Probably the best comparison video of these mics on youtube....so well done, in this video the 121 sounded punchier, brighter, more scooped and a little fuller. So the pick would be for the 121, but the r10 also sounds great. I think the 121 would accomplish the blend with a 57 better than the r10. both are extremely worthy mics, I have owned both, currently only own the r10. I'm happy with it, and will continue to use it, but I do plan to add another 121 back into my life soon.
Great demo. Thanks for taking the time to do an accurate analysis!! From this demo and others, it seems that the R10 is much less good on high gain guitar tones. But they pair quite similarly when comparing clean tones. I imagine a lot of the tonal change has to do with the wind screen protection on the R10 making it have less exaggerated low end.
Thanks so much for posting this - this is an accurate and high quality A/B. No question to my ears - the 121 sounds much richer, fuller, airier, and has far more depth and nuances, and allows harmonics to come through more clearly, and it actually conveys more of the guitar's sustain. I agree with Saint Movies below that the R-10 sounds a bit more nasal on distorted tones. I'm really quite shocked, both at how much difference there actually is, and at how incredibly beautiful the sound from the 121 is. I may never be able to justify buying one, but I can dream. Maybe some day....
Please note that he mics the R-10 with the front end pointed to the amp. This produces less bass, less highs and more of a midrange focus. They sound more similar of you turn the R10 180 degrees. But in the end it's two completely different mics that excells in different areas, the R10 isn't intended to imitate the R121.
Many many many many many kudos for using the loop pedal to make sure you're using the same signal while doing the comparison! As an aside, am I imagining things, or is the R-121 just flat out a little louder than the R-10 on the distorted tone examples? Maybe the R-121 just has hotter output across the band? That alone would explain why many in the comments have a preference for it, before getting into the particular details of different frequency responses.
I don't think you are imagining things. I thought the same thing. The other comparisons I've seen on RUclips show less of a difference between the two mics than this comparison does, and I think part of it is that the R10 sounds quieter on the distorted samples, especially the Marshall.
For me the R10 sounds a lot more dynamic ...... the 121 sounds like it has a lot of compression on it ..... i'm curious if this is what equated to "smoother" for a lot of people? .... i'd wager that the R10 with some nice analog compression and a touch of EQ could sound very close to the 121 ........
Thanks for doing this, it's great. One quick question: Did you gain-match the two mics on the mic pre-amp or did you leave the mic pre level the same for both? Thanks.
He looped them so each performance and levels were exactly the same. I have two R-10s. If I were to have one (and in the future I will pony up) I'd get the 121. There is a reason it is one of the "go to" mics for guitar.
Wow... the two mics sounded fairly similar on the first two amps; R-121 was just a bit more opened up top. On that Marshall, though, the midrange on the R-121 was soooo much more pleasing that on the R-10. The R-10 had a harsh nasally quality two it and a weak midrange, while the R-121 had a weighty, smoothy midrange.
Great demo! Looking for something to pair with my SM57, and man...the 121 is the real. I just can't justify the price of the 121 for my amateur recordings!
I thought this was the case (so close that my speakers don't reveal the difference.) Happy with my R10 (especially since it a bit more rugged which is a net positive for me. That is, a working R10 will always sound better than a broken R121.)
The 121 has a slightly brighter but more importantly smoother top end. I own the later but both are great. 121 all day although both really are great ( note if you flip the R10 over it has a brighter side but even then it's not as smooth).
Low end is easy to add can be difficult to tame I have 4-r10, 4-121 and a matched set of 122 and can make one sound like the other just using one of my Shelfords channels Even the width of air the 121, 122 has can be introduced to the r10 They use the Same exact 2.5 mic offset transducer In assembly to 121’ transducer placement, body and grill are quite different and allow for a proximity effect that add lows and warmth as it’s moved closer to source I would and do take the r10 out for live use considering it’s tougher build and triple wind screen design It takes a good sound pressure hit with ease Throw a triton phantom blocker in line or a lifter to block 48v booboos Same with the others although the 122 is active I would still be remiss having juice on and hot swapping a big no no here Then there’s the 121 ribbon replacement cost when needed $$$ The R10 is a nice bang for the buck in ribbon land with the 5 year warranty but first year free transducer replacement Use it hard the first 6 months or so to test the limits If it does what you want your good if your sending it back for a change out You pushed something to hard or bounced it off of the drummers head either way your good just adjust that heavy hand That being said with the 10 Royer ribbons I own only one 121 has seen the mothership for repair
It’s best to audition both mics in your rig rather than relying on a video. There is a reputable engineer who says that he prefers the R10 but maybe it sounds better in his system
The 121 has better Transients and wins. The tonal balance of the R-10 is better (less highs is good to pair with a dynamic). But I would go with the 121 in this case. Together with a dynamic mic the high mids of the 121 could be too much fast! So the 121 would work also alone without any other mic... but then you miss maybe something... however I would take 121 and combine it with a 421, m201 ....
