Published 13/10/08
Taking care of your ribbons
US-based Audio Engineering Associates (AEA) have announced a new dual-channel mic preamp that’s specially designed for use with ribbon microphones. Each channel has two controls for gain: a notched ‘step’ knob that sets the gain range, and a ‘trim’ pot that allows the user to make fine adjustements to the level. There are also low-frequency filter and high-frequency boost controls for shaping the tone, so the user can tame the results of the proximity effect at the low end and regain some brightness at the top end. Both tone controls can be bypassed.
The RPQ can supply 48V to the connected microphones, which may come as a surprise given that it’s designed for use with ribbon mics, some of which can be damaged by phantom power. But in recent years, a number of manufacturers (including AEA) have designed ‘active’ ribbons, which require a phantom power supply to operate.
To cater for the active ribbon, while taking care of the passive variety simultaneously, AEA have equipped each channel of the RPQ with two microphone inputs. One of these can have phantom power supply engaged, while the other is isolated from the supply, even if it’s switched on.
AEA say that, although it’s designed with ribbons in mind, the RPQ works just as well with condenser and moving-coil mics, thanks to its “speed, quietness and headroom”. The manufacturers claim that the preamp can supply up to 80dB of gain, and has a frequency response of less than 1Hz to 200kHz (±3dB).
In other AEA news, their latest microphone, the A440, is now shipping. It’s an active ribbon that features the very same transducer material as used in the vintage RCA ribbon mics, with New Old Stock (NOS) components.
According to the manufacturer’s technical specifications, it has an impressive 6dB (A-weighted) self-noise level, and can accept a maximum SPL of 132.5dB. In the UK, AEA products are distributed by Affinity Audio, who have a new web site — why don’t you check it out?
Affinity Audio +44 (0)1923 265 400
www.affinityaudio.com
www.ribbonmics.com
US-based Audio Engineering Associates (AEA) have announced a new dual-channel mic preamp that’s specially designed for use with ribbon microphones. Each channel has two controls for gain: a notched ‘step’ knob that sets the gain range, and a ‘trim’ pot that allows the user to make fine adjustements to the level. There are also low-frequency filter and high-frequency boost controls for shaping the tone, so the user can tame the results of the proximity effect at the low end and regain some brightness at the top end. Both tone controls can be bypassed.
The RPQ can supply 48V to the connected microphones, which may come as a surprise given that it’s designed for use with ribbon mics, some of which can be damaged by phantom power. But in recent years, a number of manufacturers (including AEA) have designed ‘active’ ribbons, which require a phantom power supply to operate.
To cater for the active ribbon, while taking care of the passive variety simultaneously, AEA have equipped each channel of the RPQ with two microphone inputs. One of these can have phantom power supply engaged, while the other is isolated from the supply, even if it’s switched on.AEA say that, although it’s designed with ribbons in mind, the RPQ works just as well with condenser and moving-coil mics, thanks to its “speed, quietness and headroom”. The manufacturers claim that the preamp can supply up to 80dB of gain, and has a frequency response of less than 1Hz to 200kHz (±3dB).
In other AEA news, their latest microphone, the A440, is now shipping. It’s an active ribbon that features the very same transducer material as used in the vintage RCA ribbon mics, with New Old Stock (NOS) components.
According to the manufacturer’s technical specifications, it has an impressive 6dB (A-weighted) self-noise level, and can accept a maximum SPL of 132.5dB. In the UK, AEA products are distributed by Affinity Audio, who have a new web site — why don’t you check it out?
Affinity Audio +44 (0)1923 265 400
www.affinityaudio.com
www.ribbonmics.com
