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AEA TRP3 Compact Stereo Ribbon Microphone Preamp  From AEA

The TRP3 mic preamp utilizes AEA's newest 3rd generation circuit design. This versatile, half-rack preamp provides two channels of high-output, high-impedance, and low-noise gain with a rich and natural sound that brings out the full potential of your microphones.

AEA

$1,299.00

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Manufacturer's Description from AEA

As the newest iteration of our classic TRP design, the TRP3 achieves unprecedented sound clarity with a combination of updated, modernized circuits and the tonal warmth so embedded in every AEA design.

While all AEA preamps share similar topology and sound, each unit differs in terms of features and form factor. The TRP3 packs a punch as a half-rack powerhouse, providing unmatched levels of clean gain and open, natural sound. Drawing on its predecessor, the TRP3 offers all the classic features of the TRP2 with the added benefit of more straightforward control markings and a responsive high-pass filter that, together, faithfully reproduce even the smallest details of microphones and other sound sources. Equally well-equipped for ribbon, condenser and dynamic microphones, the dual-channel TRP3 delivers all the gain power of our RPQ3 in a more compact, half-rack package.

TRP3 PREAMP OVERVIEW

  • Two-channel, high-gain, half-rack mic pre
  • Ultra-high 68KΩ input impedance (phantom power off)
  • 7 to 85 dB of gain
  • 48V phantom and polarity switch
  • HPF switchable -3dB at 115 Hz or 230 Hz
  • External PSU
  • Optional rack ears (for one unit) or rack shelf (two units) for mounting purposes

ENHANCE YOUR RIBBONS

The AEA TRP3 Ribbon Preamp provides two channels of high-output, high-impedance, and low-noise gain with a rich and natural sound that brings out the full potential of your microphones.

Specifically designed for ribbon microphones, the TRP3 excels at drawing out the warmth and lush sound that ribbons are uniquely known for. Our 3rd generation circuitry is the cleanest and most musical design we've done yet.

SMALL, BUT MIGHTY

The TRP3 is a half-rack powerhouse that provides unparalleled high gain with low-noise. With 85db of output, the TRP3 gives you enough juice to record soft sources without ever having to worry about noise.

Passive ribbons and other low-level sources require preamps that supply a high level of output. Without enough clean gain, low-level mic signals can sound too soft or too noisy. This noise can be especially evident when recording quieter instruments (acoustic guitars, strings), recording at a distance or when using long cable runs.

With the TRP3, you will never consider a source too quiet to record with a ribbon mic ever again.

Professional Features in a Compact Package

Designed for ribbons but well-equipped for condenser and dynamic microphones alike, the dual-channel TRP3 delivers all the gain power of our RPQ3 in a more compact, half-rack package.

The TRP3 offers all the classic features of the TRP and TRP2 with the added benefit of an up-to-date circuit design, upgraded components, more straightforward control markings and a dual-option high-pass filter for repeatable proximity effect taming.

The TRP3 faithfully reproduces even the smallest details of microphones, voices, and other sound sources. Great for stereo pair recording, easily recallable settings, and capturing true-to-source sound, the TRP3 is a simple yet versatile tool.

A UNIVERSAL POWER SUPPLY

The TRP3 includes an external switching power supply with a grounded AC plug that keeps hum fields away from the high-gain electronics.

This power supply allows the TRP3 to be used in any country without any modifications made to the unit.

RACKING THE TRP3

The TRP3 is housed in a portable and lightweight half-rack aluminum chassis that allows you to easily take it to remote gigs, other studios, and on the road. AEA manufactures optional racking gear for convenient use in rackmount furniture.

A single TRP3 can be easily racked with TRP3 Rack Ears. Rack two TRP3s side by side with a TRP3 Rack Shelf. These assemblies can be securely installed in any standard rack.

EXCEPTIONAL PREAMPS

The worlds best microphones, coupled with AEA’s range of transparent preamps, are the key choice for discerning recordists who want total control over their signal path

AEA offers the RPQ3, RPQ500, TRP3 and TRP500 microphone preamps, all of which provide clean gain and ultra high impedance to open up the sound of your microphones. All AEA Ribbon Preamps all share the same topology and sound. The differences between each unit come down to extra EQ features and form factor.

