This ribbon mic is made exclusively for studio use due to its incredible clarity and depth as well as its extreme fragility. Arguably the most unique feature of this mic is its reliance on phantom power, which normally destroys ribbon mics but is necessary to power this one. It pays off with a really nice, rich tone that is very useful.

OVERALL OPINION

Royer has done a great job here. This mic is one of my favorites. If you like the sound of a particular room and want it to be part of your recording, these need to be a part of your arsenal. I've been using mine for over six months at the studio I work at, and we can't get enough of them over here! I think it's pretty amazing how well they pick everything up. The tone is generally rich and colorful, if not the most accurate representation of the sound. However, that's not really what they are used for (at least not for me personally). I've used them as room mics on drums, pianos, and amps (guitar and bass), and they work wonders to the overall sound. I've also set one up on a piano with two AKG C12s, and I really enjoyed the sound that the combination achieved. One thing that sets them apart from other ribbon mics is that you don't have to be careful about signals being too loud. With most ribbon mics its easy to destroy the ribbon if the signal is too loud. You probably still wouldn't want to put it too close to a snare or an amp just to be safe (and because it isn't really made for that kind of recording anyway.) Also, know that if the mic is dropped or mishandled the ribbon has a very good chance of breaking so extreme caution must be taken. I haven't really had the opportunity to try many other ribbon mics, but the few that I did try didn't come close to this one. They are really expensive but if you're ready to use them they are totally worth it. I would recommend them to any studio owner, or anyone who wants to capture the sound of the room that they are recording in.