Audio Engineering Associates
AEA R84
Ribbon, figure-8 (large ribbon, passive)
Power None (phantom not required or recommended). Switch phantom power off before you plug it in: a faulty cable can damage the ribbon. Low output: it needs a lot of preamp gain.
- Type
- Ribbon
- Pattern
- Figure-8
- Sensitivity
- −52 dBV/Pa
- Among 28 ribbons: more output than 41%
- Among 311 mics: more output than 26%
- Max SPL
- 165 dB SPL
- Among 29 ribbons: takes louder sound than 86%
- Among 343 mics: takes louder sound than 99%
- Rated range
- 20 – 20k Hz
- Released
- 2003
vs 24 side-address ribbons
More output than 35% 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 85% 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.
Instruments sources recommend it for most
4 of 5; all under Recommended for.
Proximity effect: the bass it gains up close
From the spec sheet (Recording Hacks copy), p. 2.
"AEA R84 Frequency Response", "Output Voltage (dBr)"; 0 dB = -50 dBV (manual). Distance and room not stated.
Dashed: outside the rated range, or simulated (other angles and distances). Hover or tap the graphs for values.
In practice
All specs
| From the spec sheet (Recording Hacks copy) | ||
|---|---|---|
| Capsule | aluminium ribbon, 1.8 µm thick, 4.7 mm wide, 59.7 mm long | p. 2 |
| Sensitivity | −52 dBV/PaPrinted "-52 dBv/Pa"; the manual (p. 5) says 3 dB above an RCA 44B (-55) and 4 dB below the R44C (-48). | |
| Max SPL | 165 dB SPLabove 1 kHz, 1% third harmonic. "165 + dB SPL". | |
| Output impedance | 270 ohmnominal | |
| Rated load impedance | 1200 ohmor greater | |
| Rated frequency range | 20 Hz to 20 kHz"20 Hz to above 20 kHz". | |
| Powering | none (phantom not required or recommended) | |
| Connector | XLR-3 male on a 3 m captive cable | |
| Dimensions | 295 × 99 × 64 mmPrinted 11.6 x 3.9 x 2.5 inches (length, width, depth); converted. | |
| Supplied accessories | soft storage and shipping case; manual | |
| Weight | 3 pounds (about 1.4 kg) in its storage case with cable | |
| Vertical off-axis | Reduced HF response above and below the 0/180° axis; null at 90/270° | |
| Options | DJV (more internal shielding against plosives), TVV (non-reflective exterior), M (stereo-matched pair), U (custom engraving) | |
| From the Recording Hacks page | ||
| Released | 2003 | |
Documents
- R84 Series Studio Ribbon Microphonestechnical one-sheet v2.3
- AEA R84 Ribbon Microphone User's Manual1.2
- AEA R84 | RecordingHacks.com
Copies kept by Mic Archive (manufacturers move and drop their documents). Each is © Audio Engineering Associates, unchanged, with its original address.
Recommended for
By recording guides, engineers and mic makers, for this mic or an earlier version of it.