AEA

About Manufacturer

Wes Dooley's longtime passion for audio has infused his company, Audio Engineering Associates (AEA), with a well balanced blend of creativity and technical expertise for forty years. At the core of AEA is a genuine interest in the art and science of audio. From areas as diverse as forensic audio and microphone design, Wes' passion for audio has led him all over the world, from recording experiences in Europe, Africa, and New Zealand, to the courtrooms of Los Angeles as a forensic audio and video expert witness. Such experiences have led Wes to design products which help resolve problems commonly encountered by recording engineers. His portable recording tools including, multi-channel microphone arrays, MS stereo processors, stereo phase displays and very tall microphone stands, have all made on-site recording far more feasible. Despite his contributions to on-location recording, Wes is best known for his pursuit of excellence in ribbon microphone technology. After two decades of representing and servicing the BBC 4038 in the United States, he began to experiment with his own ribbon microphones. During the last decade Wes became aware of the increasing scarcity of R44's and other ribbon microphones. In 1998, responding to this need, Wes re-introduced the 44 much to the thrill of many in the recording industry. Les Paul told Wes that AEA's R44 is his favorite microphone and engineer/producers such as Bruce Swedien, Kevin Bacon, and Shawn Murphy routinely use AEA's R44. Even without such critical acclaim the numbers speak for themselves. Over half of the movies scored in Los Angeles have a 44 somewhere on the scoring stage. Building off of his successful reintroduction of the R44, in 2002 Wes designed and began producing an original ribbon mic, the AEA R84. His groundbreaking work with ribbon microphones helped him to secure the Audio Engineering Society (AES) Silver Medal Award in the fall of 2003. This award, established by the AES in 1971, in honor of audio pioneers Alexander Graham Bell, Emile Berliner, and Thomas A. Edison, is given in recognition of outstanding development or achievement in the field of audio engineering. Wes has also co-authored two AES Journal articles about stereo microphone techniques, chaired workshops on mic techniques and mixing strategies for compatible multiple releases for cinema, broadcast and home video, and has presented section meetings on stereo techniques and forensic audio. He is involved with AES standards work and currently serves on the SC-03-12 Working Group on Forensic Audio and SC-04-04 Working Group on Microphone Measurement and Characterization.

Specifications

Spec Overview

  • Two-channel, high-gain, half-rack mic preamp
  • Ultra-high 68KΩ input impedance (phantom power off)
  • 7 to 85 dB of gain
  • 48V phantom and polarity switch
  • HPF switchable -3dB at 115 Hz or 230 Hz
  • External PSU
  • Optional rack ears (for one unit) or rack shelf (two units) for mounting purposes

TRP3 TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS:

Max Gain at 1 kHz: 85 dB

EIN (Max gain, 22 Hz to 22 KHz, unweighted):

130 dBu (typical), 40 Ω source

128 dBu (typical), 150 Ω source

Frequency Response:

30 dB gain: (-0.5 dB from <10 Hz to 200 kHz)

85 dB gain: (-3 dB 9Hz to >200 kHz)

THD+N: 0.0015% (1 kHz, 22 Hz-22 kHz @30 dB Gain +4 dBu output)

XLR Output Max Level: +27 dBu into 600 Ω load

Input Impedance: 11.3 kΩ (with Phantom), 68 kΩ (no Phantom)

Output Impedance: 50 Ω

Max Input Signal Level: +20 dBu (minimum gain)

Stepped Gain Control: 12-position switch from +7 dB to +65 dB

Output Trim: Continuously variable from 0 dB to +20 dB

EQ Circuitry:

Switchable, passive first-order high-pass filter

Selectable frequencies (-3 dB) at either 115 Hz or 230 Hz

Input and Output XLR Polarity: Pin 2 hot

LED Signal Level Indicators:

Green LED ≅ -20 dBu;

Yellow LED = 0 dBu;

Red LED ≅ +20 dBu (clipping +27 dBu)

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