AEA R84 Ribbon Microphone Details
The AEA R84 is an affordable Large Ribbon Geometry (LRG) microphone suitable for use by the most demanding audio professional or hobbyist.
If you are new to ribbons, you are in for a treat! Experienced users have discovered the AEA R84 is an outstanding general-purpose microphone, ideally suited for solo and accent work. It is hard to find an application where this mic does not shine. It is a fine example of the natural sound and figure-8 directional sensitivity a quality ribbon mic delivers.
1. Pure natural sound, just as you hear it when you're placing your mic in the studio.
2. Quick smooth transients that capture the feeling of being there without sounding like a recording.
3. Extended bass and treble that captures the details without shoving anything in your face.
4. A figure-eight pattern that focuses your recording on the sound you want.
We believe you will enjoy the confidence this mic inspires. It's a forgiving tool that makes your recording work easier, as it literally sounds good on everything. Try it first and you'll usually like it and find it sits well in the mix. When time is scarce and quality necessary, put the AEA R84 to the test. Our users' experience is that you'll use it more and more (in pairs too!). Then it will start to really grow on you.
The versatile AEA R84 large ribbon microphone is suitable for a wide range of instruments, including brass, strings, percussion, electric guitar and bass. Utilizing the same basic acoustic structure as the AEA R44CNE, the AEA R84 delivers that "big ribbon" sound. At just 0.00007 of an inch, the ultra-thin, low-tension ribbon element of the AEA R84 ensures a quick response, whatever the application. Capable of handling better than 165 dB SPL at higher frequencies, when used on vocals or instruments the AEA R84 offers a performance that is intimate, warm and detailed, yet never harsh.
AEA R84 Ribbon Microphone Features
- R84 Microphone
- Shock mount/mic stand adapter
- Hard wired 10-foot starquad mic cable
- AEA 845C verticle carrying case
AEA R84 Ribbon Microphone Downloads
AEA R84 Ribbon Microphone Reviews
What Professional Users Are Saying
"My favorite mic of the moment is the AEA R84...An emulation of an RCA ribbon mic is not going to sound like an RCA ribbon mic. Only Wes Dooley can come close today...Lately I've replaced the Neumann with the R84." – from EQ Magazine, August 2007
"The R84 is just surprising. I was expecting smooth; I wasn't expecting such incredible punch!"
– Pete Townshend, The Who, London
"I have used one of these mics on almost all of the tracks we've taken, and always on jazz acoustic guitar. Wow. Double wow. This thing has got high end like I don't remember ... Awesome, and I don't use that word often. Fantastic!"
– George Massenburg, GML
"Just tried your latest, [the] R84... had it for a few days and one of our top engineers, Peter Cobbin, liked it so much he wants a pair. Congratulations again! ... a super price ... a real winner."
– Lester Smith, Abbey Road
"I used the AEA R84 on recent sessions for vocal, electric and acoustic guitar. It just kept on sounding better and better. It's very bright and open with an extended low end – almost condenser-like but with smoother highs."
– Joe Chiccarelli, multi-platinum producer/engineer
"Wes [Dooley] and company have done a wonderful thing with this mic ... You have given engineers and recordists a world-class option to return real instrumental and vocal character back into recording. I would recommend this microphone without reservation to anyone who is seeking a more natural, lifelike sound in their recordings."
– Kyle Harris, PlayR Recording in Phoenix
"The only problem is that I don't have more [R84s]! I've been using them as drum overheads, knocking the Neumann 184s out of that duty. I also use them for certain vocals, on guitar amps and my banjo! Somehow they make every sound more 'musical.' It's amazing, I used to avoid ribbon mics ... now I love them."
– Tim Pak, The Woodshed
"I am extremely pleased with your new R84 ribbon. It has many of the mid-range characteristics of a condenser mic which gives it a rather distinctive sound. I think that you are making a significant contribution to the industry."
– Walter Sear, Sear Sound
"I just bought your R84 and it has vibe for DAYS! [The R84] kicks A**!!!"
– Alan Mirikitani, Dawghouse Studios
"I just got a pair of the new R84 large ribbon [mics] and they are the bomb! I used the R84 on trombone through Brent Averil's API 312 [preamp] and it was truly beautiful ...such a natural open sound."
– Rob P., www.witchdoctorrecording.com
"I'm really enjoying the R84...it's wonderful for vocals. I'm seriously contemplating another one for stereo drum overheads."
– Marshall Simmons, The Music Factory, Toledo, Ohio
"The R84 has made a ribbon believer out of me. Never before have I heard a ribbon mic sound so good on so many things: strings, brass, acoustic guitar, choir, even solo voice. It has beat out so many of my previous favorite non-ribbon mics on so many instruments that I am truly shocked. The biggest problem is that just one pair is not enough."
– Lynn Fuston, 3D Audio Inc., Franklin, Tennessee
"When I purchased this microphone and started tracking with it, I knew that my voice found it's match. I have been searchng for years for a mic that would give me the old Nat King Cole style sound, and didn't realize that it would be the answer for other things in my production like acoustic guitar and anything that I want to sound 'natural.' Bravo. Million dollar sound."
– Lou Ferguson, Songwriter, Calgary, Alberta
What We Think
Not just another mic...trust us on that...and when you hear it...you will know where that cool grand went...the AEA R84 is a remarkable sound at any price!
OK, if you're shopping for a guitar cab mic you're done. Finished. The AEA R84 gives you everything you want, a smooth top end without all that blaring upper mid stuff that tickles your eardrums, strong full midrange with bite, and low end for days! Chunk, strum, pick or fram...the AEA R84 gives you the response you want for electric guitar. Figure 8 pattern allows you to work the room too! This mic will take your guitar recordings to the next level. Use a pop filter for guitar cab mic'ing to protect from blasts of wind.
In the monitors, acoustic guitar translated very big as well. The attack isn't overly excited as the high end is so natural sounding, you're not going to get the typical bright SDC sound that you may be used to. It's big, it's natural...beautiful.
On drums, a great position is with the mic positioned about 6 feet in front of the kit. Placement here is key; not difficult... just key. You've got a nice response pattern that becomes very easy to hear / visualize with the AEA R84 and use to your advantage. There is something very familiar with this sound...fat snare and stompin' kick (this sound would not require a close mic on any drum, even kick) with the perfect amount of sizzle on the cymbals. Not harsh or ringy like many condensers can come across, big natural sounding drums with an old school punch / attack that you will recognize!
On voice the AEA R84 excels as well, very smooth response and workable low end...and old school vibe like crazy when loud singers get yellin'. No pronounced sibilance issues with this mic as there is no real exaggerated high end response. Big sounds can be achieved with vocals as well. Overall, this mic sounds big and natural and very musical. We have yet to find out what it cannot do well.
You need to use pop filters with ribbon mics, and that's a fact. So Front End Audio is throwing the Stedman Proscreen & gooseneck in for FREE with the purchase of an AEA R84. Just our way of saying thanks and going the extra mile.
Enjoy! The AEA R84 won't let you down.
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Worth its weight in gold 
