Royer R12 Ribbon Microphone Matched Pair

The Royer R-12-MP is a matched pair of active ribbon microphones designed to capture sources exactly as you hear them, with the warmth and depth ribbons are famous for plus the output and flexibility modern studios demand. Equally at home on electric and acoustic instruments, vocals, brass, piano, organs, drums and percussion, this pair gives you phase-coherent stereo imaging and the confidence to tackle everything from delicate acoustic sessions to punishingly loud guitar cabs.

Each R-12 uses the same ultra-thin 2.5 micron ribbon element as Royer’s legendary R-121, delivering huge headroom and a smooth, natural top end that flatters almost any source. Active electronics provide a healthy output level and a consistently ideal load on the ribbon, so you get the full character of the microphone with very low self-noise and rock-solid performance with a wide range of preamps.

With a switchable -15dB pad and a precisely tuned high-pass filter, the R-12 is easy to tailor to the job at hand. Engage the pad for close-miked drums or dimed guitar stacks, or use the bass cut to tame proximity effect on powerful vocalists and close instrument miking. The internal shock mounting and multi-layer wind screen help protect the ribbon while reducing handling noise and plosives, making the R-12 a robust choice for both studio and live sound applications.

As a matched pair, the R-12-MP is ideal for stereo techniques such as Blumlein, mid-side and spaced pairs, giving you detailed, three-dimensional recordings with the classic ribbon smoothness that sits beautifully in a mix.

Natural, Honest Sound

The R-12 is voiced for extremely natural sound acquisition, capturing the source with exceptional accuracy and a warm, musical character. This makes it a superb choice when you want the performance to sound just like it does in the room, whether that is a solo acoustic guitar, a brass section or a vocal performance.

Legendary Ribbon Element and High SPL Handling

Using the same 2.5 micron aluminium ribbon element as the iconic R-121, the R-12 delivers Royer’s renowned high SPL capability, rated at over 160dB at 1kHz. Combined with the switchable -15dB pad, it can handle extremely loud sources such as drums and cranked electric guitars without headroom-related distortion, giving you clean, controlled recordings even in the most demanding situations.

Active Electronics for Consistent Performance

The onboard active circuitry significantly boosts output level and presents an optimal, consistent impedance to the ribbon element. This ensures the microphone always delivers its full sonic potential, with very low self-noise and a low output impedance that works reliably with a wide range of mic preamps, especially on quieter sources like vocals and acoustic instruments.

Built-in Protection and Control

An internally shock-mounted ribbon transducer helps protect the element from mechanical shocks while reducing handling noise, and the triple-layer wind screen offers superior protection against plosives and wind noise. The switchable high-pass filter, tuned at 100Hz, reduces low-end build-up from proximity effect, making close-miking of loud vocalists, instruments and speaker cabinets more controlled and mix-ready.

• Matched Pair for Precision Stereo Recording - Supplied as a matched pair, the R-12-MP gives you closely aligned frequency and sensitivity characteristics, ideal for accurate stereo techniques and coherent imaging on drum overheads, ensembles, piano and room mics.
• Active Ribbon Design with High Output - Integrated active electronics provide a strong output signal, optimal impedance loading of the ribbon and very low self-noise, so you can use longer cable runs and a wide variety of preamps without sacrificing tone or detail.
• High SPL Capability with -15dB Pad - With maximum SPL handling in excess of 160dB at 1kHz and a switchable -15dB pad, the R-12 excels on loud sources like electric guitar cabinets, brass and drums, maintaining clarity and headroom where many microphones start to struggle.
• High-Pass Filter and Robust Protection - A switchable 100Hz low cut helps control low-frequency build-up and proximity effect, while the internally shock-mounted ribbon and multi-layer wind screen protect the element from plosives, wind and handling noise for reliable performance in studio and live environments.

General

• Model: R-12-MP Active Ribbon Microphone Matched Pair
• Acoustic Operating Principle: Electrodynamic pressure gradient with active electronics
• Polar Pattern: Figure-8
• Generating Element: 2.5-micron aluminium ribbon
• Magnets: Rare Earth Neodymium (Grade 52)

Performance

• Frequency Response: 30 to 15,000Hz +/- 3dB
• Sensitivity: -36dB (re. 1V/Pa)
• Pad: -15dB, switchable
• Bass Cut: 100Hz (6dB per octave), switchable
• Self-Noise: < 16dB
• Maximum SPL: > 160dB @ 1kHz, > 135dB @ 30Hz

Electrical

• Output Impedance: 200 ohms, balanced
• Rated Load Impedance: 1k ohms, minimum
• Output Connector: Male XLR 3-pin (Pin 2 hot)
• Power Requirements: 48-volt phantom power
• Supply Current: 4mA

Physical

• Dimensions (H x D): 209.5 x 35mm
• Weight: 462g

Included Accessories

• Microphone holder
• Mic sock
• Carrying case

Warranty

• Microphone Warranty: 10-year coverage on materials, workmanship and finishes to the original owner
• Ribbon Element Warranty: First re-ribbon free to the original owner within one year of purchase
• Extended Ribbon Element Policy: First re-ribbon free within five years of purchase if registered by the original owner within one year of purchase