AEA R88 Stereo Ribbon Microphone Quick n' Dirty
Also in this recording AEA R88 MKII Stereo Ribbon Microphone
In this video, Sound Pure pro audio expert Marc Kuzio reviews the AEA R88 Stereo Ribbon Microphone.
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Sound Pure's Take
What’s included:
- AEA’s iconic R88A stereo mic featured in John Cuniberti’s OneMic series.
- The original Ribbon Preamp, the TRP2, designed and optimized for ribbon microphones.
- A rugged SKB road case with custom foam inserts.
- An autographed hardback edition of Ron Streicher’s New Stereo Soundbook (third edition)
- A 15-min personal zoom call with Wes Dooley, founder of AEA. (time to be set up at the customer’s convenience).
*If you wish to substitute the active version of the R88 (the R88A) for the passive, the stereo package can be purchased for $3199 (a value of $3577).
Watch & listen
LDC Kick Drum Mic Shootout: Neumann U47 FET vs Bock iFET vs Soyuz SU-019
Also in this recording Neumann U 47 FET Collectors Edition Bock Audio iFET Condenser Microphone Soyuz 017 FET Large Diaphragm Condenser Millennia HV-3R Digital 8 Channel Mic Preamp Shure Beta 181/C Ultra-Compact Side-Address Microphone AEA R88 MKII Stereo Ribbon Microphone Dunnett Classic 8x14 Magnesium Snare Drum Shure Beta 52A Kick Drum Microphone
In this video we present an LDC kick drum microphone shootout using the Neumann U47 FET, the Bock iFET and the Soyuz SU-019. Can you tell which one's which? If you are interested in hearing the results and/or getting aho... Read more
In this video we present an LDC kick drum microphone shootout using the Neumann U47 FET, the Bock iFET and the Soyuz SU-019. Can you tell which one's which? If you are interested in hearing the results and/or getting ahold of the audio files from this shootout, give us a shout, we'd love to hear from you!
AEA Sessions - Appel Interstellaire - French Horn (AEA R88)
Also in this recording AEA R88 MKII Stereo Ribbon Microphone
French Horn performed by Dylan Hart Videography and audio by Alex Chaloff (http://www.bucketsmovingcompany.com) INPUT LIST: Room Mic - R88 - D.A.V. BG1 PreampConverters: RME Fireface UFXDAW: Nuendo 4 @ 96k/24bit
AEA Sessions - The Architect - Piano (R88)
Also in this recording AEA R88 MKII Stereo Ribbon Microphone
"The Architect" performed by Josh Nelson Videography and audio by Alex Chaloff. INPUT LIST: Piano - R88 - DAV BG1 Preamp Converters: RME Fireface UFX DAW: Nuendo 4 @ 96k/24bit
AEA Sessions - Fiddle Medley
Also in this recording AEA N8 NUVO Phantom Powered Ribbon Microphone AEA R88 MKII Stereo Ribbon Microphone
NPUT LIST:Fiddle - N8 - Edirol R44 PreampRoom Mic - R88 - Edirol R44 PreampConverters: Edirol R44DAW: Nuendo 4 @ 48k/24bit
AEA Sessions - Cello
Also in this recording AEA N8 NUVO Phantom Powered Ribbon Microphone AEA R88 MKII Stereo Ribbon Microphone AEA RPQ Stereo Ribbon Preamp
INPUT LIST:Cello - N8 - Millennia PreampRoom Mic - R88 - RPQ PreampDAW: ProTools HD @ 96k/24bit
AEA Sessions -Drum Solo
Also in this recording AEA N8 NUVO Phantom Powered Ribbon Microphone AEA R44 CE Ribbon Microphone AEA R88 MKII Stereo Ribbon Microphone
INPUT LIST:Kick - R44 - RPQ PreampOverheads - N8 (x2) - Millennia PreampRoom Mic - R88 - RPQ PreampDAW: ProTools HD @ 96k/24bit
From AEA
R88A
The active R88A mic retains the same sonic character of the R88, but with an additional 12dB of output and a stable impedance. This gives a consistent frequency response and greater flexibility with different preamps, including those found in audio interfaces for personal computers. This is great for on-the-road musicians who might have to use a different preamp each night.
The extra 12db of output is vital when recording quiet sources like vocals or soft acoustic guitars. The active circuitry also prevents noise interference on long cable runs or when operating near large lighting rigs. The R88A’s active circuitry requires standard 48-volt phantom power to operate. The premium R88A is visually distinguished by a red cable at its base.
Features
♦ two Big Ribbons™ in a fixed Blumlein and mid-side configuration
♦ Astonishingly open and natural sound
♦ Far-field ribbon mic designed to retain low end and top end at a distance
♦ Stereo version of the AEA N8
♦ Active R88A version has 12dB level increase and is optimized for all preamps
♦ Made in the U.S.A.
A STEREO MICROPHONE LIKE YOUR OWN EARS
The stereo R88 captures a space as it sounds live and in person, with all the present subtlety and nuance. Its expansive frequency response and balanced low end make it superbly effective when capturing the full breadth of sound from the back of a room or above a drum set.
Alongside the mono AEA N8, it boasts the widest frequency range of any mic in the AEA lineup and effortlessly manages more complex source audio like drums, strings, piano, and other instruments that produce intricate transients, harsher highs, and bellowing lows. The Blumlein configuration of the ribbons allows for a sweeping range of perspective, so an entire ensemble and room can be captured by the R88 alone.
The R88A retains the same sonic character of the R84 but offers an additional 12dB of output and a stable impedance that allows flexibility when recording quiet sources through any preamp.
