Pricing and availability
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Average Price: $1,522
High-end/Boutique
$499
$1500+
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Price History
Based on price data from 5 merchants for "Royer R-121". Prices shown reflect NEW condition. Tracking began Apr 2, 2026.
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Description
Introducing the Royer R-121 Ribbon Microphone, a top-notch studio recording gear that brings a new dimension to your musical journey. This microphone is lauded for its superior directional characteristic: Figure 8 pattern, ensuring optimal audio capture from both the front and back of the microphone. The R-121 is known for its extremely low inherent noise, offering clean and crisp audio output, making it a popular choice among professionals.
One of the standout features of the R-121 is its ribbon element that is insensitive to heat and moisture, ensuring longevity and reliability. This microphone is ideal for capturing the subtle nuances of guitar recordings, wind instruments, overheads, and string instruments, offering a wide frequency range from 30 Hz - 15 kHz +/- 3 dB.
With a sensitivity of -54 dBv re. 1 V/pa +/- 1 dB and output impedance of 300 Ohm @ 1 k (nominal), this microphone is capable of handling maximum SPL: > 135 dB, making it a versatile tool for various recording scenarios. Packaged in a nickel finish and complete with a wooden box and protective cover, the R-121 is not just a microphone, it’s an investment in your musical aspirations.
Key Features:
- Directional characteristic: Figure 8
- Extremely low inherent noise
- Ribbon element insensitive to heat and moisture
- Ideal for guitar recordings, wind instruments, overheads and string instruments
- Frequency range: 30 Hz - 15 kHz +/- 3 dB
- Sensitivity: -54 dBv re. 1 V/pa +/- 1 dB
- Output impedance: 300 Ohm @ 1 k (nominal)
- Maximum SPL: > 135 dB
- Colour: Nickel
- Includes wooden box and protective cover
Product specs
| Microphone Type | Ribbon |
| Ribbon Type | 2.5-micron Aluminum |
| Mono/Stereo | Mono |
| Polar Pattern | Figure-8 |
| Frequency Response | 30Hz-15kHz |
| Max SPL | 135dB (20Hz) |
| Output Impedance | 300 ohms |
| Connector | XLR |
| Dimensions | 6.13" x 1" |
| Weight | 0.54 lbs. |
| Included Accessories | Wooden Case |
FAQs
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What is the primary use of the Royer R-121 Ribbon Microphone?
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The Royer R-121 is ideal for recording electric guitar amps, brass instruments like trumpets, and drums, especially in high SPL environments, due to its robust build and natural sound reproduction.
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Does the Royer R-121 require phantom power?
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No, the Royer R-121 is a passive ribbon microphone and does not require phantom power. It is safe to use on consoles with phantom power, provided the cabling is correctly wired.
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What is the polar pattern of the Royer R-121?
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The Royer R-121 features a figure-8 polar pattern, capturing sound equally from the front and back while rejecting sound from the sides, making it suitable for various recording environments.
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How durable is the Royer R-121 for high SPL applications?
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The Royer R-121 can handle high sound pressure levels up to 135dB, making it suitable for loud sources like guitar amplifiers and brass instruments without distortion.
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What is the frequency response range of the Royer R-121?
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The Royer R-121 has a frequency response range of 30Hz to 15kHz, providing a balanced and natural sound ideal for a wide range of recording applications.
