Royer Labs R-122V User Manual

Royer Labs

Model R-122V

Vacuum Tube Ribbon Velocity Microphone

Operation Instructions Manual
& User Guide

Made in U.S.A.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Model R-122V Vacuum Tube Ribbon Microphone

Revised 2009

Introduction! 4

Active Ribbon Technology! 4

Description! 6

Applications! 6

Ribbons in the Digital World! 6

User Guide! 7

Using the R-122V vacuum tube Ribbon Microphone! 7

Power Supply Input Module! 8

Fuse replacement! 8

Voltage Changeover! 9

Operation! 9

Amplification Considerations! 10

Equalization & Ribbon Microphones! 11

Hum, Noise & Mic Orientation! 11

The Sweet Spot! 12

Finding and Working with the Sweet Spot! 12

Other Types of Microphones! 13

Proximity Effect and Working Distance! 13

The Sound That Is “More Real than Real”! 13

Microphone Techniques! 14

General Tips for Using the Royer R-122V! 14

Recording Loud or Plosive Sounds! 15

Stereophonic Microphone Techniques! 17

Classic Blumlein Technique! 17

Specialized Recording Techniques! 19

Recording on the Back Side of the R-122V! 19

Care & Maintenance! 20

Voltage Conversion! 21

Fuse Replacement! 21

R-122V CABLE PINOUT! 21

2

Troubleshooting! 22

Features! 22

Electrical Specifications! 23

Mechanical Specifications! 23

Polar Pattern! 24

Frequency Response! 24

Warranty! 25

3

Introduction

Congratulations on your purchase of a Royer model R-122V vacuum tube ribbon microphone.
The R-122V is a handcrafted precision instrument capable of delivering superior sound quality
and exceptional performance. The R-122V represents a new level of performance for ribbon
microphones, combining sophisticated technological advancements with old-world
craftsmanship. The R-122V incorporates a vacuum tube head amplification system that operates
in conjunction with a dedicated AC operated power supply. This enables the R-122V to deliver
the same sensitivity and output performance that the recording industry has grown accustomed to
with modern condenser microphones. In addition, the active circuitry completely isolates the
ribbon element from impedance mismatches, short-circuits and other anomalies that can degrade
microphone performance or damage the ribbon. The R-122V is the first professional grade
ribbon microphone that utilizes vacuum tube electronics and Royer’s patented Offset Ribbon
transducer assembly.

This operator’s manual describes the R-122V, its function and method of use. It also describes
the care and maintenance required to ensure proper operation and long service life. The User
Guide section of this manual offers practical information that is designed to maximize the
performance capabilities of your microphone.

Royer Labs products are manufactured to the highest industrial standards using only the finest
materials obtainable. Your model R-122V went through extensive quality control checks before
leaving the factory. Normal care is all that is required to assure a lifetime of trouble-free service.

Please read this manual thoroughly in order to become familiar with all of the R-122V’s
capabilities. It will assist you in making the most of your microphone’s superior acoustic
properties. This operator’s manual is a handy reference guide and we suggest you refer to it
whenever questions arise about the use and care of your R-122V active ribbon microphone.

Active Ribbon Technology

Royer Labs pioneered the first active ribbon microphones with the introduction of the R-122 in

2002. The R-122 is a solid-state microphone that operates from standard 48-volt simplex power.
The development of that microphone was the result of several years of effort that actually began
with our developing several vacuum tube versions first. The tube circuitry research was crucial to
the development of the specialized audio transformer used in the R-122, and a necessary step for
the development of our solid-state, phantom powered ribbon microphones. Technically speaking,
Royer vacuum tube ribbon microphones predate our phantom powdered models, which are now
industry standards.

The heart of the R-122V (and all Royer Active Series microphones™) is a proprietary system
consisting of a specially designed toroidal transformer and electronic buffering stage. These
work together as a single unit to provide excellent frequency response, very low noise, very low

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distortion and very high SPL handling without the use of pads. The system gives the R-122V an
output level comparable to that of condenser microphones, and its buffer stage provides a low
impedance output while presenting a perfect impedance load to the ribbon element. Non­powered ribbon microphones suffer substantially degraded frequency response and lowered
sensitivity when they are paired to a preamp with too low of an input impedance. With the
R-122V’s vacuum tube circuitry, the microphone’s frequency response and output are much less
affected by variations in the input impedance of the following preamp.

