Royer Labs
Microphone designer David Royer founded two companies to market his products, Mojave Audio for condenser microphone designs, and Royer Labs for ribbon microphone designs. Royer Labs was the earlier of these two companies and is the one for which he is best known. It was founded in 1998.
Royer Labs’ stated mission is to bring the uniquely natural sound qualities of ribbon microphones to the world.
We believe in better microphones for better music. Our path is constant reinvention and innovation in ribbon microphone technology. Our goal is to impart warmth, realism and musicality into the digital recording process. Our place is in every quality recording environment, from home workstations and world class studios to the concert stage. We hold ourselves to the highest possible standards of workmanship, to provide engineers with the worlds finest and most durable ribbon microphones.
Royer Labs produces two families of ribbon microphones, distinguished by ribbon construction and microphone application. The ribbons in R-series mics measure 3/16'' by 1.75'' by 2.5 microns, and are offset slightly to the front side of the case, giving usefully different sonic characteristics to the front and back lobes of the bidirectional pickup pattern.
In SF-series mics, the ribbons measure 1/16'' by 1.25'' by 1.8 microns, and are centered within the case, yielding equal response characteristics from both sides of the mic.
In 2007, the company introduced its “Live” series of ribbon mics, which incorporate heavier-gauge ribbon material to increase durability. The company claims that the change in each mic’s responsiveness and gain levels are negligible. Currently, the following mics are available in “Live” versions: R-121, R-122 and SF-24. Existing mics can be converted to “Live” architecture by swapping the ribbon and the logo badge (which is red for “Live” series mics).
All Royer mics are handbuilt in California, and carry a lifetime warranty to the original buyer. The company’s entry-level ribbon, the R-101, also includes a first free replacement ribbon.
Current Royer Labs Microphones
Royer Labs R-10
Royer Labs R-101
Royer Labs R-121
Royer Labs R-121 Live
Royer Labs R-122 Live
Royer Labs R-122 Mk II
Royer Labs R-122V
Royer Labs SF-12
Royer Labs SF-2
Royer Labs SF-24
Royer Labs SF-24 Live
Royer Labs SF-24V
Royer Labs Mic Sets
Royer Labs R-101 Matched Pair
Royer Labs R-121 Matched Pair
Royer Labs R-122 Matched Pair
Royer Labs R-122V Matched Pair