Videos
Daniel Hong
Ribbon mic vs Condenser Mic I Royer 121 vs Neumann U87
Ribbon mic vs Condenser Mic I Royer 121 vs Neumann U87
Daniel Hong
Royer R-121 Ribbon Microphone | Reverb Demo Video
Reverb
Royer R-121 Ribbon Microphone Overview - Sweetwater
Sweetwater
Royer R 121 and Shure SM 57 Microphone Placement Demo Video by Shawn Tubbs
Shawn Tubbs
Ribbon Mic Shootout: AEA N22 vs Royer R-121 on Guitar, Drums and Drum Room
Creative Sound Lab
Getting the Most out of Your Royer R-121 Ribbon Microphone
Sweetwater
Royer R121 Ribbon Microphone Review
Guitar Center
Royer R121 on vocals with Anthony Aparo of Culture Culture
Lance Seymour
Royer R121 Ribbon Microphone Overview - Sweetwater Sound
Sweetwater
Reviews
PROS
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Excels with loud guitar cabinets and horns, versatile on various instruments
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Adds unique character and color, especially for vocals and guitars
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Pairs well with high impedance preamps for optimal sound quality
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Can sound significantly different and versatile when used from different angles
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Complements other microphones like SM57 for a fuller sound
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High-quality, rich, and warm sound production
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Durable, suitable for both studio and live applications
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Ribbon replacement service available for free the first time
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Captures warmth and clarity across all frequencies immaculately
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Less gain required compared to some dynamic mics, like the SM57
CONS
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Requires careful mic placement to avoid bad sound quality
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Needs a good amount of gain, common with ribbon mics
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Performance varies significantly with mic preamp quality
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May not be the best choice for vocal recordings without precaution
Owner Insights
We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Royer R-121.
Comparisons
Use cases and applications
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Owners often pair the R121 with an SM57 on guitar cabs, placing the R121 on-axis at the cone's center and the SM57 towards the cone's edge for balance.
Source -
The R121 is favored for its "plug and play" capability, often requiring minimal EQ adjustments post-recording for a natural sound.
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The Royer R-121 is appreciated for its hyperrealistic tone and unique low mid bump, making it ideal for capturing depth in guitar recordings.
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The 57x121 mic combo is noted for creating a "Nashville sound," but may not suit all stylistic preferences, particularly for those not recording high gain guitars.
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Using the R-121 backwards on a guitar cab (logo facing out) can reduce low-end buildup and emphasize mids/highs, useful for distorted guitars.
Source
User experience
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Many report the R121 captures guitar "weight" without woolliness, ideal for low-tuned, high-gain setups, resembling a HUM/Failure sound.
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Owners often favor a ribbon-dominant mix, with the SM57 being -20 to -8 dB quieter, and typically adjust phase to enhance the blend.
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It's recommended to position the R-121 slightly further back than a paired SM57 to experiment with distance for optimal sound capture.
Source
Features and functionality
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The SE VR2 is noted for its bright, smooth top end, contrasting the R121's mellower high frequencies, yet both excel in capturing low-mid range richness.
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The Royer R-121 as a figure-8 microphone captures both front and rear sound, offering a depth effect that distinguishes it from other flat frequency response mics.
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The R-121's max SPL is 135 dB, making it capable of handling most guitar cabs without risk of ribbon damage.
Source
Value and pricing
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Renting the R121 before purchase is recommended, allowing potential owners to compare it with cheaper ribbons like the MXL R144 or the SE VR2.
Source
5.0 out of 5
Based on 5 Reviews and 14 Ratings
606
The Rolls Royce of Ribbon Microphones
In a true class of its own! This Ribbon Mic is perfect for both Studio and Live applications. The purest of tonalities that captures the exact sound of whatever its put in front of just as your ears hear it. It projects the warmth and clarity across the whole range of frequencies in the most immaculate manner.
5455
Buy it now if you can. Run, don't walk. Matched pair? Even better.
There are few things I DON'T like to use this on. Really shines on Guitar cabs, drum OH's, warm on acoustic especially when paired with a condenser to add in some "sparkle". Also will frequently pair it with a 57 or other dynamic & blend to taste (always check you phase!). These are hardly secrets, these techniques are widely used but for good reason. It sound so damn good!
Can handle high SPL (I however can not break the habit of handling them while setting up/take down/etc like the much more fragile vintage ribbons of the past). It's another "essential" in my locker.
