AEA R88A ribbon microphone

General

The R88A is the active counterpart to the R88mk2: it features the same two Big Ribbons in a fixed Blumlein configuration (with mid-side as an alternative), but is fitted with JFET electronics and the same custom Lehle transformer as the active R44. Essentially an R88 with a built-in preamp; freed from the strict gain and impedance requirements associated with passive ribbon microphones. A superb microphone for engineers and on-location recordings where flexibility is required: sessions with varying preamps, remote recording without a dedicated ribbon preamp to hand, or distant, quiet sources where every dB of output counts. Same stereo image and sound character as the R88mk2, without the preamp restrictions of a passive design.

Features of the AEA R88A

You get 12dB more output compared to the passive R88mk2. What’s more, it features a stable impedance that guarantees consistent frequency response on virtually any preamp, including those in standard audio interfaces. No more +60dB gain requirement, no critical impedance matching: the R88A works straight away, wherever you plug it in. That extra output is exactly what you need with quiet, remote sources, or when you need to switch quickly between different preamps on location. The active circuitry also suppresses interference over long cable runs or near heavy lighting rigs. The R88A retains the full sonic character of the R88mk2; the same honest, open reproduction of complex sources such as drums, strings and piano, with intact transients and a balanced low end. As a far-field ribbon microphone, it performs optimally from 7 cm to 6 metres, with an SPL handling capacity of 165+ dB at 1 kHz for placement right up against loud sources.