AEA R84 ribbon microphone

General

The R84 is the compact, affordable version of AEA’s iconic R44, without compromising on character. Whereas the RCA 44BX weighed eight pounds, the R84 incorporates the same Big Ribbon capsule, transformer and mechanical components into a lightweight housing weighing one and a half kilos. More modern magnets and construction techniques ensure a more balanced proximity effect, an extended high-frequency response and better vibration isolation, without losing the classic RCA signature.

Features of the AEA R84

A warm, detailed ribbon sound with a wide frequency range: airy highs, solid lows and an accentuated midrange that gives instruments clarity and character without ever becoming harsh. The smooth high-end roll-off and reduced sibilance make it the first choice when condenser microphones sound too aggressive on vocals, wind instruments or drums. The controllable proximity effect makes the R84 just as suitable for close-up as it is for distant recording, from close-mic to ambient applications.

The passive version

The R84 is purely passive; no electronics and no phantom power required. That does mean, however, that the preamp used is the determining factor for the final result. You’ll need at least +60dB of gain and a high input impedance to get the full, flat frequency response out of the ribbon. AEA’s own RPQ3, RPQ500, TRP500 and TRP3 are specifically designed for this purpose; preamps with an impedance above 5kΩ, such as those often found on live mixing desks, are sufficient for louder sources such as guitar amplifiers. For quiet sources or remote recordings, a dedicated ribbon preamp is not a luxury but a necessity.