Royer Labs R-122V Matched Pair consists of two hand-matched vacuum tube ribbon microphones — the pinnacle of Royer's R-Series line and the world's first commercially produced active vacuum tube ribbon microphone. Each pair is hand-selected for sensitivity matching within 0.5 dB and frequency response within +/-1 dB. The R-122V uses the same ribbon transducer assembly as the R-121 and R-122 — 2.5-micron aluminum ribbon with patented offset placement (Patent #6,434,252) and Neodymium magnets — but replaces the FET active circuit with a JAN military-specification 5840W vacuum tube in triode cathode follower configuration, coupled to a Jensen output transformer. The high plate voltage of the tube supply (135 VDC) provides headroom far beyond what phantom power can deliver.
JAN 5840W and Jensen — tube architecture without tube coloration
The triode cathode follower configuration is specifically designed to eliminate typical tube harmonic coloration — this is a circuit built for transparency, not character. The higher output level comes entirely from Royer's custom-wound toroidal step-up transformer (free gain) — the tube circuit itself operates below unity gain and contributes no noise of its own; self-noise remains below 18 dB. The Jensen output transformer housed in the external power supply provides galvanic isolation and balanced output, virtually eliminating induced noise on long cable runs. The triode cathode follower configuration is inherently resistant to HF loss on extended cable runs — a practical advantage in orchestral and live recording environments where the distance from microphone to console can be substantial. Active tube electronics maintain constant, optimal impedance loading on the ribbon element regardless of the downstream preamp's input characteristics.
Patented offset ribbon and precision-matched stereo pair
The patented offset ribbon design (Patent #6,434,252) — shared across the entire R-series — positions the ribbon element closer to the front of the housing for higher SPL handling from the logo side and ribbon protection at maximum excursion. The rear side captures a slightly brighter response at approximately three feet and closer (phase reversed in this position) — two distinct tonal characters from one transducer. Precision factory matching eliminates the need to calibrate levels or compensate for tonal differences between channels in ORTF, X-Y, or Decca Tree configurations. Applications: electric guitar, brass, drum overheads and rooms, strings, woodwinds, piano, acoustic guitar, vocals, classical and orchestral recording. Each pair is supplied with two power supplies, two locking 25-foot cable assemblies, two RSM-1 shockmounts, and two protective wooden cases. Lifetime warranty to original owner; first ribbon replacement free.
KEY FEATURES
- Two hand-matched R-122V microphones: sensitivity within 0.5 dB, frequency response within +/-1 dB
- World's first commercially produced active vacuum tube ribbon microphone
- Same ribbon transducer as R-121 and R-122: 2.5-micron ribbon, Neodymium magnets
- JAN mil-spec 5840W pentode in triode cathode follower configuration
- High plate voltage headroom (135 VDC) — unavailable from phantom power
- Sensitivity -36 dB — condenser microphone output level
- Self-noise below 18 dB — free gain from toroidal transformer, no noise from tube stage
- Jensen output transformer in PSU: galvanic isolation and balanced output
- Triode cathode follower: long cable runs without HF loss
- Constant optimal ribbon load impedance regardless of preamp
- 200-ohm balanced output
- Patented offset ribbon design (Patent #6,434,252) — high SPL front, brighter character rear
- Ribbon element protected from phantom power, electrical transients, miswired cables
- Lifetime warranty to original owner; first ribbon replacement free
TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS
- Acoustic operating principle: electrodynamic pressure gradient with vacuum tube electronics
- Vacuum tube: JAN mil-spec 5840W pentode, triode-wired cathode follower
- Polar pattern: figure-8
- Generating element: 2.5-micron aluminum ribbon (99.99% Al)
- Magnets: rare earth Neodymium
- Frequency response: 30–15,000 Hz +/- 3 dB
- Sensitivity: -36 dB (re. 1V/Pa +/-1 dB)
- Self-noise: below 18 dB
- Output impedance: 200 ohms, balanced
- Rated load impedance: 1k ohm minimum
- Maximum SPL: above 135 dB @ 20 Hz
- Power requirements: plate 135 VDC @ 2 mA; filament 6 VDC @ 150 mA (dedicated PSU)
- Dimensions: 206 mm (L) x 25 mm (W)
- Weight: 300 g (10.9 oz) per microphone
- Finish: Dull Satin Nickel; optional Matte Black Chrome
- Includes: 2x R-122V, 2x dedicated power supply, 2x locking 25-ft cable assembly, 2x RSM-1 shockmount, 2x wooden case