THE ENGINEER’S SECRET WEAPON
R88 Series mics are an engineer’s secret weapon, offering a level of detail and balance in recording like no other microphone available. Packaged in a sleek, five-pound black shell designed for quick setup, it’s an excellent choice for remote recording.
Particularly well suited for the rock, roots, classical, Americana and jazz genres, R88 Series microphones have such versatility that engineers like John Cuniberti use it as their one mic to capture an entire band performing live in the same room. There is a reason that legendary Blackbird Studios in Nashville owns five R88s.
TRP2
ENHANCE YOUR RIBBONS
The AEA TRP2 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 TRP2 excels at drawing out the warmth and lush sound that ribbons are uniquely known for.
A GAIN POWERHOUSE
The TRP2 is a powerhouse that provides unparalleled high gain with low-noise. With 85db of JFET output, the TRP2 gives you enough juice to record soft sources without ever having to worry about noise. With the TRP2, you will never consider a source too quiet to record with a ribbon mic ever again. Passive ribbons with low output levels require preamps that supply a high level of output. If the preamp you use doesn’t have enough clean gain, the mic signal may seem too soft or noisy which may be apparent when recording quiet acoustic guitars or strings, especially at a distance or with long cable runs. The TRP2 eliminates this concern.
PROFESSIONAL FEATURES IN A COMPACT PACKAGE
The TRP2 is AEA’s second iteration of the high-performance TRP preamp with the addition of new features including phantom power, optional rack ears, and a switching power supply.Polarity reverse switches for ensuring proper polarity throughout the recording chain and switchable 100 Hz, 12 dB per octave low-frequency filters allow you to tame proximity problems. The TRP2 includes switchable phantom power that is capable of powering condensers and active ribbons. For engineers concerned about phantom power hurting their passive ribbons, there is phantom power kill switch, known as No Blow Mode, located internally within the unit that easily deactivates 48V from ever turning on.
HIGH IMPEDANCE MAKES A HUGE DIFFERENCE
The sound and tonality of dynamic microphones like ribbons and moving-coils are directly affected by the impedance of a preamp. The higher the impedance, the better the sound. The RPQ2 boasts an extra high input impedance of 63K Ohms. Preamps with an impedance of under 10k ohms will limit the lows, highs, and transients of your passive microphones. The RPQ2’s high impedance will reveal your microphone’s true nature– a thick low-end, open top-end, and articulate transient response that you will need to hear to believe. Both condensers and active microphones will also benefit from the RPQ2’s impedance.
A UNIVERSAL POWER SUPPLY
An external switching power supply with a grounded AC plug is used with the TRP2 so hum fields can be kept away from the high-gain electronics. The power supply allows the TRP2 to be used in any country without any modifications made to the unit.
OPTIONS TO RACK THE TRP
The TRP2 is housed in a portable and lightweight half-rack aluminum chassis. This form factor allows you to easily take it to remote gigs, other studios, and on the road. The TRP2 can be easily racked with the optional TRP2 Rack Ears. Attach the rack ears to the TRP2 and unit can be securely installed in any standard rack. Two TRP2s can be mounted side by side in a single rack space by purchasing the AEA TRP2 Rack Shelf. Screwing two TRP2s to the rack shelf, the whole assembly can be securely installed in any standard rack.
R88A
- Transducers
- dual 2" ribbons oriented at 90 degrees
- Sensitivity
- -52dBV/Pa
- Frequency Response
- 20Hz-15kHz (+/- 3dB)
- Output Impendance
- 270 ohms
- SPL Handling
- 165dB SPL at 1 kHz
- Recommended Load
- 1.2 K ohm or greater
- Powering
- 48V required & recommended
- Polarity
- Pin 2 high
- Connector
- XLR-3M wired to a 4 meter captive stereo cable
Includes custom hard case with padded interior for storage and shipping
Operating manual for proper care and usage.
TRP2
- Gain at 1kHz
- 85dB of gain at 1kHz, balanced-in to balanced-out in Microphone Input mode
- Noise figure, rms A-weighted
- <2dB
- Noise figure, rms unweighted
- <3dB, 20 kHz LPF bandwidth
- EIN
- <-130 dBu A-weighted, 150 Ohm resistive source
- THD
- -3dB <1Hz and >100 kHz <0.02% at 1 kHz
- Input impedance
- 63K Ohms (10K Ohms when P48 is engaged)
- Input Gain control
- Twelve-position switch provides from +7dB to +63dB of gain for the preamplifier circuit, as measured between the input and the before the output line driver.
- Switched LF Shelving filter
- 12dB per octave from 100 Hz
- Color LEDs
- Yellow, Green, Red
- XLR output maximum level into 600Ω load
- +28 dBu, balanced; 0 dBu = 0.7746 V rms
- XLR connectors polarity
- Pin-1 is ground, pin-2 is high, pin-3 is low
- LED signal level indicators
- The green LED snaps on at -20 dBu to indicate the presence of signal; the yellow LED snaps on at 0 dBu; the red LED snaps on at +24 dBu to warn of approaching signal overload.
External Features
An external switching power supply with a grounded AC plug is used with the TRP2 so hum fields can be kept away from the high-gain electronics. The power supply allows the TRP2 to be used in any country without any modifications made to the unit. The power supply uses a 5-pin XLR connector for its output. It has one 18 volt AC secondary winding, which is used within the TRP2 to provide three regulated DC voltages. Bi-polar 18-volt rails are provided for the electronics and a +12 volt rail for the Aeromat relays.
Dimensions
- Size
- 8.5” w, 8.5 d, 1.5” h (36.7 cm x 36.7 cm x 4.3 cm)
- Weight
- 2lbs oz (0.9 kg)
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