Best Royer Labs R-10 Alternatives

Based on 8 reviews

This no frills studio classic is more than just an old BBC broadcast mic. I use it all the time for 1) drum overheads to smoothen the top end of cymbals and fatten out the sound of the drums; 2) on guitar amps to thicken and add depth to either an SM57 or condenser mic - due to the figure of 8 pick up pattern, the mic enables you to balance room ambience with the direct signal; 3) for violins and cellos, this is my absolute go-to mic because it's silky smooth and very real sounding. Finally 4) I was also surprised how it sounded as a lead vocal on a very sparse song (acoustic guitar and vocal). It's not going to cut it in a highly produced pop / rock song, but given the space to show off it's intimate sound, the colouring is very pleasant. There is a real classic, older sound to this...

Based on 8 reviews

All in all this mic has proved exceptional. I use mostly on my trumpet but have recorded many instruments too now include grand pianos, guitars (acoustic and amp) , organs and percussion amongst others. I am writing this review nearly a year after purchase and I have only ever been amazed by its quality. I would add, it is definitely worth having a good pre amp for this, but when in place it is really lovely... I use mostly for recording but have taken out for live gigs (the sound guys at Ronnie Scott's were keen for me to leave it behind...) I would add it is expensive, I was lucky to have some money together at point of purchase, but I really believe in aiming for highest possible sound quality where possible. I would add, I have recently been in studios using £5000 microphones...

Based on 2 reviews

I am really impressed with this mic. I recorded myself singing and playing acoustic guitar at the same time and it was well balanced and captured details that dynamic mics just don’t. Very natural sounding. It might be better for someone with some experience recording, it’s very sensitive and should be handled with care. I used a pop filter and a FEThead inline preamp to boost the signal and protect the ribbon. I have also recorded an electric guitar amp and the recording was fantastic. I had it a little bit back away from the speaker so I could capture the sound of the room. I love the figure 8 pattern. Again, that might be something that a beginner would take some time to learn how to make the most of. Remember to use a high pass filter when you EQ. It really picks up low...

Based on 2 reviews

Built like a tank, this one owes its weight to the inbuilt preamp and the full-metal housing, which makes this a surprisingly sturdy Ribbon with live-applicability because you don't need a separate preamp (or at least not one of the super-fancy ones). Soundwise I tested this thing on Drums (OH), guitar cabs and Bass cabs and was really surprised. This easily outclasses everything ribbon-wise in this price-range especially and punches above its weight. It has a bit more Air than other ribbons, but never harsh or overly sibilant. I own two already and these are some true workhorses. A modern Classic

Based on 1 reviews

I bought a pair of these mics plannign on using them for guitar, kick drum, horns, etc. I saw someone on a forum mentionning using it on the snare and decided to try it, it is AMAZING! Because the ribbon is so long you can actually mic the side of the snare as well as the top head and you really get a great full representation of the sanre without having to use a bottom microphone. It really captures the crack extremely well as well as the snare wired and the snare ring. I didn't like it on the kick, haven't used it on guitar amsp yet. If you are micing drum kits you shoudl definitely give it a go, it's a beast.

Based on 12 reviews

I must say, I do not have any other ribbon mics. That's the one. Wanted to know what the fuzz about ribbon was and I have been using one for over 2 years, bought the second one few months ago - now I have a pair! It needs quite a lot of gain to make it heard on quiet instruments/vocals. And do not recommend it on solo or really quiet acustic recording, because the hiss (noise) level will be too evident. (maybe special preamp for ribbon helps?) But as you use it on louder instruments and loud vocals in fuller mixes, it does the trick! It takes very high sound pressure levels, no problem with guitar cabs. This ribbon sounds woody and compressed, it has upper-mid crispyness, if i may use such pseudo-acustical phrases. But the frequency response ends at 18kHz. I've used it for recording...

Based on 6 reviews

This mic is a real winner for anyone wishing to record a guitar amp, drum OH or use it as a room mic. Decision was to give this product a try over a cheap alternatives, as well as expensive mics in the range of several hundred euros or even more. I have to confess that although have not much expierence with proven "industry standards" as Royer or Coles, SE X1R will be perfectly OK for my small project studio needs. It has nice push in the highs, therefore covers more applications IMHO. Also, lower frequencies are nicely balanced with highs, which gives perfect rounded full sonic picture achievable ony by ribbon mic, at least to my ears. That is especially noticeable in overhead or room mic application. Cymbals with fullnes of toms is just a bliss to hear! Warmth of a ribbon is...

Based on 45 reviews

For anyone who hasn't tried ribbons before, and want a mic with some weight to the sound, rolled off highs and a nice "in the room" feel to the sound, I recommend these. I use them mostly as drum overhead or drum room, works very well in both applications to give weight to the drums - cymbals sounds very nice too. In OH applications I use them alongside an SDC (AKG C451, Line Audio CM2 or Audiotechnica ATM-450), works well to balance and not have to EQ so much to get different tones. That said, I find these ribbons take EQ well. Also used on Saxophone as Room mic and it blended very nicely with a Sennheiser MD-421 on the bell.

Based on 9 reviews

Very nice mic, I like the tone. I'm using it with Triton FetHead preamp attached to mic because signal from this mic is pretty low. With Triton It's great and clean. You get very nice sound if you are recording acoustic guitar, mandolin and Irish whistle (this is what I'm using mic for). With whistle you have to be careful not to blow air from whistle directly to mic to not damage ribbon or to get distorted sound. Built quality is superb. With mic, you get very nice and convinient shock mount and wooden case, but my mic is always on stand and ready for use. I only cover it with dust cover when I dont work with it.

Based on 12 reviews

Excellent as a first ribbon mic and a good second mic for those starting out. The sound - while not as precise as top-end ribbons - is really rounded and lovely, giving a warm glow to guitar cabs, vocals and strings especially, with a wonderfully solid and detailed low end. The advantage of an active ribbon is that you don't need a super clean preamp with 70dB gain - the preamps on most budget/mid-range audio interfaces with phantom power are powerful enough to drive this mic. Like all ribbons, the mic produces a small but noticeable amount of background hiss. It is therefore unsuitable for very sensitive applications where a lot of dynamic range needs to be captured or where hiss will be a problem. I have used a pair of these mics in blumlein and MS configurations with very good results...