Live Ribbon Microphones
Royer Live Series mics (R-121L, R-122L, SF-24L) were introduced in 2008, making ribbon mics available to FOH engineers for the first time. As a group they won the 2008 TEC Award for Microphone Technology/Sound Reinforcement, and they're showing up in performance venues around the world.
Royer Live Series mics utilize thicker ribbon elements - carefully chosen for increased durability and minimal sonic variation from their studio brethren. The thicker ribbons have a slightly slower transient response, resulting in softer highs.
Live Series mics are identified by their red logos (studio models have green logos). Live models can be converted to Studio models any time - we simply re-ribbon the mic to studio spec and replace the red logo with a green logo.
Like any high-end microphone, Royer Live Series mics need to be handled carefully during set-up and break-down. Proper handling and storage in a dedicated microphone container will assure years of reliable service.
Articles & Videos
According to Jim Ebdon - front-of-house engineer for Aerosmith, Matchbox Twenty and Maroon 5 - "Joe Perry from Aerosmith had been using Royer R-121s in his studio and decided to take them on the road. We used a mixture of the Royers, [Shure] 57s and [Audio-Technica] AT4050s". more
New York (August 9, 2011) - FOH engineer Marc Carolan has been miking Muse singer/guitarist Matthew Bellamy's guitar cabinet with a Royer R-122 live active ribbon microphone. more
The Brian Setzer Orchestra Live - FOH Engineer Jimbo Neal using Royers
Video: Front of house engineer Jimbo Neal takes us behind the scenes with the Brian Setzer Orchestra, showing how he uses Royer and Mojave Audio microphones.
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 live performances for years, but the increased durability of the R-121 Live gives FOH engineers greater confidence in the ribbon standing up to life on the road.
The R-122 Live is a road-optimized version of our phantom powered R-122 ribbon microphone. The R-122 Live's output is on par with phantom powered condenser mics, allowing long cable runs with minimal signal loss or RF pickup, and it produces the warm, natural sounds that only ribbon mics can deliver.