Royer R-10 Ribbon Mic Review / Test (vs. R144, SM7b, M160, KU5a)

[@ShawnMilo]

I never thought I'd say "That SM7b really brings out the high end!"

[@gaigedespain3857]

this makes me glad i went with the m160 and happy that you're getting more ribbons because i love them

[@jeopena315]

Nobody: Bandrew when he gets strickers: *strong grunting*

[@testabeatdrums]

This is an accurate and funny comment lol

[@arixshow]

Thank you for the review of the Royer R10! Been hoping you would review it someday and it must have slipped by in my notification stream. I’m excited and thankful none the less.

[@patrickchase5614]

Nice. I love the R121, and it sounds like they got very close with the baby version. The R121 is made in the US IIRC. Now you need to get your hands on a Samar VL37 and/or a Mesanovic 2. Those go up to 25+ kHz, but retain the inherent ribbon smoothness IMO. The Neumann sounded super-detailed after all of those ribbons, but I think that the aforementioned high-frequency ribbons would make for an interesting comparison.

[@steverok67]

I just recorded my Rickenbacker 330, clean, through a Fender Hot Rod Deluxe, using this microphone, and it's a breakthrough for me, because I feel like I am finally hearing the buttery smooth Rickenbacker chime I have always wanted to hear. People who think they can come here and listen to someone record 40 seconds of music and form a definitive opinion, especially some of the harsh ones here, are completely missing the point. Recording and making music is a lifetime commitment, and buying something like this is an investment, for which the return you get, you won't know until years of use and experimentation. The bottom line is you can't truly evaluate these things until you own them, and a microphone like this can offer a buttery smooth quality to captured sources that most other mic's don't offer, so, you have to try it on all kinds of sources to figure out where it fits in to getting "your sound". This new discovery, alone, makes it an essential tool for me, and it's stuff like this that keeps me interested and excited about making music. Looking forward to learning more as I go. Cheers y'all, and thanks, as always, to Podcastage for the informative and entertaining content.

[@anonymusum]

My fav ribbon mic was and still is the Beyer M160. Although the AEA made a good job.

[@Podcastage]

The m160 really is special.

[@patrickchase5614]

Does anybody here know how supercardioid ribbons like the Beyer and AEA work? The inherent or "native" pattern of a ribbon transducer is figure-8, I understand how they take dynamic and capacitor transducers and build other patterns by messing with the labyrinthine porting in the back of the capsule - can/do they do the same with a ribbon?

[@officialWWM]

You should try the Rode NTR, its awesome!

[@Rivenworld]

Oh God, he's got his U87 out, is this an extension of his manhood? You decide lol

[@momagz9995]

Nice “Harumph I Say” Timcast deck.

[@lance134679]

Balance frequency response (for a ribbon), partially made in the USA, affordable, what more do you want? Not really designed for voice over, more for taming overly bright sources (such as electric guitar or brass) or if you want a vintage sound. Probably a good match for mid-side recording with the M160.

[@reggiep75]

0:57 - Ahh man, that sticker punch was one the best ever. The slap was wicked 😂😂😂

[@eternalism8274]

First, there was the Who, destroying instruments. Now, bandrew and stickers 😱

[@johnkotches8320]

I really enjoyed the AEA, but at a little more than twice the price it ought to sound better. The R10 was missing some “shimmer” on the acoustic guitar otherwise I thought it did quite well.

[@Rivenworld]

Cool sticker, very Art Deco lol (Bandrew still hates it ha ha)

[@Kobrar44]

The next time you feel like dropping 3k on a mic, I think you should consider the Earthworks SV33. It offers a significantly different approach to sound to the usual popular choices.

[@muchammadnurwibowo8255]

Agree! compare to u87 or earthworks sr314 just to get the idea

[@stupendousmusic4190]

I'm a big ribbon fan! The Beyerdynamic M 160, Shure KSM313, and Audio-Technica AT4080 and 4081 are my favorites. The AEA mics are beyond reproach, and the Cloud ribbon mics are great too! At 135 dB SPL you probably won't have to worry about damaging the ribbon. Royer makes the dBooster which is meant to be used with the R10. It would have been interesting to hear the back of the mic with and without the polarity reversed.

