I just bought the R-10 from you guys through reverb; I can’t wait to get it! From what I can tell in this video, the 121 definitely has a bit more definition to both top and low end as well as overall warmth, but it’s also 3 times the price. With that being said, the R-10 sounds amazing all on it own with prestige clarity and warmth and will be a very welcomed addition to my microphone collection! The main reason I got it is cause I just bought a Fender Reverb Deluxe and I’ve been looking up on the best way to mic it and using a 57/121 combo seems to be the industry standard so this will be as close I can can get to that sound. Great video and thank you!
I personally really enjoyed the way the R10 sounded like a R-121 blended with a bit of SM57. Isn't this what we do at mix time anyway most of the time? At the R10's current pricepoint, how could you not want one? Thanks for the shootout.
Listened to so many of these comparisons and a big thank you to Royer for making the R10 coz frankly IN A MIX of a modern music genre they are so close such that the differences are negligible! The smart thing for the budget has to be to get the stereo matched pair R10s!! 😊
The R-10 sounds fantastic! I already have a 121, but at that price point, I would consider a matched pair of R-10s over any other ribbon mics for my next purchase.
I use a R-121 and a 57 on almost every guitar amp I record. The difference is pretty distinct between two. They complement each other very well. The R-10 sounds like the 121 with a bit of a 57 in it. This is good if you only use one mic bad if you want to use two. My option save your money and get a 121 if you need one. It will help you more in the long run.
Brian Tochilin Yeah, it sounds like they tried to make that 57/121 sound in one mic but I’ve got no personal use for bright ribbons. When I use a ribbon it’s because I like the way they thicken up higher frequencies especially on cymbals and brighter guitars.
Personally I preferred the 121 in the first 2 examples, and the R10 in the third. I recently purchased the 121, so it may seem that I am biased but believe me, I debated between the two and wish I would have preferred the R 10 and saved several hundred dollars, but Sweetwater also had a mic shootout with about twelve different microphones which included both Royers. You can't go wrong with the 10, but I found the 121 to be more pleasing to my taste, and it pairs very well with a Senheisser 421.
To my ears the 121 has a fuller and balanced bandwidth giving it more definition, the R-10 is lacking a bit of air and sparkle of the 121 for lack of better words. That said, in a track with drums etc... you probably wouldn’t notice. The price point is attractive. Nice review thanks!
If the R10 was $2k people would probably believe it was the GOAT. I honestly have a love hate for R121 because they really need a tricky eq adjustment to get the mud out and presence in. The R10 obviously has a cool mid bump crunch and less low end that sounds especially cool for crunchy tones on guitar amps that need to cut. I also hate love the mid screwed crunch of an sm57. Whatever works. Price is definitely a factor for most people. Thanks for the video and cheers to Royer for making some of the best mics.
The R-10 sounds a little brighter possibly harsher around 5 - 8'ish K? Could kill some of the clarity in the high end? It's minor though and still sounds great!
I prefer the R-10 over the R-121, and even 122. I was going to sell my R-10 due to it being so bright with saxophone and brass... until it showed me how it could record guitar. The R-121 sounded muddy to me in this demo, possibly too much proximity. However, being that both microphones are the same distance from the source, it proves again that the R-10 really shines on guitar cabs. I would much rather have the R-10 rather than mash the 57 and 121. With very slight EQ the R-10 will fit right in, also with bass cabs, strings, and even baritone vocs. It is a bright, but not overly bright ribbon mic. Unlike anything yet.
That’s a tough one because they both perform really well. The R-10 has more clarity in the mids, and the top end is more pronounced in a good way! I’d say it depends on the role of the guitar part, what the material calls for, and the guitar + rig. Good stuff!
The 121 was better at picking up dynamics with the distorted humbuckers. But I found the 10 better on the cleaner tones. For $1000 diff... I’m buying the R10
The R-10 is very nice, but the R-121 sounds beautiful. It's probably worth saving up another 300-400, for a second-hand R-121, if thinking about getting a new R-10. Unless you need a stereo pair, then the R-10s price is more attractive. But, for a stereo pair at that price range, for drum overheads say, there's also the Beyerdynamic M160, which is similarly priced. So, I think I'd choose a R-121 for close micing a guitar cab, paired with an SM57. Then get Beyerdynamic M-160 pair for drum overheads (unless you can afford a pair of Coles). AEA R-84 or R-88 are great for ribbon room mics. A collection of ribbon mics can be very a expensive thing to acquire!
R10 IS BRIGHTER AND PICKS UP MORE REVERB IF THAT IS WHAT YOU WANT I LIKE TO USE A 121 AND 57 ABOUT 1-3 INCHES AWAY AND A LDC 2-4 FT AWAY FOR ROOM AMBIENCE
We've really enjoyed this video at Royer - many thanks for creating this clear and informative R-121/R-10 demonstration.
I just bought the R-10 from you guys through reverb; I can’t wait to get it! From what I can tell in this video, the 121 definitely has a bit more definition to both top and low end as well as overall warmth, but it’s also 3 times the price. With that being said, the R-10 sounds amazing all on it own with prestige clarity and warmth and will be a very welcomed addition to my microphone collection! The main reason I got it is cause I just bought a Fender Reverb Deluxe and I’ve been looking up on the best way to mic it and using a 57/121 combo seems to be the industry standard so this will be as close I can can get to that sound. Great video and thank you!
