Royer R-121 vs AEA R84 - there can be only one....for now.

[zakco]

Hello all,

I am currently shopping for a single ribbon mic and these two models both fit my budget.

I'm wondering which one would be a better "all-around" studio ribbon mic. I'm not so much looking for vintage character (I've got a 77-DX for that), but rather something really versatile and usable in a variety of situations (amps/horns/brass/drum room/ vocals maybe.....)

It will be used primarily with either a John Hardy M-1 or a GR MP2-NV

If you were to buy just one for your studio, which would it be and why?

-Z-

[DanV]

I would go with the r84. The royer is awesome but it seems to shine more on close mic stuff, while the r84 rocks on near to close micin'. I found the top end of the 121 to actually be a bit more nasal than the r84 when i got to hear the two together a few weeks back..

[jazzgitter]

I have the AEA R84 and all I can tell you is I got the most beautiful cello sound I have ever heard using the R84. It sounds great on anything where you want a natural unhyped sound or where you want to deemphasize "digital sound" if you know what I mean. It softens sounds in a very pleasing way and yet at the same time there is an immediacy it brings to the audio. Good ribbon mics like the R84 and the Royers are not only great sounding but to my ears becoming more of a necessity with many recordings these days. Get the R84 and when $ allows , the Royer.


Steve

[PlugHead]

Originally posted by DanV
I would go with the r84. The royer is awesome but it seems to shine more on close mic stuff, while the r84 rocks on near to close micin'. I found the top end of the 121 to actually be a bit more nasal than the r84 when i got to hear the two together a few weeks back..

That's why I love these discussions: everyone has their own opinion!

IMO, I think the Royer is more useful - used on exactly the same instruments you mentioned: brass, kit, amps, room, etc, not to mention violin, and used often with the same pre (Hardy M1) - FWIW, I think the "forward" mids and top end are the reason I like it over the R-84 - seems to have more "edge" in the mids that I desire, esp. with amps and brass. Also, it responds better with off-axis positioning than the R-84 - therefore, more versatile in my books.

Not to say the R-84 is a loser mic - far from it, but I think the Royer is more versatile, and useful on more subjects...

YMMV greatly, and best regards with your purchase!

[antti]

You forgot 4038. Killer on strings/brass/drums/electrics/pno. My 2 cents as always.

[Dave Martin]

Umm... curiosity makes me ask - how many of you own both the R84 and the Royer (or have at least done a direct comparison between the two)? And who is simply lauding the mic that they own?

[DanV]

I got to hear the 2 back to back a few weeks back....

I agree, the 4038 rules.

121 is better as far as accurate off axis stuff,,,,

word

[henryrobinett]

I own both. I love both. I'm not a gifted enough engineer to really give a respectable, specific answer, but in most cases I tend to favor the r84. It depends. I recently did some electric guitar tracking where I used both. The 121 was closer in and the r84 was back a bit (3:1 rule). 121 was slightly side addressed. The 84 just sounded better. Both sounded great. I tend also to favor ir for trumpet over the 121. I record trumpet and woodwinds quite a bit too. Millennia HV-3.

What was the question . . . ?

[PlugHead]

Originally posted by Dave Martin
Umm... curiosity makes me ask - how many of you own both the R84 and the Royer (or have at least done a direct comparison between the two)? And who is simply lauding the mic that they own?

Good point Dave: I don't own the R-84, but have used it in (ribbon mic) comparison sessions: this is mainly where I base my opinion of the R-84, tho i have used it a few more times, mostly on gtr cab, and drums - both were informative, and made me realize that the R-84 is a great sounding mic too.

As for my #1 ribbon pick, it's still the 4038, for almost anything, but as always, with exeptions...

regards,

[rainsinvelvet]

I own both, and I use the R84's more often then the R121. Now, I own 2 R84's and that could have something to do with how and what I use them on. Both the R84s and the 121 have there uses, but at the moment I tend to favor the R84s lately. Though I still luv the R121 on loudish electric guitar stuff.

ERic

[Saucyjack]

I own both...Short answer is they both rock.
I tend to use the use the Royer on Gtrs but have gotten some killer OH sounds and even the Occasional vocal or Acoustic Gtr.
THe R84 seems more useful on Vocals and Acoustic gtrs and I've had good results on Gtrs and Drum Duties as well.
And as always,a lot depends on the source and player and oh yeah the preamp...sometimes they can sound dramatically different with different pres.
Bottom line.
I don't think you can go wrong with either mic

[zakco]

Thanks for all the feedback....like always it's interesting to see such different opinions from different users.

A couple more questions:

1. How do they compare as far as ruggedness goes? My 77DX is very fragile and I'm hoping to get something a little more robust....

2. Does anyone find the size of the R84 to be problematic when trying to get it into position? (perhaps on an acoustic gtr) Is the royer better in this regard? Or is it really a non-issue....?


Unfortunately, I don't have the option to A/B the two together. One of the shops in my area has the Royer, but I'm not aware of any local dealers for AEA mics. If I went that way I would probably end up ordering it from an online dealer. I sure wish I had more opportunities for hands-on gear trials in my area.....

Thanks again,

-Z-

[Drumsound]

I believe Mercenary sells both. You could get both in from them and keep the one that works best for you.

[DanV]

Yeah, go to mercenary.

[shikawkee]

I own a Royer 121 and have since heard the AEA 84 and I can't really say one is better than the other. The Royer is easier to use for me right now but I hope to get an 84 someday soon.

[Dot]

Having used the R-121, R84 and 4038 all quite a bit, I'd chose the R84 as best all-around ribbon mic. The R-121 would be my pick mainly for guitar amps, an additional kick mic sometimes, and the occasional drum OH. The 4038 would get my pick for horns and strings. The R84 doesn't get too dark and does a lot of various sources well, and handles vocals better than the 121 or 4038.

[Kubilay]

So, where does the M160 fit in all this?

[NathanEldred]

The R84 has a larger low end, less of a bump in the high mids, and a little more in the air frequencies. The R121 is centered more in the midrange with a wide bump around 1k, more attenuated in the extreme highs, and attenuated in the extreme lows. To my ears, the R84 generally comes off as more mellow, where the 121 sounds more forward and aggressive. YMMV.

[Fuel]

So which one is better on Vocals and Acoustic Guitar?

[Acko]

I love the royers, coles, and AEA mics. All pure class. The coles is very special mic indeed and is my favourite for many sources. However I would recomend the r84 as the best all rounder because it is also a stellar vocal mic.