[@Rod-Wheeler]

Great Review as usual!!

[@Kragatar]

As someone else mentioned, I think that tiny plosive you gave it really did knock out some of the high end clarity.

[@bobpeticolas121]

Very nice. Thanks for the effort. I think what you're missing is that the rear of this mic has a completely different character than the front. It is really like having two different mics. The rear has more high end. That "realism" you're looking for on the acoustic guitar is delivered in spades by the REAR of this mic!

[@eternalism8274]

i'd like more comparison demos of the back of Fig 8 polar pattern mics or mic settings, since i was surprised to find that the back of my large dia cond mic when set to Fig 8 is quite different than front side.

[@bobpeticolas121]

@@eternalism8274 not a comparison, but Royer has video/audio with the back of the R10 recording acoustic guitar. They have a patented offset corrugated ribbon technology that makes the front and back sound different.

[@cyberdefenseddi]

Always enjoy your reviews. Well put together and I get a occasional laugh :)

[@mendezviolin]

Hi Bandrew!! Would you recommend this mic for acoustic violin recordings? Thanks in advance! :)

[@carloseropian1594]

nice review! i love ribbon mics i wish you could do the review of the AT4081 one day

[@lawrencerasmus]

You need to review matched pair mics for xy recording, preferably cheaper ones

[@yourforeignlocal]

Agreed, I was recently looking to get some and having no common review site, I had to look for and compare them all over the place without standardised tests and equally fair variables (recording venue, equipment, voice/instruments etc)

[@brockmannolaf7182]

That is a good idea.

[@gyozakeynsianism]

You hit the door! Bravo! I have to say the fonts they use are really pretty. About being assembled in Burbank: When we see a "MADE IN" sticker that actually means final assembly. So "assembled in Burbank" basically means "Made in the USA." This also goes to the point that while something may be "Made in China" the value added by Chinese workers may be tiny. Think about all the intellectual property and manufacturing that happens in places like the US, Japan, Taiwan and Germany that goes into "Made in China" or "Made in Thailand" products.

[@DJAultric]

please review the shure sm35 xlr... its really good for a headworn microphone and i want to hear your thoughts about it

[@Hablmet]

Man, the R10 sounds great on electric when mixed in with that shure. And while I like pleasant and warm sound, on that acoustic I just felt it didn't sound good, it felt muted, kind of dead. Spoken word is uhh.. kind of whatever since that's not its main purpose. I guess this could be a great mic for mixing in with an SM57 for a reasonable chunk of cash.

[@eladto]

I think your voice sounded the best ever with it. Also, funny as always :)

[@csb65536]

Ok, I had to put on my headphones to really hear the detailed differences between all. I personally thought it sounded extremely well with your spoken voice, even compared to the more expensive Beyerdynamics. As for the electric guitar, it worked ok with the 57. I like a ribbon on an acoustic, but again, not alone, and mainly on a rosewood body. I too, have a MXL R144 and for the money they are nice mics. Just limited applications. Another great video!

[@steverok67]

When I sing into it, there are no issues with sibilance. That, alone, makes it valuable for vocal use, at least on occasion. It also does a nice job on 12-string acoustic guitar, especially when paired with a second mic, like a condenser. Will be trying it out on drums in either a 1-mic or 2-mic setup, later today.

[@Podcastage]

Thanks for sharing your thoughts on it. I guess that would be a great use for vocals if you have a super sibilant voice. Use on a 12-string seems interesting as well. And I'm sure it'll sound great on drums. You should record a video sample for the next person researching the R121, that'd be awesome!

