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For decades, AEA has been one of the biggest names in ribbon microphones. Founded by Wes Dooley, the company built its reputation restoring and recreating classic RCA ribbon microphones before developing a lineup of original designs that bring the unmistakable character of ribbons to a wider range of recording applications.
In our latest Fresh Listen video, we're taking a closer look at several of AEA's ribbon microphones: the NUVO Flight, which includes the N8, N13, and N22, along with the R88 mk2 and R92. During tracking, we run these microphones through the AEA RPQ503 preamp/EQ. Then, when we head to mixing, we run every source and the final mix through the AEA 1029 compressor.
Watch below to hear these AEA microphones, the RPQ503 preamp/EQ, and 1029 compressor in action on performances from Libby DeCamp (Vocals, Guitar, Bass, Lap Steel) and Adam Schreiber (Drums) at Hylaphonic Sound. This session was engineered and mixed by Bryan Reilly.
AEA NUVO Flight
The AEA NUVO Flight brings three of AEA's modern ribbon microphones together in one package: the N8, N13, and N22. Each microphone is optimized for a different recording distance, giving engineers a flexible collection of ribbon mics that can cover everything from close-miked sources to rooms and ensembles.
AEA NUVO N8
The AEA N8 is designed to capture sources at long distance while maintaining the open, natural sound that AEA is known for. Its large ribbon delivers a wide frequency response and excellent transient detail, making it a strong choice for drum overheads, room mics, strings, and other sources where capturing the surrounding space is just as important as the source itself. Like all of the NUVO Series mics, the N8 is phantom-powered, which makes it easy to pair with just about any microphone preamp.
AEA NUVO N13
The N13 sits between the N8 and N22, offering a ribbon microphone voiced for mid-field recording. Its smaller, thinner ribbon provides a quick transient response and added top-end clarity, making it particularly useful on acoustic guitar, strings, horns, percussion, and drum overheads. Like the other NUVO microphones, the N13 combines classic ribbon character with an active design that makes it easy to integrate into modern recording setups.
AEA NUVO N22
Designed specifically for close-miking, the AEA N22 combines the smooth, natural sound of a ribbon with the focus and clarity of a condenser. Its active design provides plenty of output for modern recording setups, while the microphone’s voicing keeps the low end controlled when working up close, making the N22 a versatile choice for vocals, guitar amps, acoustic guitar, and drums.
AEA R88 mk2 Stereo Ribbon Microphone
The AEA R88 mk2 puts two of AEA's signature Big Ribbons into a single microphone, arranged in a fixed Blumlein configuration for stereo recording. Its wide frequency response and natural stereo image make it an excellent choice for drum overheads, piano, strings, ensembles, and room recording. It's also a remarkably simple way to get a complete stereo picture without having to match and position multiple microphones.
AEA R92 Ribbon Microphone
The AEA R92 is a unique take on the traditional ribbon microphone, designed specifically for close-miking applications. Thanks to its reduced proximity effect, you can place the microphone surprisingly close to a source without the low-end buildup commonly associated with figure-eight ribbons. Plus, each side of the mic is voiced differently, with the front offering a crisp, bright sound, and the rear sounding darker and smoother.
AEA RPQ503 500 Series Preamp
A great ribbon microphone deserves a great preamp. Based on AEA's third-generation preamp circuitry, the RPQ503 delivers up to 85 dB of clean gain and an ultra-high input impedance, making it especially well-suited to passive ribbon microphones like the R88 mk2 and R92. It also adds AEA's CurveShaper EQ, with sweepable high- and low-frequency boost and cut controls for tightening up your sound at the source.
AEA 1029 Stereo VCA Compressor
The AEA 1029 brings the same thoughtful approach to dynamics that AEA brings to its microphones and preamps. This stereo VCA compressor is fast, flexible, and musical, making it easy to add control and punch without taking away the character of the source. It can provide gentle leveling on a stereo mix, tighten up drum overheads, or add more aggressive compression when you want a little extra energy.
