Description
Overview
The Royer Labs R-10 is a professional passive mono ribbon microphone engineered to deliver the legendary sonic excellence and flexibility of Royer’s high-end line in a rugged, accessible package. Hand-built in Burbank, California, the R-10 is designed for seamless transition between the controlled environment of the studio and the demanding conditions of live front-of-house (FOH) applications.
At the heart of the R-10 is a 2.5-micron aluminum ribbon element—the same high-performance element found in the industry-standard R-121. Utilizing a patented direct-corrugation process, this microphone provides a smooth frequency response, phase linearity, and a total lack of self-distortion, making it an ideal choice for high-fidelity digital recording and live sound reinforcement.
Key Details
- Legendary Ribbon Element: Features the same 2.5-micron aluminum ribbon as the R-121 for consistent, professional-grade audio capture.
- Extreme SPL Handling: Capable of handling sound pressure levels up to 160 dB @ 1 kHz, ensuring the microphone will not overload even when placed in front of the loudest sources.
- Advanced Protection: Equipped with a 3-layer windscreen system that protects the delicate ribbon from air blasts and plosives while simultaneously reducing the proximity effect for cleaner close-micing.
- Noise Reduction: The ribbon transducer is internally shock-mounted to isolate the element from mechanical vibrations and rumble, and is wired for humbucking to reject electromagnetically induced noise.
- Custom Transformer: Utilizes a David Royer custom-designed transformer with a high overload threshold to minimize saturation at extreme volumes.
- Optimized Grill: An open grill design minimizes standing waves and prevents associated comb-filtering effects.
Use Cases
- Electric Guitar Cabinets: Perfect for close-micing amps to achieve a natural, warm tone without the harshness often associated with dynamic microphones.
- Acoustic Instruments: Ideal for capturing the organic nuance of brass, woodwinds, and stringed instruments.
- Live Stage Performance: Rugged enough for touring and live use, providing a smooth, “record-ready” sound directly to the mixing console.
- Drum Overheads & Room Mics: Excellent for capturing a cohesive image of a drum kit with natural phase linearity.
Installation
The R-10 is a passive microphone, meaning it does not require external phantom power to operate. For optimal performance, it is highly recommended to use a high-quality microphone preamp or a cloudlifter/inline preamp to provide the necessary gain for the passive ribbon element.
The compact chassis and integrated mounting system allow for flexible and unobtrusive positioning in tight studio spaces or on crowded live stages.
Compatibility
The Royer Labs R-10 is compatible with any standard XLR input. Because it is a passive ribbon microphone, it is compatible with all professional audio interfaces, mixing consoles, and preamplifiers. Caution: While most modern ribbon mics are protected, always verify your preamp settings when using phantom power in a multi-mic setup to ensure the safety of the ribbon element.
Additional Details
- Manufacturer: Royer Labs
- Model: R-10
- Format: Passive Mono Ribbon Microphone
- Weight: 2.49 lbs
- Dimensions: 9.5″ x 7.25″ x 0.22″
- Fulfillment: Physical Product
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