[@steverok67]

@@Podcastage I am inspired by the videos you and others make for KZbin, especially the ones that are efficient and helpful, like yours. I'm good with audio but not video. I don't even know how to sync an audio and video source. Would prefer to have a portable device which can capture simultaneous video and audio from separate sources. Got lots of learning to do.

[@LanceisLawson]

The best mic for my voice I ever used was a beyer M160. It surpassed the vintage U67 that was the studio's best mic. Sooner or later I'll get one.

[@itsmedarkie6369]

Holy poop that door shot was insane.

[@d.y.7875]

I see you have a weird mic period, B. UPD: This mic is quite interesting from a studio recording standpoint.

[@meckel_3474]

Ooo gear that i cant afford. Edit: Love the vids.

[@ludovicmorelon6771]

Nice comparison. I would say from best sounding to less interesting : 1. M160 2. KU5a 3. R10 4. SM7B 5. R144 Neumann is great but not really in same sound and price leagues.

[@kylemunley]

I love a good ribbon microphone. This Royer R10 sounds quite nice, though I still love-LOVE-the AEA KU5a.

[@kylemunley]

P.S. - Fine. FINE! I subscribed, now please stop slapping me, sir.

[@ubacow7109]

Can you review the Monoprice mics? They seem like increible value for tubed & ribbon mics

[@Andre_Ang]

I think this mic is EXTREMELY smooth holy but I personally think that there is a lack of high end to the voice well u can just EQ the thing but if u can pay an extra 99 dollars to get the warm audio 87 i'd think it would be more worth it as there is a slight more high end and it is also an extremely smooth mic as well . The Rode Nt1 is an alternative if u dont have enough money :)

[@muchammadnurwibowo8255]

Figure 8 sides quite good rejecting & sounds lively in untreated room! This baby r121 similarly wins on both guitars. Vocals, m160 & ku5a ftw

[@Sr.LaGGarto]

very similar the SM-7B with the R10 to record your voice. thanks for the comparison

[@NathanOakley1980]

Ok, not a bad review. You could have given more information regards how the mids are on the mic?!

[@recordingwithrev3496]

I actually like the m160 and the shure sm7. Loved the Royer with the 57

[@gaurav.anirbandutta]

Can you review the EVO SR1 Microphone that comes with the EVO Start Recording Bundle?

[@d0reo586]

Can you do a Behringer tm1 review? You're the only person i would want to see review this mic. (sorry for bad english)

[@annekedebruyn7797]

I love the R10. Probably would neve ruse it on voice but its killer on instruments for sure.

[@math.lacroix]

Hey bandrew the r10 has a different sound on the back of the mic could be interesting to listen to this

[@fluphybunny930]

Full manufacturing in the States add another $200... still a good price?

[@mixwizard2310]

Thank you forExcellent... "spot on" reviews .....M160 studio/live for me as its a well proven world beater. In my youth we used `STC 4038 ribbons....in the studio we could gain higher frequencies by angle changes in the direction of vocal positioning such as top of mic out or in for lower frequencies.

[@kevingriffin8854]

Why does the mxl 144 get so much hate? It sounded decent to me

[@youtub-fj8mu]

I love how dark and dull this sounds, but it just doesn't work with voiceovers. Maybe singing along with lots of strings? Sort of keeping the vocal and instruments separate (and drum overheads ofc)

[@Podcastage]

Yeah maybe for BG vocals as well where you want to separate the main bright crispy vocals and the backing tracks.

[@officialWWM]

Still waiting for you to do the Rode NTR! Your videos are getting funnier and funnier 😂

[@GilbertoMzD]

Could you review the Austrian Audio OC18?

[@bigtastyben5119]

If I spent 3k on a microphone you damn right I'd find an excuse to use it for anything and everything, need to get my monies worth

[@Hugmir]

I had no idea SM7B was a bright mic.

