The R-122V tube ribbon mic takes the Royer-pioneered concept of active ribbon microphone technology to an unprecedented level by incorporating vacuum-tube electronics into the same proven transducer system used in the venerable R-121 and R-122 ribbon microphones. The high operating voltage of the vacuum tube provides a headroom capability far beyond that capable from a standard phantom power supply. In real-world use, this translates into unmatched clarity, detail and airiness.

The Electronics
The Royer R-122V's head amplifier consists of a low-noise, triode-connected military-grade 5840 vacuum tube. Designed for a wide range of applications, the R-122V microphone offers superb transient response and the drive capabilities only a vacuum tube head amplifier can provide. The circuit is devoid of typical vacuum tube coloration.

The R-122V's triode-configured cathode-follower circuitry enables the microphone to drive long cable runs without sonic degradation or high-frequency loss. This capability is further enhanced by the R-122V mic's dedicated power supply that provides ample current to the vacuum-tube electronics. Induced noise is virtually eliminated by the microphone's fully balanced output that is electrically isolated with a special-purpose Jensen output transformer.

Like Royer's phantom-powered R-122 (#581143), the R-122V has far more level than non-powered ribbon microphones and its impedance matching circuitry places a perfect load on the ribbon element at all times. This allows the use of a wide variety of mic preamps without concern for gain and impedance matches; two critical issues with ribbon microphones. All of the R122V's increased output comes from its large, specially designed toroidal transformer, so there is no additional noise associated with the microphone's higher output.

Like all Royer products, the R-122V mic comes with a lifetime warranty to the original owner (the tube warranty is 10 years).