Sonically, the R-122V differs from the non-powered R-121 and the phantom powered R-122 in a
few subtle, but significant, ways. Due to the extra iron in the R-122V’s much larger transformer,
low-end frequencies sound slightly tighter and more focused than with the R-121 (the R-122 also
utilizes this special Royer designed transformer). Compared with that of the R-121, the transient
response of the R-122 and R-122V is faster, giving the sense of a more open high-end response.

Sonically, the R-122V is set apart by its increased midrange reach and detail, and a lushness that

is hard to describe. The R-122V also has an enormous amount of headroom available, making it
useful on extremely loud applications. Phantom powered microphones are limited with regard to
maximum headroom as a result of the phantom power source. With the vacuum tube design,
greater headroom is achievable because the voltage source is supplied by a dedicated power
supply. The vacuum tube operates with a supply voltage greater than twice that of a phantom
powered microphone. The vacuum tube also provides the extremely high input impedance
required for the specialized ribbon matching transformer and offers transient response superior to
any solid-state component.

Key points:

• No longer is it necessary to mate a ribbon microphone to an ultrahigh gain, low noise
preamplifier for optimum performance. Any preamplifier of nominal gain will provide good
results with the R-122V.

• No longer is it necessary to carefully consider impedance matching characteristics when
choosing a preamplifier. Microphone loading is a non-issue (although we still suggest that the
load is above 2,000-ohms for optimum technical performance).

• No longer is it necessary to be concerned about damaging the ribbon element with phantom
power. The vacuum tube electronics completely isolate the ribbon element.

• No longer is it necessary to worry about the effects of long cable runs degrading the
performance of your ribbon microphone. The vacuum tube electronics provide a robust low
impedance signal that can handle long cable lengths without loss of signal.

5

Description

The R-122V is a compact, active, bi-directional (figure-eight) velocity type tube ribbon
microphone designed for professional applications. The figure-eight pickup pattern allows the
R-122V to be addressed from either side with equal sensitivity. The in-phase signal is achieved
when the microphone is addressed from the front, indicated by the “ROYER” logo.

The R-122V is reasonably tolerant of shock and vibration, and performance is unaffected by
changes in temperature or humidity. However, ribbon microphones are somewhat more sensitive
to direct blasts of air and the R-122V is no exception to this rule. Discretionary use of a
windscreen or pop screen, such as the Royer PS-101, WS58 or equivalent, is highly
recommended for close-miking vocalists or certain types of percussion and wind instruments.

Applications

The Royer Labs model R-122V is a versatile microphone and is ideally suited for many critical
recording applications. Its smooth frequency response characteristics and ability to capture detail
make it a fine choice for many instruments, as well as for general broadcast applications. Its
gentle low-frequency proximity effect makes it especially useful for vocalists and announcers.
Female vocalists often benefit from the R-122V’s ability to capture high frequencies without
distortion or edginess. Orchestral instruments are captured in a natural-sounding way, free from
microphone-induced “hype.” The R-122V has exceptionally smooth high frequency
characteristics and is devoid of microphone induced ringing. Phase-related distortion and
irregular frequency peaks are conspicuously absent. These features make the R-122V vacuum
tube ribbon microphone an ideal choice for strings, woodwinds, percussion and amplified
instruments. Theater organs and electric guitar amplifiers sound big and fat, without unnatural
coloration, when recorded with the R-122V. Acoustic pianos can be captured accurately without
the comb-filtering effects associated with condenser microphones.

Ribbons in the Digital World

Digital recordings benefit greatly from the properties inherent in ribbon microphones. Since A to
D converters cannot distinguish between the sound source being recorded and the complex
distortion components often associated with condenser microphones, they sometimes have
difficulty tracking the signal, resulting in ringing and edgy-sounding tracks. With quality ribbon
microphones, ringing is almost nonexistent due to the ribbon’s lack of distortion artifacts and
high frequency peaks. A to D converters have less difficulty tracking the ribbon-generated signal,
resulting in very smooth digital recordings free of microphone-related edginess.

