AEA N8

Active 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.

• Astonishingly open and natural sound
• Far-field ribbon mic designed to retain low end and top end at a distance
• Same design philosophy as the AEA R88 stereo ribbon mic
• Compact, lightweight, and discreet design
• Active electronics and custom transformer optimized for all preamps
• Made in the U.S.A.