Audio Engineering Associates
AEA N22
Ribbon, figure-8, side-address, active (phantom-powered JFET electronics and transformer), near-field
Power Phantom 48 V (P48).
- Type
- Ribbon
- Pattern
- Figure-8
- Sensitivity
- −44.1 dBV/Pa
- Among 28 ribbons: more output than 63%
- Among 311 mics: more output than 44%
- Max SPL
- 141 dB SPL
- Among 29 ribbons: takes louder sound than 64%
- Among 343 mics: takes louder sound than 69%
- Rated range
- 20 – 20k Hz
- Released
- 2013
vs 24 side-address ribbons
More output than 61% of 24 side-address ribbons.
Each stripe is one side-address ribbon with a published sensitivity, and each bar counts them; further right means more output. This mic is in blue.
vs 28 side-address ribbons
Takes louder sound than 63% of 28 side-address ribbons.
Each stripe is one side-address ribbon with a published max SPL, and each bar counts them; further right means it takes louder sound. This mic is in blue.
Proximity effect: the bass it gains up close
From the manual, p. 11.
"FREQUENCY RESPONSE", dBr; "Data below 200 Hz omitted due to measuring room restrictions", "0 dBr is equivalent to 6.2mV/Pa (-44.1dBV)", "Normalized to 0 dB at 1kHz. 1/3 octave smoothing". A CLIO MLS measurement dated 6-13-2019 (in the image, hidden on the page). Distance not stated.
Dashed: outside the rated range, or simulated (other angles and distances). Hover or tap the graphs for values.
Polar pattern
From the manual, p. 11.
"Directivity" (CLIO), full circle, 0° at the top, rings every 3 dB from 0 to -30 dB. Measuring conditions not stated. The rear lobe is opposite in polarity (manual p. 8: "positive polarity on the front and negative polarity on the back").
In practice
All specs
| From the manual | ||
|---|---|---|
| Capsule | pure aluminium corrugated ribbon, 1.8 µm thick, 4.7 mm wide, 59.7 mm long"Pure aluminum corrugated ribbon", "1.8 µm", "0.185 in (4.7 mm)", "2.35 in (59.7 mm)". | p. 10 |
| Sensitivity | −44.1 dBV/Pa (6.2 mV/Pa)1 kHz, into an unloaded circuit. "6.2mV/Pa (-44.1dBV) into unloaded circuit"; the cut sheet: "6.2 mV/Pa (at 1 kHz, no load)". | |
| Max SPL | 141 dB SPL1% third harmonic, above 1 kHz. "141 dB SPL (1% third harmonic > 1 kHz)". | |
| Output impedance | 92 ohmbroadband. "Output Impedance: 92 Ω broadband"; the cut sheet calls it "Rated Impedance". | |
| Rated load impedance | 1000 ohmor greater. "1.0 kΩ or greater". | |
| Rated frequency range | 20 Hz to 20 kHz"<20 Hz to >20 kHz"; the cut sheet: "< 20 Hz to 20 kHz". | |
| Powering | phantom 48 V (P48)"P48 phantom power, 7 mA". | |
| Current draw | 7 mA"The phantom current draw for active AEA ribbon mics is 7 milliamps." | p. 5 |
| Connector | XLR-3 male"XLR-3M". | p. 10 |
| Weight | 335 g"12 oz (335 g)". Shipping weight 1 lb 13 oz (810 g). | |
| Dimensions | 224 × 41 mmHeight "8.83 in" and width "1.62 in", converted (length and largest width). The printed metric values do not fit: "8.83 in (22.5 cm)" (the cut sheet says 32.4 cm), width "1.62 in (11.7 cm)", depth "1.62 in (9.5 cm)"; the drawing on p. 11 marks the two sides as ⌀1.38" and ⌀1.62". Depth left out. | |
| Supplied accessories | storage/shipping case; mic stand clip; soft cloth bag; user manual"Storage/shipping case, mic stand clip, soft cloth bag, user manual"; the cut sheet lists a "custom protective mic sleeve" instead of the bag, and calls the clip a "microphone stand clip"; the manual (p. 7) calls it "shock-mounted". | |
| Address | Side-address | p. 4 |
| Polarity | Pin 2 high for positive pressure at the front of the microphone | p. 10 |
| Off-axis response | Horizontal: up to 90 dB rejection at right angles to the front/back axis. Vertical: level changes with angle of incidence, but frequency response is consistent | |
| Near-field design | Built-in acoustic high-pass filter that reduces proximity effect; optimal distance 2 cm to 0.5 m (one to 18 inches) | p. 9 |
| Electronics | Phantom-powered JFET electronics and a custom German transformer | p. 4 |
| Pop protection | Multilayer protection; often usable for vocals without a pop filter. Optional NUVO windscreen | p. 6 |
| Made in | Pasadena, California | p. 2 |
| From the spec sheet (Recording Hacks copy) | ||
| Options | M: matched stereo pair | p. 2 |
| Series | First model of the NUVO series | p. 1 |
| From the Recording Hacks page | ||
| Released | 2013 | |
Documents
- AEA N22 Active Near-Field Ribbon Mic, Owner's Manual
- AEA NUVO N22 Specifications2023
- AEA N22 Phantom-Powered Ribbon Microphonecut sheet
- AEA N22 | RecordingHacks.com
Copies kept by Mic Archive (manufacturers move and drop their documents). Each is © Audio Engineering Associates, unchanged, with its original address.