Put those tracks in a modern mix and EQ the guitars and frankly it won’t matter which mic you used. A stereo pair of r10s is incredible value for money. Yet in a mix I heard where the guitars were not the primary instrument the producer told me he’d used Golden Age ribbons! Where high end ribbons come into play is on sparse, retro tracks with few instruments where you can take advantage of their subtle differences, on modern, full, compressed tracks with tens of instruments the budget mics do just as well it seems? 😊
After having the opportunity to try them both side by side I'm glad I paid extra and bought the 121. The R10 is a great mic and on clean guitars or vocals you'd have a hard time telling the difference. For distorted electric guitars though the 121 won for me with its extra high and low end. Both are great though
@@ryanrguitarist with you on this. I got a matched pair of the R-10, but when you go into the crunch and overdrive the 121 is obviously a lot faster at picking up what the R-10 can't. Thankfully (for me) the R-10 does well still in recording clean guitar, I'll have to pony up for the R-121in the future, it really is that good. Good vid comparison btw, thanks
![Blox Fruits Dragon Rework Update [Full Stream]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/EqDAp8udhm0/mqdefault.jpg)
I pair the R10 with an SM57 and get close to the 121 at a fraction of the cost. Thank you for doing this demo. The 121 is the flagship for a reason
I do the same for metal distorted guitars.
Probably the best comparison video of these mics on youtube....so well done, in this video the 121 sounded punchier, brighter, more scooped and a little fuller. So the pick would be for the 121, but the r10 also sounds great. I think the 121 would accomplish the blend with a 57 better than the r10.
both are extremely worthy mics, I have owned both, currently only own the r10. I'm happy with it, and will continue to use it, but I do plan to add another 121 back into my life soon.
To me, R10 has me forgetting about worrying about phase with 121+57, as it kinda resembles the results of them together for me.
Royer’s demo video states that the R10 has about 5db lower output than the R121. Great demo video! Thanks
Great demo. Thanks for taking the time to do an accurate analysis!!
From this demo and others, it seems that the R10 is much less good on high gain guitar tones. But they pair quite similarly when comparing clean tones. I imagine a lot of the tonal change has to do with the wind screen protection on the R10 making it have less exaggerated low end.
R121 by a wide margin for me. Fuller and airier sound. R10 sounded a little nasal on the distorted tones.
Thanks so much for posting this - this is an accurate and high quality A/B. No question to my ears - the 121 sounds much richer, fuller, airier, and has far more depth and nuances, and allows harmonics to come through more clearly, and it actually conveys more of the guitar's sustain. I agree with Saint Movies below that the R-10 sounds a bit more nasal on distorted tones. I'm really quite shocked, both at how much difference there actually is, and at how incredibly beautiful the sound from the 121 is. I may never be able to justify buying one, but I can dream. Maybe some day....
Please note that he mics the R-10 with the front end pointed to the amp. This produces less bass, less highs and more of a midrange focus. They sound more similar of you turn the R10 180 degrees. But in the end it's two completely different mics that excells in different areas, the R10 isn't intended to imitate the R121.
I was like "ok, ok, they both sound pretty great" and then when we get to the Vox the difference is drastic. 121 is awesome.
Many many many many many kudos for using the loop pedal to make sure you're using the same signal while doing the comparison!
As an aside, am I imagining things, or is the R-121 just flat out a little louder than the R-10 on the distorted tone examples? Maybe the R-121 just has hotter output across the band? That alone would explain why many in the comments have a preference for it, before getting into the particular details of different frequency responses.
I don't think you are imagining things. I thought the same thing. The other comparisons I've seen on RUclips show less of a difference between the two mics than this comparison does, and I think part of it is that the R10 sounds quieter on the distorted samples, especially the Marshall.
r-10 was darker and higher out put and silkiness from the r121. I don't own either, and they both sound great, but I did prefer the r121.