I personally really enjoyed the way the R10 sounded like a R-121 blended with a bit of SM57. Isn't this what we do at mix time anyway most of the time? At the R10's current pricepoint, how could you not want one? Thanks for the shootout.
Listened to so many of these comparisons and a big thank you to Royer for making the R10 coz frankly IN A MIX of a modern music genre they are so close such that the differences are negligible! The smart thing for the budget has to be to get the stereo matched pair R10s!! 😊
The R-10 sounds fantastic! I already have a 121, but at that price point, I would consider a matched pair of R-10s over any other ribbon mics for my next purchase.
Quite a difference sonically! The R10 had a nice "upfront" quality. Much brighter but still very pleasing. Thanks for the shootout!
I use a R-121 and a 57 on almost every guitar amp I record. The difference is pretty distinct between two. They complement each other very well. The R-10 sounds like the 121 with a bit of a 57 in it. This is good if you only use one mic bad if you want to use two. My option save your money and get a 121 if you need one. It will help you more in the long run.
Brian Tochilin Yeah, it sounds like they tried to make that 57/121 sound in one mic but I’ve got no personal use for bright ribbons. When I use a ribbon it’s because I like the way they thicken up higher frequencies especially on cymbals and brighter guitars.
Personally I preferred the 121 in the first 2 examples, and the R10 in the third. I recently purchased the 121, so it may seem that I am biased but believe me, I debated between the two and wish I would have preferred the R 10 and saved several hundred dollars, but Sweetwater also had a mic shootout with about twelve different microphones which included both Royers. You can't go wrong with the 10, but I found the 121 to be more pleasing to my taste, and it pairs very well with a Senheisser 421.
To my ears the 121 has a fuller and balanced bandwidth giving it more definition, the R-10 is lacking a bit of air and sparkle of the 121 for lack of better words. That said, in a track with drums etc... you probably wouldn’t notice. The price point is attractive. Nice review thanks!
Amazing both!
The R10 was a lil brighter and I preferred it personally. Maybe when using two mics like the 57 and 121 the results may change.
Thanks, your recording doing is excellent. I’m surprised when some other you tubers demo the 121, how crappy the recording is. Kudos to you!!
Great comparison! 121 sounds warmer and R-10 sounds bright!
If the R10 was $2k people would probably believe it was the GOAT. I honestly have a love hate for R121 because they really need a tricky eq adjustment to get the mud out and presence in. The R10 obviously has a cool mid bump crunch and less low end that sounds especially cool for crunchy tones on guitar amps that need to cut. I also hate love the mid screwed crunch of an sm57. Whatever works. Price is definitely a factor for most people. Thanks for the video and cheers to Royer for making some of the best mics.
The R-10 sounds a little brighter possibly harsher around 5 - 8'ish K? Could kill some of the clarity in the high end? It's minor though and still sounds great!
I prefer the R-10 over the R-121, and even 122. I was going to sell my R-10 due to it being so bright with saxophone and brass... until it showed me how it could record guitar. The R-121 sounded muddy to me in this demo, possibly too much proximity. However, being that both microphones are the same distance from the source, it proves again that the R-10 really shines on guitar cabs. I would much rather have the R-10 rather than mash the 57 and 121. With very slight EQ the R-10 will fit right in, also with bass cabs, strings, and even baritone vocs. It is a bright, but not overly bright ribbon mic. Unlike anything yet.
That’s a tough one because they both perform really well. The R-10 has more clarity in the mids, and the top end is more pronounced in a good way! I’d say it depends on the role of the guitar part, what the material calls for, and the guitar + rig. Good stuff!
amazing video my friend thank you
That's pretty close almost identical to my ears! Wow want a R10 now if it's more affordable option to R121.
The 121 was better at picking up dynamics with the distorted humbuckers. But I found the 10 better on the cleaner tones. For $1000 diff... I’m buying the R10
The R-10 is very nice, but the R-121 sounds beautiful. It's probably worth saving up another 300-400, for a second-hand R-121, if thinking about getting a new R-10. Unless you need a stereo pair, then the R-10s price is more attractive. But, for a stereo pair at that price range, for drum overheads say, there's also the Beyerdynamic M160, which is similarly priced. So, I think I'd choose a R-121 for close micing a guitar cab, paired with an SM57. Then get Beyerdynamic M-160 pair for drum overheads (unless you can afford a pair of Coles). AEA R-84 or R-88 are great for ribbon room mics. A collection of ribbon mics can be very a expensive thing to acquire!
I really liked it on the clean guitars ,its more open -yum
R10 IS BRIGHTER AND PICKS UP MORE REVERB IF THAT IS WHAT YOU WANT I LIKE TO USE A 121 AND 57 ABOUT 1-3 INCHES AWAY AND A LDC 2-4 FT AWAY FOR ROOM AMBIENCE
How is the R-10 on vocals? I have a wide vocal range and not the budget for a R-121.
121 is warmer but no dull. I prefer it. R10 is harsh
Not better or worse, just different, however I prefer the warmth and clarity of the 121
R-10 too much brighter. Would love to see a comparison on drums and brass.
Hard to tell the difference, so to save $, I'm going with the R10.
Preferred the slightly less bright R-121
R-10 sounds better! Better transients and better balanced sound. The 121 is a little bit too dark and thin.
The R-10 is fine if you are on budget and can not afford the R-121.
The R10 is better on clean sounds, the 121 is better on crunch and distortion sounds...interesting.