6

User Guide

Using the R-122V vacuum tube Ribbon Microphone

The head amplification system used in the R-122V consists of a sub-miniature military grade
vacuum tube configured as a cathode follower. This circuit arrangement offers ideal impedance
matching properties and very high headroom. The vacuum tube is powered from a dedicated
power supply that supplies high voltage B+ and heater current through the microphone cable.
The tube's heater supply is a "constant current" design that enables the tube to perform correctly,
even with microphone cables of varying lengths.

To ensure long service life for your R-122V vacuum tube ribbon microphone, care should be
taken when connecting the microphone to its power supply. We have prepared a few tips to
ensure that your R-122V ribbon microphone will perform perfectly for many years; a general set
of good habits that apply to both tube ribbon microphones and tube condenser microphones.

CAUTION! Before plugging your power supply into an AC source, confirm that the
VOLTAGE SELECTOR SWITCH is in the correct position for the country in which it will be
used. Failure to follow this procedure may result in a blown fuse or damage to your
microphone.

The microphone must be plugged into the power supply via the 7-pin cable before the supply is
turned on. Do not operate the power supply without the microphone connected!

1. Always be certain that the correct microphone cable is used with the microphone, and that
the cable is in good serviceable order. The R-122V uses a 7-pin cable configuration that
provides the tube's working voltages and carries the audio signal to the preamplifier. The
cable is specific to Royer products and may not be substituted with a cable from another
manufacturer unless the pin out and wiring configuration are identical to the R-122V's cable.

The audio output signal is available at the power supply and utilizes a standard 3-pin
configuration where a shield ground is carried through Pin-1, and a balanced differential
signal carried along Pins-2 and 3. Pin-2 is signal hot (positive) and Pin-3 is signal cold
(negative).

2. Although it is usually safe to “hot plug” most phantom powered and passive microphones to
a preamplifier or console with the phantom activated, we suggest that you de-activate the
phantom power prior to plugging the microphone to the cable, if possible. This reduces the
possibility of loud pops being transmitted to your monitor speakers should the volume
control be raised. Serious damage to your speakers could result from this mistake.

3. Be certain that the input channel fader or volume control is set to minimum before plugging
in any microphone. Preamplifier gain trim should be set to minimum.

4. Vacuum tube circuits require several minutes to stabilize. The R-122V’s power supply ramps
up power to the microphone slowly, minimizing stress on the microphone’s electronics and

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extending the life of the tube. We recommend letting the R-122V warm up for at least 15
minutes prior to use. When the microphone becomes operational, bring the channel fader to
0-dB (unity) and use the trim to set the desired level. This technique maximizes the signal-to­noise performance of the preamplifier or console input channel.

5. When disconnecting the microphone, bring the channel fader down, turn the R122V's power
supply OFF and unplug the microphone cable from the power supply.

6. If the studio has the microphone lines brought to a patch bay (tie lines), never crosspatch a
microphone line when phantom is applied or the monitor volume is raised. This could cause
damage to your monitor speakers or, if passive ribbon microphones are involved, it could
cause ribbon failure.

Power Supply Input Module

The power OFF/ON switch and the Power Input Module
are located on the rear side of the power supply (Image

1). The Power Input Module (Image 2) serves multiple
functions, and is integral to the design of the power
supply. It serves as a means to connect and remove the
AC mains cable, it houses the AC line fuses, provides a
convenient method of voltage changeover, and also
serves as an RF line filter.

AC power is supplied to the unit via a removable IEC

Image 1

be removed to gain access to the door to change fuses or set the unit to a different AC input
voltage.

Fuse replacement

Two fuses are used to protect the circuitry of the power supply, one
on each side of the mains line. To inspect or replace the line fuses
(necessary when changing voltage settings), first remove the power
cord. Insert a medium size flat-blade screwdriver into the lip at the
top of the module and gently pry the door open (Image 3). Be
careful not to damage the The fuses are located inside two carriers,
each marked with an arrow pointing to the right. These carriers can
be pulled out with the tip of a screwdriver blade or a pair of needle
nose pliers (Image 4). Once the carriers are removed, the fuses can
be pulled out with your fingers. Replacing the fuse carriers is the
reverse of removal. They can only be inserted with the arrow facing
to the right and they should go in very easily.

type business machine cable that plugs into the bottom
section of the Power Input Module. The power cord must

Image 2

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