[@eternalism8274]

at least based on yt vids, SM7b is my least fav. dull and muffled. i guess i could get it to work for me, maybe engage its bass cut and treb boost switches. i should find if this ch demos them

[@thrabitoffical]

😢Sir when I set my mic level 17% I'm unable to use the mic for my recordings , even if I'm using gain it's recording so much noise , please help could you please make a noise a video on post processing of this microphone please humble request please reply

[@swingarmer]

I was hoping you were going to mic a 63 vibroverb on the verge of saturation.

[@applecrazy1]

Hey! Could you please test the MOJAVE MA-200 tube microphone?

[@Podcastage]

I’ve got one and I”m building up to it.

[@applecrazy1]

@@Podcastage Please!! I want to buy that one, but theres no reviews online...

[@Pentti_Hilkuri]

I don't need any more microphones but I can always use a little more Bandrew.

[@Vrainy]

another of these mics i couldn't even have

[@steverok67]

Your microphone reviews come across as mini Wes Anderson movies.

[@Podcastage]

Haha. Thank you very much.

[@mastermachetier5594]

You should try the golden age ribbon mics

[@razielmantzur2837]

That affordable mxl sure sounds great

[@Podcastage]

That's awesome that you enjoy the more affordable MXL. If you like it it's a pretty affordable way to get used to some ribbons and play around with them. Thanks for sharing your thoughts.

[@soldieroftafari]

Please try a Barbaric Amplification Mic!!! Ba-8g is the Sony inspired choice

[@soldieroftafari]

Also Any one of the 3U Audio mics vs the neumann!

[@Prookles]

Me: I like the sound of this mic. Bandrew: It comes in around $500 Me:....how much for just the sticker?

[@eternalism8274]

theres a crumpled one for sale pretty cheap

[@demetriforakis]

Bro listen we all want to hear you on the Lauten Atlantis or the Clarion.

[@Tolakram]

Thanks!

[@Tolakram]

Edit button seemed broken when thanking, and I can't edit the comment. lol Worth it for any ribbon mic review!

[@Podcastage]

That's how it looks! Thank you so much Tolakram!

[@KingDracSiege]

This thang hot

[@Tritlo]

I"m just here to hear a more from the U87 tbh

[@PeacefulSlumber]

That's a pretty sexy microphone.

[@ramencurry6672]

Finally!

[@Dobrovinskiy]

cool mic

[@Hermiel]

Best to buy one of each just to play it safe.

[@timmypena241]

I really want to buy the R144 I’m sure the phase is coming from your room 🙄 don’t ruin it for me!

[@phantomflame0658]

Did you buy it? Im really considering it for recording metal guitar and also just to use in voice chat/video games

[@keithgendler8727]

I'm feeling pressure on my midsection.

[@PWFenton]

Sure sounds to me like you hurt that mike with your plosive demonstration. I swear it loses it's high end clarity after the pop.

[@Podcastage]

If it was damaged by a breath, then no one should buy this with the intent to use this on vocals even with a pop filter.

[@PWFenton]

@@Podcastage I'm curious though... can you hear a difference after tho deliberate pop? I feel like I can.

[@youtub-fj8mu]

​@@PWFenton I can't

[@galxrax6389]

never stop singing !!!

[@jakp8777]

Everything is assembled somewhere. Good luck in a global economy having something 100% made in USA. At least some people in Burbank have jobs assembling microphones. The Burbank IKEA is also my favorite IKEA in the LA area, Santa Ana is by far the worst.

[@MartinMartin-yi9to]

Would you care to explain how a mic has phase issues. I'm all ears...

[@Podcastage]

The mic itself does not have phase issues but the fact that it captures audio from both sides makes it susceptible to comb filtering when you're in a space with a lot of reflections. The sound source hits the front of the ribbon with the wave in one position, and the reflection hits the rear of the ribbon at different time which means it's at a different point in the wave which causes a little bit of funky sound. Comb filtering.

[@Thomaswedelgreen]

Hahaha “stickers!”

