AEA R92 Ribbon Microphone
User’s Manual
• STUDIO RIBBON MICS
• M/S STEREO
• TALL STANDS
• MIC POSITIONERS
A
udio
E
ngineering
© March 2005
1029 N. Allen Ave. Pasadena, CA 91104 www.ribbonmics.com Phone: (626) 798-9128 Fax: (626) 798-2378
Associates
The R92 LRG™ Series Ribbon Microphone is designed for close micing of amplifiers, instruments and vocals.
The mic is optimized for micing distances of 6-12 inches, and has an extended high frequency response and
reduced bass proximity effect compared to other AEA models.
Your R92 will sound great on guitar amps, acoustic guitar, as a room mic for drums, and in many creative mic-
ing applications we haven’t even thought of yet. We want you to make recordings with your R92 as quickly as
possible, but please read through this manual carefully. Below you will find important information which could
help you avoid damage to your new microphone, as well as help you quickly get great sounding recordings with
the R92.
A Few Things to Remember...
1) Keep it covered when not in use.
Since the R92 contains powerful magnets, it is possible for tiny pieces of metal to be drawn into the rib-
bon gap. The microphone’s protective cloth surround protects the transducer from this so-called “tramp
iron”, but it is wise to safeguard your investment by keeping the mic covered with its supplied bag when
not in use. Avoid leaving the microphone sitting out on a table or workbench. In our experience this is a
likely place where tramp iron may be attracted to the microphone.
2) Store the mic upright.
Our ribbon transducers are tensioned very lightly for excellent transient response. To help ensure a long
life and consistent sound, keep the microphone stored upright to prevent “sagging” in the ribbon that
may occur during long term horizontal storage. Because AEA ribbon mics sound great on a variety of
sources, many people like to leave their mics set up vertically on a stand in their studio with the protec-
tive bag on.
3) Avoid phantom power.
Using a correctly wired cable and a properly working phantom power supply, there is little
danger of damaging the microphone with phantom power. However since using phantom power with
a faulty or miswired cable or a defective supply can cause severe damage to the transducer, we recom-
mend avoiding the use of phantom power with your R92 as a general rule.
4) Protect the microphone from wind blasts.
The ribbon element in your R92 is well-protected from the normal wind blasts that may occur when
making amp, instrument and vocal recordings, but it is still possible to damage the ribbon by careless
use and positioning. For example the R92 is NOT suitable for use inside a bass drum. A simple check
is to place your hand where you would like to put the mic. Make sure that you can’t feel any “wind”
against your palm. An inexpensive pop filter can be very helpful to avoid damaging wind blasts and the
associated noise that they will produce in the recording.
