If you're a studio engineer, the R-121-MP from Royer Labs probably needs no introduction: this is the matched pair of studio ribbon microphones that put ribbon microphones back on the map again. Where ribbon microphones were always prized for their sound but considered largely finicky, the R-121 is equally prized for its sound and is about as durable as a ribbon microphone can be.

The mic is known for its warm and natural sound, free from the hyped-up high-end usually associated with condenser mics. It's perfect for anything from vocals to drum rooms to guitar amps to symphonic/choral sections. With its figure-8 polar pattern, it can pick up sound equally from behind or in front of the capsule. The R-121 boasts high SPL handling for close capturing of instrument cabinets, drums, and other transient-rich sources without noise and distortion.