AEA is a premier manufacturer of high-quality ribbon microphones, preamps, and professional recording equipment, handcrafted in Pasadena, California since 1998.
AEA (Audio Engineering Associates) is renowned for its dedication to the classic sound of ribbon microphones. Founded by Wes Dooley, the company has spent decades honoring the legacy of vintage recording equipment, most notably through their meticulous recreations of iconic RCA ribbon microphones like the legendary R44. Beyond faithful vintage replicas, AEA has developed a robust line of modern, active ribbon microphones, ultra-clean stereo preamps, and compressors specifically designed to capture authentic, high-fidelity audio with modern convenience.
Handcrafted in Pasadena, California, AEA products are built using locally sourced parts and require extensive attention to detail. Whether you are a professional studio engineer or an audio enthusiast, AEA provides the tools to achieve warm, natural, and highly musical recordings. Our database provides official owner's manuals, usage guidelines, maintenance tips, and exact specifications to help you get the absolute best performance and longevity from your AEA microphones and outboard gear.
Latest manuals from manuals+ curated for this brand.
Common questions about manuals, registration, and support for this brand.
No, passive ribbon microphones do not require phantom power, and it is highly recommended to keep it disengaged prior to patching to prevent potential damage to the ribbon element.
AEA's official repair center is located at 1029 N. Allen Ave, Pasadena, CA 91104, U.S.A. We recommend contacting support@ribbonmics.com before sending in any equipment.
Always cover your microphone with the supplied protective bag or place it in its hard case when not in use. This protects the sensitive ribbon from dust, damaging gusts of air, and microscopic iron particles (tramp iron) that can attract to the magnets.
AEA products come with a one-year limited warranty on parts and labor. You can extend this to a three-year warranty by registering your product on the AEA website within 90 days of purchase.