ROYER R-10 HOT ROD LIMITED EDITION
Royer Labs R-10 Hot Rod: 25th Anniversary Limited-Edition Ribbon Microphone
The R-10 Hot Rod is a special 25th Anniversary limited-edition ribbon microphone from Royer Labs, designed as an enhanced version of the popular R-10 model. This "Hot Rod" edition features a custom Anniversary Edition transformer that provides 5dB more output compared to the standard R-10, delivering a punchier feel and increased low-midrange focus. The microphone also boasts a distinctive 25th Anniversary black-accented trim package for a unique aesthetic appeal.
The R-10 Hot Rod is a limited-edition ribbon microphone that celebrates Royer Labs' 25th Anniversary, offering enhanced features and a unique sonic signature for discerning audio professionals and enthusiasts.
Key Features:
- Custom Anniversary Edition Transformer: The R-10 Hot Rod is equipped with a custom Anniversary Edition transformer, offering 5dB more output than the standard R-10. This results in a punchier sound with increased low-midrange focus.
- High SPL Handling: Like the original R-10, the R-10 Hot Rod is capable of handling extremely high sound pressure levels (SPLs), making it suitable for capturing loud sound sources such as guitar amplifiers and drums (160dB @ 1kHz).
- Internally Shock-Mounted Ribbon Transducer: The ribbon transducer is internally shock-mounted, providing excellent protection against shocks and vibrations. This feature enhances the ribbon element's durability, making the microphone suitable for live sound applications.
- Low Proximity Effect: The R-10 Hot Rod exhibits lowered proximity effect, making it an excellent choice for close-miking instruments and singers. This reduces bass buildup when close-miking guitar cabinets and acoustic instruments.
- Compact Size and Mounting System: The microphone's compact size and flexible mounting system allow for versatile and unobtrusive positioning in various recording and live sound scenarios.
- Patented Offset Ribbon Technology: The R-10 Hot Rod features Royer's patented offset-ribbon design, positioning the ribbon element toward the front of the transducer. This design allows for high SPL handling on the front side and a brighter response when recording lower SPL sources on the backside (3 feet or closer; phase-reversed position).
- Built-In Windscreen: The built-in windscreen provides superior protection from air blasts and plosives, reducing proximity effect and allowing for close-miking with less bass buildup.
- Open Grill Design: The open grill design minimizes standing waves and comb-filtering effects, resulting in a smooth frequency response, phase linearity, and lack of self-distortion.
- 5-Year Warranty with First Re-Ribbon Free: The R-10 Hot Rod, like all Royer microphones, comes with a 5-year warranty, and the first re-ribbon is free.
Sound Characteristics
- Electric Guitars: The R-10 Hot Rod captures the low end, midrange warmth, and punch associated with Royer ribbon mics, making it ideal for studio and live electric guitar applications. It provides additional bite in the highs without the need for multi-miking.
- Drums: The microphone delivers full-bodied drum recordings with realistic transient response. Its figure-8 pattern is suitable for room miking applications, providing superb ambience and depth.
- Stringed Instruments: The R-10 Hot Rod excels in recording violins, ukuleles, acoustic guitars, banjos, and other stringed instruments, offering warm and natural tones.
- Vocals: Vocals recorded with the R-10 Hot Rod sound warm and natural. The microphone's EQ-friendly characteristics allow for experimenting with different sounds using EQ adjustments.
- Offset Ribbon Technology: The patented offset-ribbon design contributes to the microphone's versatility, allowing for different tonal characteristics based on the placement of the sound source.