AEA N8 Stereo kit

Pair of active ribbon microphones with stereo bar

Stereo microphone kit – includes two AEA N8s, laser-engraved template bar, two custom Nuvo windscreens and carrying case.

The AEA N8 is the second member of AEA’s NUVO series of microphones. Rooted in the RCA tradition just like other AEA ribbons, all NUVO microphones are designed to offer a fresh approach to the ribbon transducer and represent Wes Dooley’s take on the evolution of the ribbon microphone.

The N8 captures a space as it sounds live and in person, with all the present subtlety and nuance. Its expansive frequency response and balanced low end make it superbly effective when capturing the full breadth of sound from the back of a room or above a drum set.

It boasts the widest frequency range of any mic in the AEA lineup and effortlessly manages more complex source audio like drums, strings, piano, and other instruments that produce harsher highs and bellowing lows. The full potential of the N8 is perhaps best realized when part of a stereo array since it draws from the same successful concepts as the AEA R88.

The N8 is a far-field ribbon mic, meaning it is ideally designed to be placed at a distance of 12 inches or further from the sound source. This allows a huge range of positions for the N8s to naturally capture an instrument within the context of a room.

As far away as 20 feet, the N8 retains the low end of the frequency spectrum. Combined with its open and natural tonality, the N8’s far-field design makes it perfect as mains for capturing entire orchestras or on overheads to record the full low end of a drum kit. If used closer than 12 inches, proximity effect comes into play. This beneficial effect can be used to thicken up the sound of a voice or instrument.

The N8 can be positioned close to instruments and other loud sources when proximity effect is desired easily handling 141+ dB SPL at 1 kHz.

For a more balanced sound from up close with reduced proximity effect, the AEA N22 near-field ribbon mic is a nice complement.

Kit features

• Two N8 microphones
• Laser-engraved template bar with all the hardware needed to set up Blumlein or other stereo configurations
• Two custom Nuvo windscreens made by Windtech
• High-quality SKB carrying case with foam inserts