes standing waves and associated comb filtering effects. As a result, its smooth frequency response, phase linearity, and lack of self-distortion make the R-10 a terrific choice for all digital recording and live sound applications.

John Jennings, Royer’s VP of Sales and Marketing, commented on the new R-10 ribbon microphone, “With its high SPL capabilities, the new R-10 is not only a great choice for miking studio and live electric guitars; it’s equally at home capturing trumpets, trombones, and saxophones—without the harshness or sizzle commonly encountered when condenser mics are used on these instruments. It’s also a great choice for drums and piano. Similarly, this mic makes an excellent choice for vocals, violins, nylon-stringed acoustic guitars, and other stringed instruments—delivering all the warmth one expects from a Royer Ribbon. With its highly competitive price point, I’m confident this microphone will prove invaluable to anyone who has ever wanted a Royer ribbon microphone.”

The new Royer Labs R-10 ribbon microphone ships in a foam-lined, protective aluminum case and includes a microphone mount designed to provide flexible mic positioning, and a protective mic sock. U.S. street price is $499. The microphone is available now.