First released by the fledgling Royer Labs in 1998, the R-121 single-handedly sparked a revolution in ribbon mic technology with its compact, tough-as-nails construction and incredible versatility. Over 25 years later, the Royer R-121 has officially achieved icon status. Its sleek, lightweight design—revolutionary in the late ’90s —has become the industry standard, and recording professionals around the world swear by it as their go-to mic for everything from huge electric guitar tones to smooth and natural-sounding strings and horns.

Balancing classic ribbon warmth and openness with high-quality modern components and innovative engineering, the R-121 helped redefine when, how and where a ribbon mic could be used. Boasting higher output and massive SPL handling, the R-121 is capable of capturing a wide variety of sound sources with its ultra-smooth and well-balanced response. If you’re looking for a reliable ribbon mic that’s flexible enough to meet the demands of the modern studio, the Royer R-121 is it.

Timeless Ribbon Tone for the Modern Era

When Royer Labs founder David Royer went all-in on ribbon mics in the 1990s, it was anything but a safe bet. For many studio professionals, the ribbon mic was simply too cumbersome, too fragile and too niche to make it a viable option. The R-121 changed all of this. Each ultra-low-mass 2.5-micron aluminum ribbon is hand-rolled through a hyper-precise corrugator for increased durability and flexibility, giving the R-121 an enormous SPL rating of 135dB. With the addition of powerful neodymium magnets and a compact, state-of-the-art transformer, the R-121 delivers high-output performance with sensitivity similar to that of a good dynamic mic. The result is a microphone that offers an incredibly nuanced, true-to-life sound across a wide variety of applications—from quiet acoustics to gained-out guitar cabinets.

Offset Ribbon Design for Massive SPL Handling

The R-121's proprietary offset ribbon transducer is the first of its kind, positioning the ribbon element closer to the front side of the microphone. This arrangement gives the ribbon more room to flex rearward while remaining in the prime magnetic field when faced with extreme sound pressure levels. As a result, the R-121 is able to maintain full frequency response even in high-SPL situations. It's an integral piece of the magic of all Royer R-series microphones—and critical to the R-121's reputation for capturing outstanding electric guitars and brass. With the R-121, there’s no need to be shy—use it to close-mic speaker cabinets and capture full-force trumpet blasts with phenomenal results.

A Classic Mic for Guitar Cabinets—And So Much More

With its lush, incredibly natural sound, high SPL handling and close-miking capabilities, the R-121 has rightfully earned a reputation as one of the best electric guitar mics in the business. Its rich bottom end brings a larger-than-life feel when stacking rhythm tracks, while its smooth and detailed upper midrange make guitar solos soar above the mix. However, the R-121's flat and well-balanced response really make it ideal for any application. This workhorse of a ribbon mic captures the low-end punch of the kick drum, the sweet upper-register resonance of the flute and the detailed yet smooth shimmer of cymbals with the same capable authority. And it does it all while delivering that extra-special “it” factor—translating your performances with a lifelike, panoramic feel.

Two Mics in One

Thanks to the Royer R-121's unique offset ribbon technology and bidirectional figure-8 polar pattern, you can actually flip the mic around to unlock a whole new sonic profile. At distances of 30 inches or closer, the R-121 exhibits a slightly brighter response from the back, making it perfect for more delicate sources like vocals, acoustic guitars and strings. Love that warm ribbon mic sound but looking for something with a bit more high-end sparkle? Try focusing the rear lobe of the R-121 on your instrument for a rich and articulate tone. Just make sure to flip the polarity on your preamp or in your DAW when using the back side.