Royer Labs has announced the R-12 Ribbon Microphone. Designed for both studio recording and live sound applications, it combines natural sound pickup with the versatility of onboard bass-cut and pad switches.
The R-12 features the same 2.5-micron direct-corrugated ribbon element as used in Royer’s R-121 microphone, enabling it to handle the extremely high SPLs (160dB @ 1kHz), as well as acoustic stringed instruments, vocals, brass, pianos and organs, as well as drums and percussion instruments.
The R-12 features Royer’s proprietary phantom-powered electronics circuitry mated to a beefed-up transformer, which combine to deliver condenser microphone output levels for recording vocals, acoustic instruments and other quieter sound sources. The R-12’s active electronics also place a perfect load on the ribbon element at all times, enabling the microphone to deliver full sonic potential regardless of the preamplifier or DAW it’s plugged into.
By engaging the R-12s switchable -15dB pad, the mic’s output level drops to that of Royer’s non-powered R-10 ribbon mic for higher SPL sources like drums and high-volume electric guitars where more headroom is needed. The R-12 also carries a switchable high-pass filter tuned to reduce low-end proximity build-up and rumble for capturing vocal performances, close-miking instruments and loudspeaker cabinets.
Completing its feature set, the R-12 houses an internally shockmounted ribbon transducer, which helps isolate and protect the ribbon element while also reducing handling noise. Combined with a built-in triple-layer wind screen system, the microphone’s ribbon is effectively protected against plosives and other wind-related noise and air blasts.
‘The R-12 is a beautifully designed ribbon mic, delivering world-class performance at a killer price,’ says Royer Labs President, John Jennings. ‘It has roots in our non-powered R-10 ribbon mic, which is in studios around the world and has been on Dave Grohl’s insanely hot live guitar cabs for years, and it contains active ribbon mic circuitry based on what we use in much more expensive Royer models. It’s an extremely versatile ribbon mic that we’re proud to release now.’
The R-12 Ribbon Microphone and mic mount ship in a hard-shell case, with a street price of US$899 and matched pairs available for US$1,849. It is expected to become available in mid/late July 2025.
More: www.royerlabs.com