Royer Labs R-10 Ribbon Microphone
- Extremely low background noise
- Ribbon element insensitive to heat and moisture
- Frequency range: 30 to 15,000 Hz (+/- 3 dB)
- Output impedance: 100 Ohm
Royer R-10 Ribbon Microphone Review
The release of the brand new Royer studio mics is all the time an enormous purpose for celebration, however, it’s maybe, much more, the case with the Royer R-10 Ribbon mic.
Although you won’t be able to guess it from the microphone’s wonderful sonic efficiency and construct high quality, at around $499, the R-10 is among the most reasonably priced Royer mics to date. The stereo pair consists of two mics with consecutive serial numbers, two swivel mounts, and a pair of fabric storage pouches that can be packed in a foam-lined carry case.
The Royer R-10 s basically a mono, passive electrodynamic pressure-gradient, bidirectional ribbon mic that makes use of Royer’s patented offset-ribbon transducer and a 2.5-micron ribbon factor.
The offset ribbon will present a barely different frequency response on the rear of the mic than the front (the front side is ready to deal with a higher SPL, however, the rear side has a slightly extra top-end). It’s like having two mics in a single because it’ll permit the side of the mic to be switched relying upon the sound supply.
Royer R-10 Ribbon Performance
The R-10 makes use of Royer’s patented offset-ribbon expertise and low-mass aluminum ribbon factor. The mic’s custom-designed impedance-matching transformer lowers the saturation, and its open-grille design lowers the standing waves and their comb-filtration effects.
The transducer’s flux-frame construction and rare neodymium magnets create a powerful magnetic matter that will increase sensitivity while lowering magnetic radiation. All of it provides up to a superior modern ribbon microphone that no recording studio or live rig needs to be without. And given the R-10’s delightfully mild price tag, we would add that having a pair of them is extraordinarily useful.
Royer R-10 Usage
The R-10 is completely suited to capture drums and percussion. The mic does a great job capturing vocals, sounding good on each female and male singer. The built-in windscreen is all you needed because it does an excellent job of protecting the ribbon component from plosives and wind damage with no sonic coloration.
The Royer R-10 has a clean, pure sound coupled with a powerful frequency response and substantial headroom, making it a superb possibility for just about any sound source, particularly guitar amps, drums, brass, and different exceptionally loud instruments. The R-10 is surprisingly reasonably priced and is in the identical sonic class as ribbon mics costing two or 3 times as much, making it a great possibility for project and professional studios alike, as well as live use.
Royer R-10 Design
Maybe not surprisingly, the brand new R-10 is derived from the already very well-proven R-101. Apparently, a couple of Royer engineers had been experimenting with totally different concepts on an R-101. They shortened the barrel size, eliminated the slotted grille to present an extra open area across the transducer, altered the framework contained in the mic, and so forth. The ensuing experimental prototype turned generally known as ‘Stumpy’, and additional growth work led to the R-10.
So, the R-10 is bodily smaller than the R-101, measuring around 50mm shorter at 149mm. It additionally has a very slightly narrower diameter at 35mm and is over 100g lighter than the R-101 at 368g, however, 125g heavier than the R-121 and virtually precisely the identical weight as the great Royer SF-12 stereo ribbon. On the hand, the R-10 looks like a stable, chunky, and sturdy microphone, effectively up to the rigors of stage work.
Like most of its siblings, the R-10 has a green lozenge badge to establish the front, together with an engraved model number. The serial number is printed on the bottom of the mic across the threaded stem that homes the output XLR connector. Nonetheless, as a substitute for an elaborate cat’s-cradle shock mount, the R-10 ships with an easy swivel mount that screws onto the mic’s threaded stem.
This easy arrangement has the dual benefits of lower manufacturing prices and a smaller, neater ‘footprint’, which makes it simpler to position the mic in tight areas. Since ribbon mics are inherently delicate to shock and vibration, the R-10 makes use of a very related inner shock mount system to the R-101, it’s simply been reworked slightly with an easier body to suit the smaller body and to scale back manufacturing costs.
Royer R-10 Specs
When it comes to sensitivity, the R-10 is specified at 2mV/Pa, which, as a body of reference, is about 2dB more delicate than a Shure SM57. Compared to different Royer models it’s roughly 6dB less delicate than the R-101, and 4dB quieter than the R-121. If used on quieter acoustic guitars and delicate vocals, a preamp providing 65dB gain or more can be useful, however, an inline gain stage.
At 100Ω, the nominal output impedance of the R-10 is lower than most microphones, which are sometimes both 150 or 200 Ω. That is undoubtedly because of the R-10’s bespoke output transformer as the R-101 and R-121 each have an output impedance of 300Ω.
Nonetheless, that is no bad factor as a lower output impedance helps to cut back the linked preamp’s noise contribution. The R-10’s revealed specs recommend use with a preamp input impedance of larger than 700Ω, though most preamps will probably be upwards of 1.5kΩ anyway (and devoted ribbon preamps sometimes present more than 10kΩ).
Additionally from the specs, the frequency response is quoted as 30Hz to 15kHz with a ±3dB tolerance. Clearly, the low-end response is influenced by the mic-source distance, though the proximity effect isn’t as pronounced within the R-10 as with many different ribbons, once more a deliberate design option to make it simpler to close-mic guitar amplifiers and the like.
Like all ribbons, the R-10 may be EQ’d without bringing out any harsh resonances or distortion.
- High SPL handling — perfect for close-miking electric guitar, brass, and other instruments
- Multilayer windscreen provides effective protection for the ribbon element
- Internally shockmounted ribbon transducer for increased durability
- Passive circuit with custom transformer minimizes high-SPL overload
- Vanishingly low residual noise
- Ribbon element impervious to heat and humidity
- Flat frequency response with no high-frequency peaks, ringing, or phase shifts
- Equal sensitivity from front or back of element
Why You Need the Royer R-10 Ribbon Mic
The R-10 is a unique beast to the R-121 nevertheless it’s got Royer DNA in spades. It flatters most instruments, particularly vibrant ones, with an exquisite warmth, richness, depth, and virtually a touch of pseudo saturation.
A pair of those in your mic collection will likely discover their approach in nearly each recording session you conduct. Royer ships the mic with a five-year guarantee and gives the primary re-ribbon free throughout the first year. There’s little purpose to holding off grabbing an R-10 early in 2018.
Conclusion
The Royer R-10 is a strong, well-built mic that sounds nice on absolutely anything that you simply want to record. It can make your vocals and instruments sound gorgeous. Like a “proper” instrument executed in a “proper” studio.
You’ll love how the Royer R-10 sounds on an acoustic guitar. It would not work for all types of music however for those who’re going for the folky dark, not too vivid, pure acoustic sound, then this mic shall be an especially good option to choose.
In case you are having any questions in regards to this microphone, please let us know in the comment section below or reach out to Royer web customer care!
