recordinghacks

AEA R88

Multi-Pattern Ribbon Stereo Microphone

The R88 is a stereo ribbon microphone, with two ribbon transducers mounted at 90° to one another. Each ribbon produces a figure-of-8 response; together, the two form a Blumlein microphone.

The R88 uses the large ribbon configuration of the classic RCA 44 series mics — although a significantly smaller motor housing and magnet assembly. The motor assembly is shockmounted to reduce mechanical noise.

The mic has minimal blast protection.

It is finished in “stealth” black. The mic has a permanently-attached 4M cable that terminates in two XLR3M output jacks. It ships with a velvet-lined nylon case and includes a separate nylon bag to prevent the mic’s magnets from being contaminated by stray iron particles (aka “tramp iron”).

The R88 was replaced in AEA’s product line in 2010 by the R88 mk2.

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The mic was released in 2004.

Specifications

Frequency Response - BlumleinClick Graph to Compare!

Pickup Patterns	Pads & Filters
Bidirectional (2.5 mV/Pa; 20 - 11,000 Hz) Blumlein (2.5 mV/Pa; 20 - 11,000 Hz)

Ribbon Construction	Impedance	SPL/Noise
dual 1.8µm pure aluminum ribbons	270 Ohms (Low)	Max SPL: 165 dB

Weight	Length	Max Diameter	Interface(s)
2268g (80.00oz)	404mm (15.91'')	66mm (2.60'')	3-pin XLR male (2)

Power Specifications

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