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Post by stormymondays on Jan 16, 2019 13:17:21 GMT -6
In the next few months I'm looking to invest into an AEA R44 microphone, and I'm not sure which is the right choice. Here's their page explaining the current line-up: www.aearibbonmics.com/the-44-series-5-versions-of-a-classic/I'd love to get the A440 (top of the line, painfully expensive, active, state-of-the-art). However, I could get the R44CE or the CXE, one of their ribbon preamps, and still save a LOT of money! Supposedly the sound of the mics is the same across the range. Ideas? |
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Post by Blackdawg on Jan 16, 2019 14:23:07 GMT -6
I skip the CE ones. Why cheap out?
the normal C would be most appealing to me. Other than the A440. But you'd want a nice high gain clean pre amp for the C.
No way in hell they all sound exactly the same. Thats just marketing talk. You can't cut corners and not have it sound different.
Be handy if you could demo a couple at a time. What id try and do.
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Post by stormymondays on Jan 16, 2019 14:43:36 GMT -6
"In an effort to make the iconic sound of the R44C more affordable, AEA incorporated more cost effective exterior components that don’t compromise build quality or durability. It delivers precisely the same sound as the R44C and retains most of the iconic visual elements of the original". Yes, it would make a lot of sense to demo a couple. I might need to make a trip to London for that though!
And still, I could get the R44C and their preamp for quite a bit less than the A440. Maybe that would be a good option...
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Post by Blackdawg on Jan 16, 2019 14:47:53 GMT -6
The 44c would be great sounding im sure. Hell I bet they all sound good.
You can't get a dealer to let you demo them? hell even Sweetwater you can order and return within 30 days. I know they aren't cheap but if you can slap them on the CC 2 at a time you can at least hear them. Not a lot of microphones out there that id buy blindly. Ribbons are not one of those for me.
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Post by stormymondays on Jan 16, 2019 14:59:47 GMT -6
I'm in Spain so I wouldn't mind hopping on a plane and demo them in person at Funky Junk  I suppose I can get a dealer in Spain to arrange something, but I think it's the kind of item that's not regularly in stock over here... |
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Post by Blackdawg on Jan 16, 2019 15:03:18 GMT -6
I'm in Spain so I wouldn't mind hopping on a plane and demo them in person at Funky Junk I suppose I can get a dealer in Spain to arrange something, but I think it's the kind of item that's not regularly in stock over here... ahhhhh gotcha. Over the big pond from me. Well Id highly suggesting trying to find a way to demo them if you can. |
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Post by bricejchandler on Jan 16, 2019 15:52:13 GMT -6
The r44c and CE sound the same to me.
The c is just way better looking, it's a gorgeous mic, the CE is a cosmetically stripped down version but to me sounds just as good.
I own the CE and it's a great mic, better than all the cheaper Aeas for my taste and than any Royer I've ever used. I doubt you'd be disappointed.
I haven't compared it to the active version of the mic, which from what I've heard online, sounds fabulous but almost twice the price too.
I don't find the r44ce to be that picky as far as preamps, certainly not as picky as some older ribbons I've used, and even though it needs quite a bit of gain, again its output is not that low.
The r44 is not that common in studios but a lot of people have the r84, and they are in the same family, if you can get your hands on an r84, it should give you a general idea of the r44's vibe, if you don't like the 84, you probably won't like the 44 that much.
One thing about the 44 is that it needs space, it sounds great and natural at a distance so you're not gonna be using it the same way you'd use a Royer 121 for example .
So if your room is so so something like the new N8 might be better.
I'm on vacation right now but I try to upload some samples at some point.
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Post by aremos on Jan 16, 2019 18:30:00 GMT -6
So, did anyone get to buy the special edition one that came out months ago? Think it was a breed of the 44 & 440?
Went to buy it & it sold out immediately (& $2,500.)
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Post by hadaja on Jan 16, 2019 20:38:36 GMT -6
I compared my friends stereo pair of those AEA Ltd Ed r44's to my RCA 44 bx. I was surprised that the AEA did not have the similar sweet "top end" part of the RCA. And i also prefferred the low end of the RCA.
But the AEA were less noisier then the RCA, and still had a nice big proximity. They were not the same sounding but were close.
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ericn
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Balance Engineer
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Post by ericn on Jan 17, 2019 7:55:17 GMT -6
I'm in Spain so I wouldn't mind hopping on a plane and demo them in person at Funky Junk I suppose I can get a dealer in Spain to arrange something, but I think it's the kind of item that's not regularly in stock over here... From what I remember the AEA 44- series are pretty much all made to order so even in the states a demo is going to take some work to arrange. I would contact your dealer and AEA to set something up. Now on something like this a buy it for a 30 demo because the dealer will take it back if you don’t like it is probably the number one way to not make friends with your dealer. Nobody wants to get stuck with a special order mic on the shelf that they are going to have to discount to move if you don’t like it. Yeah, it maybe their stated policy, but nobody likes returns and gearpimps remember those who cause them problems. So if you want to demo something your favorite gear emporium doesn’t normally stock be straight with them that you want a demo, it might take some time to arrange something but in the long run I’ll bet it saves you money. |
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Post by adamjbrass on Jan 17, 2019 11:18:45 GMT -6
Actually, Eric, AEA Has a demo program that makes it much easier to keep your pimp from getting mad at you.
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ericn
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Balance Engineer
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Post by ericn on Jan 17, 2019 12:33:33 GMT -6
Actually, Eric, AEA Has a demo program that makes it much easier to keep your pimp from getting mad at you. Good to know Adam and that’s part of why I suggested telling your gearpimp when you want to demo rather than the buy for a demo so you don’t get stuck with a bstock. |
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Jan 17, 2019 14:11:28 GMT -6
FunkyJunk Paris or Milan might be able to sort you out (dealt with both, both great, have a close friend who has been working at FunkyJunk Italy/Milan for over a decade, he's their solder monkey!) If Paris, then you could meet me and I'd buy you a beer too. Or Thomann? They have a 30 day return policy. |
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