41029
theyt ake high SPL, but they are still delicate compared t other types of microphones and you are right to baby your Royer
5455
Thankfully, because of my "ambassadors" into the world of audio when I was still wee I'll never be able to break some good habits. Ribbon mic? My handling & awareness goes up to 10(11?). God help anyone wrapping my cables incorrectly in my studio.
41029
oh man, I am allowed tow rap my cables however, but if someone else does a sloppy job? DEATH
5455
If I even glance at someone wrapping cables wrong my eye starts twitching. My toenails start to itch.
275
Great Mic
Used in conjuction with four other microphones to record an Orange OR120 for my band's debut album
2423
great mic
this is my amp microphone. it work great and sounds great so I use it. I recommend.
Artist usage
Add artist
Pictured and mentioned in this AudioTechnology magazine article about the Ghost Stories Tour, erroneously typed as a portmanteau of Royer's SF-12 (a stereo coincident ribbon mic) and R-121.
Jonny Buckland’s pedalboard is a two-man lift. Meanwhile, the rack (which is replicated for redundancy’s sake) packs his wireless receivers, TC2290 delays, Line6 processing and an Eventide Harmonizer. The Fender amps are serviced by Shure SM57s, with a coincident Royer SF121 [sic] ribbon on one cab.
We can see a Royer R-121 Ribbon Microphone on this Marshall Cab. During the Download Festival, June 2017.
"Generally we have three microphones on each cab—either a Shure SM57 or Heill PR 30 next to a Sennheiser 421, and then either a ribbon mic like a Royer R-121 ribbon or a Neumann FET47, to capture a fullness of sound." - excerpt from Premier Guitar interview.
Brian Setzer’s Royer R-121 Mic is shown at 19:50 in this Rig Rundown from Premier Guitar.
"The band tours nearly 300 days a year so to keep things running as efficient as possible Barakat uses a Kemper Profiler so he can quickly access all the band’s recorded tones and even shared settings given to him by Mark Hoppus of Blink 182. For his clean tone he’s using an AC30 model that’s miked with a Royer R121 ribbon microphone and for the more aggressive stuff the core tone is sampling from Barakat’s Budda Superdrive 30."
And I used something different on this record. Instead of mic-ing up the cabinets, I used a cabinet emulator for the microphone. So John Suhr, Suhr Custom, has a thing, it's called ACE – Analog Cabinet Emulator. I had mic-ed up my cabinets as I normally do with a Royer [R-]121 and a 57 Shure and got some sounds that I liked.
The vocalist is seen using the iconic Royer Ribbon Microphone in the music video to Bring Me The Horizon's single Drown.
"In general I used both Shure SM57 and Royer R-121 ribbon mics, a few inches back, just off the center of the cone, give or take an inch or two depending on the part. When you back the mics off a bit, it can help a part sit in a track better, especially if there are more that two guitar parts."
In this Tape Notes podcast 24:05, Wayne Sermon mentions the use of Royer.
"I sometimes used a Royer R121 ribbon and I would sometimes use a [Shure] Beta 52."
"I have an AKG C414 TLII for vocals and acoustic guitar, a couple of Royer R121s and some Shure SM57 and 58s for guitars, and that's it." - Ken Lawrence.
Album Usage
The Royer R-121 has been featured on the following albums:
This Old Dog
Mac DeMarco & Mac DeMarco (2017)
Songs Of Experience (Deluxe Edition)
U2 (2017)
Get Out Of Your Own Way
U2 (2017)
Random Access Memories
Daft Punk & Daft Punk (2013)
Icky Thump
The White Stripes & Jack White & Jack White (2007)
A Thousand Kisses Deep
Chris Botti (2003)
Enema Of The State
Blink-182 (1999)
Genre Usage
Based on how artists on Equipboard use this gear, it is most commonly found in the following genres.
Used With
Based on how musicians on Equipboard use Royer R-121, it is most commonly used with the following gear.
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