Royer R-122

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$1,290.54 Price Tier: Standard

5.0 (1)

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Page last updated Jun 20, 2026

Pricing and availability

We compare 600+ stores and found this item at 1 store. Prices updated June 20, 2026.

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5.0 (3)

$1,290.54 5 available Used

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Average Price: $1,291

Standard/Professional

$499

$1500+

Price Tier

In the Ribbon Microphones category, Royer R-122 is priced in the upper end of the Standard/Professional range. This is quality gear at a fair price point, suitable for beginners, hobbyists, and pros alike.

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Description

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Step into the world of crystal-clear sound with the Royer R-122, a ribbon microphone that redefines studio recording. As the phantom-powered sibling of the renowned R-121, the R-122 brings a unique internal amplifier that elevates your recordings with a higher output level. This advancement ensures you achieve exceptional clarity, even with quieter sound sources, making it an ideal choice for capturing the nuances of acoustic instruments and delicate vocals.

Unlike its counterpart, the R-122 is tailored for studio settings, not to be confused with the R-122 LIVE, which is designed for the stage. Its active design means you’ll experience superior performance without the hassle of external amplifiers, ensuring seamless integration with your favorite low-gain or noisier preamps. Whether you're laying down tracks in a professional studio or working on a home production, the R-122 offers a versatile solution that meets the demands of modern recording.

With its precise engineering and robust construction, this microphone stands as a testament to Royer Labs' dedication to quality and innovation. The R-122's ability to handle various recording environments while maintaining a warm, natural sound makes it a must-have for any musician or audio engineer seeking to add depth and richness to their recordings.

Key Features:

Active ribbon microphone with phantom power
Higher output level for improved compatibility with mic preamps
Ideal for recording quiet sound sources
Signature Royer Labs design for studio environments
Not suitable for live sound/stage use

Product specs

Brand	Royer
Model	R-122
Finish	Nickel
Year	2010s
Made In	United States
Categories	Microphones

FAQs

Does the Royer R-122 require phantom power?: Yes, the Royer R-122 requires phantom power to operate its active ribbon microphone circuitry, which provides higher output and impedance matching.
What makes the Royer R-122 suitable for live applications?: The Royer R-122 is ideal for live applications due to its high SPL capabilities, low residual noise, and the ability to handle high sound pressure levels without distortion.
How does the Royer R-122 handle different recording environments?: The Royer R-122 maintains consistent frequency response regardless of distance and is not affected by heat or humidity, making it versatile for various recording environments.
What is the tonal difference when using the rear side of the Royer R-122?: The rear side of the Royer R-122 records slightly brighter when positioned three feet or closer to the sound source, offering tonal flexibility.
What protective features come with the Royer R-122?: The Royer R-122 includes a protective wood case and a microphone sock, ensuring safe storage and transport.

Videos

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Royer Labs

Royer R-122 Microphones on Cello featuring Winona Zelenka

Royer Labs

Reviews

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PROS

Exceptional sound quality on piano and cello
Accurately captures the essence of an acoustic guitar
Complements other mics, such as the 414, for a balanced sound
Unique frequency delivery compared to classics like Rode
Fortifies low-end frequencies, ideal for blending with condensers
Active circuitry prevents damage from phantom power

CONS

Can sound dull on certain instruments without EQ adjustments

Owner Insights

We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Royer R-122.

Build quality

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The Golden Age R1's build is noted as somewhat flimsy, with frequent issues reported with the yoke breaking under regular use.
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Setup and maintenance

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It’s noted that preamps can significantly impact the sound of passive ribbons, but active ribbons like the Royer 122 are less affected by preamp variations.
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The Cascade Fathead benefits significantly from retuning or replacing the ribbon to enhance performance and reduce common issues.
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Use cases and applications

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The AEA N8 is recommended for those seeking a warm, dry sound on drum overheads, serving as a mono alternative to the R88 for a ribbon setup.
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The AEA R88 is praised for its ability to record entire bands with a single mic, offering a huge and warm sound for instruments like piano, drums, and acoustic guitar.
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The MXL R144 offers a thick, mid-heavy sound on guitars, complementing dynamic mics like the SM57 for fuller tonal coverage.
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The Royer R-122 is effective for capturing the meat of a snare drum when positioned at 45 degrees below the bottom rim, paired with an SM57 on top.
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The Golden Age Project R1 MKII excels in capturing smooth, clear sounds on acoustic guitars and as a mono drum overhead.
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When used on acoustic guitars, flipping the polarity and using the back side of the 122 can yield excellent results.
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It's recommended to use the Royer R-122 slightly off-axis for loud sources to prevent distortion and maintain clarity.
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Comparisons