[@Trancetechniqueradio]

Beyerdynamic M160

[@jobstmonter3910]

When you can geht a M500 from Beyerdynamic is a Ribbon bild for Vocal on Stage

[@ZachariahConnor]

Man this thing is dark on voice over

[@wezzlyn]

I really really don't like the sound of ribbon mics. I don't get the love for them. Anyway, SM7B wins the comparisons.

[@eternalism8274]

i really dont like the sound of SM7b in yt vids: dull and muffled. i recognize its signature muffling, doesnt work w my ears. i like the brightness and clarity of the Yeti large dia cond mic, when aimed right, w Cardioid pattern, not too far away. d/k about ribbons at yt vids, no one uses, so am glad he's covering ribbons now (gtr cab & voice)

[@kennethbailey7105]

That plosive tho

[@pingpongowo]

Cover your arm with your elbow

[@redscott7179]

do it, Bandrew

[@Podcastage]

Cover your elbow with your arm!

[@earthlydescent]

And then you can fire a Ultraman-like Specium Ray!

[@envisiotube]

Without equing, it's simply not good. So impossible to judge from this review.

[@davidmarley8387]

This mic is booty juice

[@mid0050]

give me a microphone😭

[@Alexandra-Rex]

Buyerdynamic, huh 🙄

[@kei-lk2zv]

shit is so muffled hahaha

[@brokenegg4714]

Wow the royer is overrated

[@Trumplican]

holy shite someone can have 275K subs from microphone reviews?? Man, people have no lives these days..

[@chrissneider7550]

Piece of crap...$500 ?????? no thanks I pass dude...

[@mixanyarstudio3071]

what a BAD, BAD, BAD sounding mic

[@steverok67]

Years of auditory abuse does that.

[@Тёма-б3э]

And why did you on a hat, your head is frozen, or are you just bald?

[@Podcastage]

I’m frozen. I live in Antarctica.

[@dickginkowski6071]

Surprisingly, the Royer sounded a little better with your voice than the Neumann. That said, the ribbons sounded fairly close to each other except for the MXL. For spoken word, I like the Royer over the Neumann.

[@GeorgeWWakim]

Exactly! I thought the R10 shined on his voice. Plus, only the body of the R10 is farmed out to Asia while the guts are all made in the USA by Royer. And those Royer ribbons are stretched and tuned by blowing breath on them. So much junky opinions going around. Watch better videos found on Sweetwater by Royer. Bandrew I’m disappointed you don’t do your homework before recording your money making videos. And we all get that you hate stickers. So childish!

[@thrabitoffical]

😢Sir when I set my mic level 17% I'm unable to use the mic for my recordings , even if I'm using gain it's recording so much noise , please help could you please make a noise a video on post processing of this microphone please humble request please reply

[@thrabitoffical]

😢Sir when I set my mic level 17% I'm unable to use the mic for my recordings , even if I'm using gain it's recording so much noise , please help could you please make a noise a video on post processing of this microphone please humble request please reply

[@thrabitoffical]

😢Sir when I set my mic level 17% I'm unable to use the mic for my recordings , even if I'm using gain it's recording so much noise , please help could you please make a noise a video on post processing of this microphone please humble request please reply

[@thrabitoffical]

😢Sir when I set my mic level 17% I'm unable to use the mic for my recordings , even if I'm using gain it's recording so much noise , please help could you please make a noise a video on post processing of this microphone please humble request please reply

[@thrabitoffical]

😢Sir when I set my mic level 17% I'm unable to use the mic for my recordings , even if I'm using gain it's recording so much noise , please help could you please make a noise a video on post processing of this microphone please humble request please reply

[@thrabitoffical]

😢Sir when I set my mic level 17% I'm unable to use the mic for my recordings , even if I'm using gain it's recording so much noise , please help could you please make a noise a video on post processing of this microphone please humble request please reply

[@thrabitoffical]

😢Sir when I set my mic level 17% I'm unable to use the mic for my recordings , even if I'm using gain it's recording so much noise , please help could you please make a noise a video on post processing of this microphone please humble request please reply