Located in Pasadena, CA, AEA Ribbon Mics occupies a unique and special niche in the recording industry. Being the de facto heir apparent to the historic and seminal RCA ribbon microphone technology was a choice borne in 1976 when AEA began servicing ribbon microphones. By 1998 AEA was manufacturing 100 percent of the parts for the legendary RCA 44 to support a worldwide user base of the popular microphone that was first made in 1932. RCA 44 ribbon microphones are still used in many of the finest recording studios, and given the demand for them, AEA decided to release their version of the 44 and thus was born AEA Ribbon Mics.
Why are ribbon microphones special? Ribbon microphones offer a natural sound with smoother highs and usually reproduce less harshness than condenser and dynamic designs. Ribbons naturally roll off high frequencies, which tames bright instruments like brass, cymbals, or aggressive vocals. The highly responsive ribbon reacts instantly to sound waves, delivering fast transient response without a brittle edge. Their high-frequency roll-off closely mimics how human ears perceive the real world. There was a point in the Los Angeles recording scene where brass players became tired of the status quo of having extremely bright condenser mics placed in front of them to the point where many of them started traveling to sessions with their favorite ribbon mics to ensure a sweetness to their sound.
Now offering a line of 16 handmade microphones, AEA manufactures both vintage style ribbon microphones as well as modern active ribbon microphones. From the perspective of an engineer working on fast paced sessions, the notion of a phantom powered active ribbon mic brings a lot of comfort, as you know that you are in no danger of destroying a passive ribbon with an accidental blast of +48 volts! These new AEA mics are not the ribbon mics of yesteryear that were susceptible to destruction by phantom power or gusts of wind.
MC tested the AEA NUVO N22 and KU5A. The NUVO N22 is a phantom-powered active side-address ribbon microphone with a bidirectional pickup pattern. Featuring a rugged lightweight design, extended top-end clarity, and reduced proximity effect, it’s intended for close-up miking applications like acoustic and electric guitars, vocals, drums, or piano. The N22 can also be used a few feet away from the source due to its healthy output level. The N22 features phantom-powered JFET electronics and a custom German transformer. With a highly protected pure aluminum ribbon, the N22 can be used in both live sound applications and vocal recording, often without the need for an additional pop-filter. AEA states, “Rooted in the RCA tradition just like other AEA ribbons, all NUVO microphones are designed to offer a fresh approach to the ribbon transducer and represent a contemporary take on the evolution of the ribbon microphone.”
The KU5A is an end-address, phantom-powered, super cardioid ribbon microphone. It’s equipped with active circuitry and a custom transformer optimized for all preamps. The reduced rear-lobe of the super cardioid pattern has greater rejection of ambient sound from behind. Sources within 3 inches of the KU5A display a strong and warm proximity effect, and it can handle 135 dB SPL at 1kHz. The KU5A’s integrated electronic high-pass filter smoothly rolls off low end with a 6dB/octave slope at 283Hz. It’s extremely durable in close range, outdoor, and live applications and can handle direct blasts of air from loud singers and other instruments that move air. AEA indicates this mic as being among their highest in clarity, versatility and ruggedness for both studio and live settings.
The AEA mics were used to record guitar amps for a blues band and a popular ‘70s legacy band. In both cases, they were recorded next to classic and modern American dynamic mics. They sounded very smooth and sweet with a subdued low end and a much greater sense of the room the amps were isolated in, which was a nice addition. There are certain recording tasks that ribbon mics will always excel at, particularly with brass instruments and strings. AEA mics are a valuable tool that will greatly enhance any microphone locker. NUVO N22: $1,199; KU5A: $1,599