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The Stager and Willow River Studios’ ribbons are highlighted as affordable yet high-quality options, often used in professional sessions, showcasing their reliability and sound quality.
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The Royer R-122 offers legendary tone similar to the R-121 but with phantom power, providing more gain and detail, especially effective for tracking acoustic instruments.
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The SE VR2 ribbon mic offers a surprisingly wide frequency response with significant top end, comparable to a condenser mic, making it versatile for various applications.
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For overheads, the Royer SF series and Coles 4038 are preferred over the R-122 for more punch and detail.
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User experience

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Owners report using the RCA 44 on loud amps without distortion, suggesting a minimum distance of 6 inches from the source to maintain clarity.
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Users report that the VR2 has an uncharacteristically detailed sound for a ribbon, making it ideal for violin and mono drum overhead recordings.
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Using a 122 as part of a mono setup over the kick/snare/rack tom area can augment drum sound, adding a beefy quality when used with spaced pair condensers.
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Features and functionality

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The Beyerdynamic M160, a hypercardioid ribbon mic, excels in reducing room noise and is ideal for electric guitars, offering prominent mids and highs while maintaining a ribbon character.
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Artist usage

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Daron Malakian

Singer, Guitarist

System of a Down

Verified via Photo

In this photo you can see Royer R-122 on Darons Marshall cab for live miking

Ethan Torchio

Drummer

Måneskin

Verified via Soundonsound

Used for the bass drum on "Beggin", as described by Alessandro Marcantoni in this October 2021 Sound on Sound interview.

Working from memory, old gear lists and photos, and the track names in his mix session for ‘Beggin’, Marcantoni retraces his steps, both for the recordings and the mixing. “For the kick I would have used a Shure Beta 52A on the inside, a Neumann U47 [FET] on the outside, and a Royer Labs R‑122 placed close to the kick drum pointing to the snare, for a mono drum kit track. On the snare I used a Shure SM57 at the top, and a Shure Beta 57 at the bottom. I duplicated the top snare track to create another effect setting for the rimshots.

“In addition I had one Neumann KM‑184 for hi‑hat and another KM‑184 for the ride cymbal, a couple of AKG C414 XLII mics as overheads, and two Neumann U87s for ambience. The toms had Beyerdynamic Opus 87 mics. I would have avoided the Yamaha desk for the recording chains, so the mics would have gone through external mic pres. I most likely would have used API 512C’s for the kick and the snare, and Focusrite ISA 828/430 for the other drum tracks. They would have gone into the Apogee Symphony MkI, and the Avid HD I/O.

Bruce Swedien

Music Producer

Verified via Photo

Bruce Swedien used R-122 Pair on Overhead on Jennifer Lopez Albums esp the song 'Still' pictured here played by Omar Hakim (his Kit)

Neeraj Khajanchi

Music Producer, Audio Engineer

Verified via YouTube

In the YouTube video titled "ニラジ・カジャンチ「プロのバンド・レコーディング全公開」前編" by SoundRecordingJP, Neeraj Khajanchi is shown using the Royer R-122 ribbon microphone for studio recording.

Josh Hoffman

Singer, Guitarist

Grandfather

Verified via SonicScoop

Used for drum overheads on Why'd I Try, as stated by bandmate Michael Kirsch in this self-written October 5, 2010 SonicScoop article.

Drums (Kentucky)

Bass Drum Front: Beyer M380 -> 1176 Limiter Slow Release, 20:1

Bass Drum Batter: Shure SM98

Snare: Sony C37e -> NTI EQ

Rack Tom: Josephson E22s Top and Bottom

Floor Tom: Josephson E22s Top and Bottom

Overheads: Royer 122 (L&R) -> 1178 Limiter -> GML EQ + 678k + 3726k

M-S Stereo: AKG C24 M.S (0 + ?) -> Electrical M-S Matrix

Room Ambience: Neumann CMV563 + N55k Capsules (L&R) -> 20ms Stereo Delay

Rimshot: Shure SM98 -> GML Limiter

Electrical Audio's equipment list entry is dated only one year after the release of the MKI, while Why'd I Try preceded the release of the MKII.