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AEA N22 Active Ribbon Microphone

Active Ribbon Microphone with 2.35" Ribbon, Figure-8 Polar Pattern, Custom German-made Transformer, and Phantom Power
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AEA N22 Active Ribbon Microphone
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A Ribbon Mic for Today's Musician

The AEA N22 gives you awesome ribbon mic performance, affordably. With its increased upper-mid presence, this handcrafted, US-made microphone is not only designed to punch through the mix - it's built to last. Boasting AEA's acclaimed 2.35" Big Ribbon, the N22 sports robust ribbon protection and reduced proximity effect, so you can close mic without worry. A custom German-made transformer provides excellent bandwidth, consistency, and distortion characteristics, while phantom power lets you work with a wide range of preamps. You need a great ribbon mic, and Sweetwater's got it: the AEA N22.

AEA N22 Active Ribbon Microphone at a Glance:
  • Increased upper-mid presence lets you cut through a busy mix
  • This mic is designed for today's musician - you!
  • AEA's NUVO Series mics give you the best of vintage and modern
Increased upper-mid presence lets you cut through a busy mix

You're laying down a lead vocal on top of a thick rock track. How will you ever mix this monster? Not to worry - you're singing into the AEA N22. This cool ribbon mic sports a smooth upper-midrange presence that lets vocals, guitars, and other instruments cut through the mix - without the need for EQ in most cases. So, go ahead and record that killer vocal. AEA's got you covered!

This mic is designed for today's musician - you!

The AEA N22 is designed for the modern musician - you, right? You likely work in a DAW-based studio situated on a desktop in your home. You don't have room (or the budget) for an enormous mic locker with dozens of high-end mics - you need a few affordable, high-quality mics that can cover it all. Enter the N22. It sounds great on everything from vocals to guitar to percussion, and it's definitely not finicky to work with. Its custom German-made transformer delivers superior bandwidth, consistency, and distortion characteristics, while its phantom power lets you season your sound with a wide range of preamps. You can even use it close up without boominess, thanks to its reduced proximity effect. And the N22's max SPL of 141dB lets you use it on loud sources like guitar cabs and snare drums without fear of damaging it.

AEA's NUVO Series mics give you the best of vintage and modern

The mastermind behind AEA, Wes Dooley, conceived the NUVO Series as the natural evolution of the ribbon microphone. Like other AEA ribbon microphones, NUVO Series mics are steeped in the RCA tradition, but they've taken a fresh approach by focusing on modern application requirements. Incredibly versatile and easy to use, the AEA N22 delivers the velvety sound of classic ribbon mics - but with added upper-mid presence, truly impressive performance specs, and bulletproof US-made build quality. And AEA has managed to deliver all this at a very reasonable price. You've simply got to love this mic.

AEA N22 Active Ribbon Microphone Features at a Glance:
  • Increased upper-mid presence lets you cut through a busy mix without the need for EQ
  • Reduced proximity effect allows for up-close miking without boominess
  • Maximum SPL of 141dB lets you use it on very loud sources
  • Ribbon is heavily protected, letting you close-mic without pop-filters or wind protection
  • Phantom-powered for optimal performance with a wide range of preamps
  • Uses the same 2.35" Big Ribbon that AEA microphones have built their reputation on
  • Robust, easy-to-use design works with 3rd-party clamp mounts
  • Custom German-made transformer with excellent bandwidth, consistency, and distortion characteristics
  • Small form factor is easy to use with lightweight stands and in tight-miking situations
  • Exemplary figure-8 polar pattern
  • 100% handcrafted in Pasadena, CA
  • Requires +48V phantom power
Invest in an awesome, affordable ribbon mic: the AEA N22!

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Tech Specs

  • Microphone Type: Ribbon
  • Ribbon Type: Aluminum 1.8-micron width
  • Mono/Stereo: Mono
  • Polar Pattern: Figure-8
  • Frequency Response: 20Hz-20kHz
  • Max SPL: 141dB
  • Output Impedance: 92 ohms
  • Sensitivity: 8.3mV/Pa @ 1kHz
  • Connector: XLR
  • Power Source: 48V phantom power
  • Dimensions: 8.83" x 1.62"
  • Weight: 0.75 lbs.
  • Manufacturer Part Number: N22

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Customer Reviews

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Rated 5/5

Go To Mic

Absolutely love this Mic. I have used a number of microphones to try to capture acoustic guitars and vocals and this one has exceeded my expectations. Probably the most natural-sounding mic I have ever owned. Especially nice since I record in a small room and at times there is ambient noise coming from various directions since I do not have good sound insulation. You can place this mic to seriously reduce ambient noise 90 degrees from the front or back which is very helpful in this situation. Would like to thank Alan Moon, my go-to guy at Sweetwater. I have worked with several representatives at Sweetwater over the last 5 years or so, but Alan is the best!! I've spent tens of thousands of dollars at Sweetwater and it's really nice to have a rep like him who always goes out of his way to help even if I'm bugging him time after time for tutorial advice after the sale. I've never had such a knowledgeable rep and he has really helped me get rolling with my new adventure in recording..
Music background: Been playing Elec, Acoustic, Bass Guitar, for 59 years, Keyboard for 30 year and steel guitar for 4 years.
Rated 5/5

Nice, affordable ribbon mic

Sounds good on acoustic guitar as well as electric guitar amp.
Rated 5/5

A true must have

This microphone is an absolute must have. If you are looking for a near field ribbon mic look no further. This is my first ribbon mic and now I understand why AEA is constantly praised. As soon as I heard the N22 on my voice I knew I finally found the mic I had been looking for for nearly 30 years. Then on my acoustic instruments it was simply heavenly. That slight lift and bass roll off is an absolute sonic grand slam. I have pairs of some excellent higher priced Austrian and German large diaphragm condensers that may end up on the shelf or find themselves being traded in for more AEA mics. You really can't go wrong with this mic.
Music background: Project Studio, Multi Instrumentalist
Rated 5/5

Great Active Ribbon

I had purchased one of these a year or so ago and it's useful for so many sources. I use it mostly for acoustic guitar, electric guitar amp cabinets and vocals. It's very smooth and warm. So I bought another as I track alot of instruments live off the floor. Wonderful addition to the locker!
Music background: Performer, engineer, writer
Rated 5/5

I don’t know how they did it

I don't know how they did it but I can't get this mic to sound bad! I wish I had this years ago. My wife bought me this for my birthday and I am stunned! Vocals, acoustic guitar, octave mandolin, trumpet…all sound amazing. Natural sound, no harshness. And I can eq in the post without fear of any weirdness..unbelievable. I need a few more of these, I will be calling Yuval…
Music background: Engineer/producer
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