AEA A840 Active Ribbon Microphone

The AEA A840 is different from other microphones.  One listen and the AEA A840 stands out with its big, clean sound. It’s an ideal spot mic with its tight pattern, smooth extended top, and less proximity bass boost than the R44 and A440.  The A840 effortlessly handles a broad range of applications from accent to ensemble.

Features:

• High output
• Compatibility with any preamp and input source
• Low self noise of 17.5 dB (A)
• Fast, accurate transient reproduction
• High SPL capability of 141 dB
• Single-diaphragm with well-controlled, native figure-8 polar pattern
• Wide-band response from below 20 Hz to beyond 20 kHz

The AEA A840 and other AEA Big Ribbon mics are excellent digital recording tools.  Digital has different limitations than analog.  The digital recording process is capable of preserving razor sharp details for generations.  So it makes sense to use microphones that fit well into the final mix from the start. AEA Big Ribbon mics with their smooth, natural and easy-to-EQ sound have enjoyed a rebirth as digital recording has blossomed.

Over 30 years of servicing ribbon mics taught AEA what users like, and they all like the big sound of the RCA 44.  Preserving and reintroducing that sound became an AEA mission.  The AEA R44 and A440s, robust, heavy, and expensive to manufacture, are now in daily use worldwide.  But that’s just the beginning of the story.

How can AEA preserve and update that Big Ribbon sound in a more affordable package using new technologies?
The A840 uses the same big ribbon as the A440, is 5 pounds lighter, and less bulky.  Due to its active JFET impedance buffer circuitry the new A840 is insensitive to lower preamp input impedances.  The high output sensitivity reduces noise and allows long cable runs.  This allows you to use your favorite tube preamp without compromising your classic ribbon sound.  Designed for accent and solo work, its bass proximity effect is less pronounced and the upper 10 to 20 kHz octave is stronger than the A440.

Why do the AEA Big Ribbon mics sound so different when compared to other microphones?
Classic condenser diaphragms are radially stretched.  They typically have sharp, narrow resonances in the 8 to 12 kHz range, the sound quality we refer to as “tizz”. AEA  Big Ribbon mics use a long rectangular diaphragm clamped only at the ends and tensioned lightly with a fundamental resonance below 20 Hz.  Less than 80 millionths of an inch thick, AEA's ultra low mass transducer has extended bass, excellent transient response and few resonances.  It’s one of the most sensitive and accurate transducers possible. Many have commented that AEA mics record exactly what your ear hears.  Excellent headroom and low distortion allow close micing with an A840 without sounding brittle. Additionally the smooth, non-resonant high end provides engineers considerable EQ flexibility.