AEA R84A Ribbon Microphone

The AEA R84A is an active version of the award-winning R84, providing the same sonic qualities but now with more output and immunity to impedance-loading, giving the user a wider range of preamp selection and a lower signal to noise ratio. The R84A is the perfect companion to a touring or studio musician that relies on the sound and quality a ribbon mic delivers, but requires the consistency and risk-free performance no matter the size of the stage or quality of the studio.

The R84A uses the same JFET electronics and high quality transformers used in AEA’s flagship A440 microphone, which is the key component to providing the stability, high signal levels and preamp flexibility. Although the active circuit will lower the amount of SPL the R84A can take compared to its passive counterpart (134 SPL compared to 165 SPL) the R84A can capture the same high-quality ribbon sound on a much wider range of preamps, even if you’re using USB, Firewire or Thunderbolt interfaces.

The magic of the sound comes from AEA’s Large Ribbon Geometry which is 2.35” by 0.185” by 2 micron pure aluminum low-tension ribbon element, the same found on the classic R44. While many other ribbon microphone manufacturers use shorter ribbons that are less expensive and easier to install, the R84As long ribbon results in the lowest resonant frequency possible. The longer ribbon allows further movement back and forth within the magnetic gap, resulting in a much wider frequency range and ability to handle higher SPLs than a standard condenser microphone.

Features

• Phantom powered (48V) version of AEA’s classic R84 with 12dB more sensitivity
• Same award-winning sound as the passive R84
• Large-diaphragm ribbon microphone
• Well-controlled, native figure-8 polar pattern
• Compatible with any preamp and input impedance
• Fast, accurate transient reproduction
• Custom German toroidal transformer and JFET electronics
• Wide-band 20Hz–20kHz frequency response
• High SPL capability of 141dB
• Low self-noise of 17.5dB(A)