For me the R10 sounds a lot more dynamic ...... the 121 sounds like it has a lot of compression on it ..... i'm curious if this is what equated to "smoother" for a lot of people? .... i'd wager that the R10 with some nice analog compression and a touch of EQ could sound very close to the 121 ........
Thanks for doing this, it's great. One quick question: Did you gain-match the two mics on the mic pre-amp or did you leave the mic pre level the same for both? Thanks.
He looped them so each performance and levels were exactly the same. I have two R-10s. If I were to have one (and in the future I will pony up) I'd get the 121. There is a reason it is one of the "go to" mics for guitar.
Wow... the two mics sounded fairly similar on the first two amps; R-121 was just a bit more opened up top. On that Marshall, though, the midrange on the R-121 was soooo much more pleasing that on the R-10. The R-10 had a harsh nasally quality two it and a weak midrange, while the R-121 had a weighty, smoothy midrange.
Great demo! Looking for something to pair with my SM57, and man...the 121 is the real. I just can't justify the price of the 121 for my amateur recordings!
I thought this was the case (so close that my speakers don't reveal the difference.) Happy with my R10 (especially since it a bit more rugged which is a net positive for me. That is, a working R10 will always sound better than a broken R121.)
L. Scott Music and the money saved
The 121 has a slightly brighter but more importantly smoother top end. I own the later but both are great. 121 all day although both really are great ( note if you flip the R10 over it has a brighter side but even then it's not as smooth).
Low end is easy to add can be difficult to tame
I have 4-r10, 4-121 and a matched set of 122 and can make one sound like the other just using one of my Shelfords channels
Even the width of air the 121, 122 has can be introduced to the r10
They use the Same exact 2.5 mic offset transducer
In assembly to 121’ transducer placement, body and grill are quite different and allow for a proximity effect that add lows and warmth as it’s moved closer to source
I would and do take the r10 out for live use considering it’s tougher build and triple wind screen design
It takes a good sound pressure hit with ease
Throw a triton phantom blocker in line or a lifter to block 48v booboos
Same with the others although the 122 is active I would still be remiss having juice on and hot swapping a big no no here
Then there’s the 121 ribbon replacement cost when needed
$$$
The R10 is a nice bang for the buck in ribbon land
with the 5 year warranty but first year free transducer replacement
Use it hard the first 6 months or so to test the limits
If it does what you want your good if your sending it back for a change out
You pushed something to hard or bounced it off of the drummers head either way your good just adjust that heavy hand
That being said with the 10 Royer ribbons I own only one 121 has seen the mothership for repair
It’s best to audition both mics in your rig rather than relying on a video. There is a reputable engineer who says that he prefers the R10 but maybe it sounds better in his system
The 121 has better Transients and wins. The tonal balance of the R-10 is better (less highs is good to pair with a dynamic). But I would go with the 121 in this case. Together with a dynamic mic the high mids of the 121 could be too much fast! So the 121 would work also alone without any other mic... but then you miss maybe something... however I would take 121 and combine it with a 421, m201 ....
I always use the 121 in the classic combination with a SM57, but sometimes I only pull up the 121 as it sounds great on its own.
Put those tracks in a modern mix and EQ the guitars and frankly it won’t matter which mic you used. A stereo pair of r10s is incredible value for money. Yet in a mix I heard where the guitars were not the primary instrument the producer told me he’d used Golden Age ribbons! Where high end ribbons come into play is on sparse, retro tracks with few instruments where you can take advantage of their subtle differences, on modern, full, compressed tracks with tens of instruments the budget mics do just as well it seems? 😊
R10 all the way except for maybe the clean sound. I appreciate how dark the R10 is.
Thanks for making this demo. What are your own thoughts?
After having the opportunity to try them both side by side I'm glad I paid extra and bought the 121. The R10 is a great mic and on clean guitars or vocals you'd have a hard time telling the difference. For distorted electric guitars though the 121 won for me with its extra high and low end. Both are great though
@@ryanrguitarist great, i had the same feeling from your video, thanks :)
@@ryanrguitarist with you on this. I got a matched pair of the R-10, but when you go into the crunch and overdrive the 121 is obviously a lot faster at picking up what the R-10 can't. Thankfully (for me) the R-10 does well still in recording clean guitar, I'll have to pony up for the R-121in the future, it really is that good. Good vid comparison btw, thanks
The reverb ruined the comparison with the weird unpredictable echos
Much prefer the 121, the R10 is is very mid-rangy