Mic Archive
AEA N22
Photo: Audio Engineering Associates, from its manual, p. 1.

Audio Engineering Associates

AEA N22

Ribbon, figure-8, side-address, active (phantom-powered JFET electronics and transformer), near-field

Type
Ribbon
Pattern
Figure-8
Sensitivity
−44.1 dBV/Pa
Max SPL
141 dB SPL
Impedance
92 Ω
Rated range
20 – 20k Hz

Frequency response

Angle
Distance

Frequency response: from the manual, p. 11. "FREQUENCY RESPONSE", dBr; "Data below 200 Hz omitted due to measuring room restrictions", "0 dBr is equivalent to 6.2mV/Pa (-44.1dBV)", "Normalized to 0 dB at 1kHz. 1/3 octave smoothing". A CLIO MLS measurement dated 6-13-2019 (in the image, hidden on the page). Distance not stated.

Dashed: outside the rated range, or simulated (other angles and distances). Hover or tap the graphs for values.

Polar pattern

Polar pattern: from the manual, p. 11. "Directivity" (CLIO), full circle, 0° at the top, rings every 3 dB from 0 to -30 dB. Measuring conditions not stated. The rear lobe is opposite in polarity (manual p. 8: "positive polarity on the front and negative polarity on the back").

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All specs

From the manual
Capsulepure aluminium corrugated ribbon, 1.8 µm thick, 4.7 mm wide, 59.7 mm long. "Pure aluminum corrugated ribbon", "1.8 µm", "0.185 in (4.7 mm)", "2.35 in (59.7 mm)".p. 10
Sensitivity−44.1 dBV/Pa (6.2 mV/Pa), 1 kHz, into an unloaded circuit. "6.2mV/Pa (-44.1dBV) into unloaded circuit"; the cut sheet: "6.2 mV/Pa (at 1 kHz, no load)".
Max SPL141 dB SPL, 1% third harmonic, above 1 kHz. "141 dB SPL (1% third harmonic > 1 kHz)".
Output impedance92 ohm, broadband. "Output Impedance: 92 Ω broadband"; the cut sheet calls it "Rated Impedance".
Rated load impedance1000 ohm, or greater. "1.0 kΩ or greater".
Rated frequency range20 Hz to 20 kHz. "<20 Hz to >20 kHz"; the cut sheet: "< 20 Hz to 20 kHz".
Poweringphantom 48 V (P48). "P48 phantom power, 7 mA".
Current draw7 mA. "The phantom current draw for active AEA ribbon mics is 7 milliamps."p. 5
ConnectorXLR-3 male. "XLR-3M".p. 10
Weight335 g. "12 oz (335 g)". Shipping weight 1 lb 13 oz (810 g).
Dimensions224 × 41 mm. Height "8.83 in" and width "1.62 in", converted (length and largest width). The printed metric values do not fit: "8.83 in (22.5 cm)" (the cut sheet says 32.4 cm), width "1.62 in (11.7 cm)", depth "1.62 in (9.5 cm)"; the drawing on p. 11 marks the two sides as ⌀1.38" and ⌀1.62". Depth left out.
Supplied accessoriesstorage/shipping case; mic stand clip; soft cloth bag; user manual. "Storage/shipping case, mic stand clip, soft cloth bag, user manual"; the cut sheet lists a "custom protective mic sleeve" instead of the bag, and calls the clip a "microphone stand clip"; the manual (p. 7) calls it "shock-mounted".
AddressSide-addressp. 4
PolarityPin 2 high for positive pressure at the front of the microphonep. 10
Off-axis responseHorizontal: up to 90 dB rejection at right angles to the front/back axis. Vertical: level changes with angle of incidence, but frequency response is consistent
Near-field designBuilt-in acoustic high-pass filter that reduces proximity effect; optimal distance 2 cm to 0.5 m (one to 18 inches)p. 9
ElectronicsPhantom-powered JFET electronics and a custom German transformerp. 4
Pop protectionMultilayer protection; often usable for vocals without a pop filter. Optional NUVO windscreenp. 6
Made inPasadena, Californiap. 2
From the spec sheet (Recording Hacks copy)
OptionsM: matched stereo pairp. 2
SeriesFirst model of the NUVO seriesp. 1

Documents

Copies kept by Mic Archive, because manufacturers move and drop their documents. Each is © Audio Engineering Associates, unchanged, with its original address.

Product page on aearibbonmics.comRecording Hacks

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