A Sound Paradigm
A Sound Paradigm is a feature-length documentary exploring the life and history of David Royer, an autistic creative and one of an elite group of microphone designers who elevated the art of recording. Dave’s electronics expertise and unique approach to microphone design resulted in a technology that is used around the world.
A Sound Paradigm is also the story of how a community of support surrounded Dave to help him administrate and manifest his vision, and of the hopeful inspiration it brings to others with autism to see infinite possibilities for their own futures.
About David Royer
David’s focus on sound started at an early age, where he grew up absorbing the classical and folk music that his parents played constantly. Transfixed by orchestral recordings, he developed a deep love of classical music that continues today. At 21, Dave created his own recordings with an Ampex 960 tape recorder and a pair of consumer microphones. Unhappy with his early results, he started experimenting with his microphones and soon began an in-depth, lifelong study of microphone design and electronic theory.
David modified and designed microphones and related recording equipment in Los Angeles during the 1980’s and 1990’s. In 1997 he designed his first ribbon mic and showed it to Rick Perrotta (now president of Royer Labs). That microphone, which Dave named the R-121, led to the opening of Royer Labs in 1998. It became an instant “classic,” providing warm, natural-sounding recordings of music and creating an industry-wide “ribbon revolution.” Ribbons are now commonplace in studios and on live stages around the world and David Royer is a household name in the recording industry. Royer Labs has earned many awards including the 2013 Technical Grammy, the industry’s highest honor.
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