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AEA Ribbon Mics NUVO N13 Active Mid-Field Ribbon Microphone

BH #AEN13 • MFR #N13
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AEA Ribbon Mics NUVO N13 Active Mid-Field Ribbon Microphone
Key Features
  • For Studio Recording Applications
  • Ideal on Drums, Strings, Guitar & Piano
  • Near- to Mid-Field Distances: 8 to 36"
  • Reduced Proximity Effect
With sparkling highs and smooth lows, the N13 Active Ribbon Microphone from AEA Ribbon Mics is the mid-field entry to AEA's NUVO series, offering a ribbon mic for small and medium rooms with less than optimal acoustics. Ideal for drums, acoustic guitar, piano, horns, and strings, the N13 is highly tuned for the capture of transients.
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AEA Ribbon Mics N13 Overview

With sparkling highs and smooth lows, the N13 Active Ribbon Microphone from AEA Ribbon Mics is the mid-field entry to AEA's NUVO series, offering a ribbon mic for small and medium rooms with less than optimal acoustics. Ideal for drums, acoustic guitar, piano, horns, and strings, the N13 is highly tuned for the capture of transients.

The bidirectional ribbon in the N13 is AEA's smallest and thinnest ribbon yet at a mere 1.2 microns. This helps enhance transient response while ensuring optimal mid-field performance, allowing the mic to roll-off some low end and add clarity to your sound at distances of 1 to 3'. This lighter ribbon also reduces the intensity of the proximity effect, making it ideal for instrument recording. The low-profile design with a slate gray finish helps to ensure discreet placement, an especially useful feature for live broadcast scenarios. This microphone is 100% handcrafted in Pasadena, California and includes a mic stand clip, a storage case, and a custom protective mic sleeve.

The Middle Road of the NUVO Series
Discreet in both shape and size, AEA’s NUVO series microphones have long been user favorites for their clarity, portability, and higher-output active electronics. The near-field N22 delivers clarity and balance for close-up sources, while the far-field N8 excels at capturing the open, natural tonality of entire rooms and ensembles. The only missing piece? A stand-out mid-field companion.

Enter the N13, an equally sleek active ribbon designed with some distinctly different considerations in mind. At once open and natural, the N13 excels at medium-distance miking applications while demonstrating an impressive transient response. The N13 features a new motor design as well as a thinner, smaller ribbon (1.2 microns, rather than AEA's standard 1.8), making it their first non-big ribbon bidirectional mic.

Sonically Distinct, Functionally Versatile
Relatively bright and sonically distinct from the N22 model, the N13 excels in capturing the subtle nuances of strings, acoustic guitars, and percussion. It’s also well-suited for any sources that could use a boost in top-end clarity.

Even when used up close, such as on horns or vocals, the N13 delivers exceptional clarity while also taking EQ extremely well. The N13’s unobtrusive size and dark slate gray finish is ideal for live orchestral and TV work, where microphones need to be both inconspicuous and easy to position.

Under the Hood
With phantom-powered JFET electronics and a custom German transformer (identical to the other NUVO models), the N13 performs equally well with a wide range of preamps ranging from vintage high-end models to USB audio interfaces common in home studio setups. The full potential of the N13 is perhaps best realized when configured in the NUVO Stereo Kit, as it draws on the same successful sonic concepts as the AEA R88 stereo mic.
UPC: 652401978312

AEA Ribbon Mics N13 Specs

Key Specs
Microphone Type
Ribbon
Polar Pattern
Figure-8
Element Type
Ribbon
Controls
No
Frequency Response
20 Hz to 20 kHz
Maximum SPL
141 dB (1 kHz)
Analog Output
1x XLR 3-Pin Male
Power Sources
Phantom Power
Microphone
Microphone Type
Ribbon
Polar Pattern
Figure-8
Element Type
Ribbon
Sound Field
Mono
Diaphragm
0.05 mil / 1.2 µm (Thickness)
Orientation
Side Address
Controls
No
Pad
No
Circuitry
Solid-State (JFET)
Performance
Frequency Response
20 Hz to 20 kHz
Maximum SPL
141 dB (1 kHz)
Off-Axis Rejection
90 dB
Connectivity
Analog Output Connector
1x XLR 3-Pin Male
Power
Power Sources
Phantom Power
Operating Voltage
48 V
Physical
Color
Gray
Mounting Thread Size
5/8"-27 Female
Dimensions
H: 8.83 x W: 1.62 x L: 1.62" / 22.43 x W: 4.11 x L: 4.11 cm
Weight
12 oz / 340.2 g
Packaging Info
Package Weight
2.12 lb
Box Dimensions (LxWxH)
11.8 x 8.6 x 4"

AEA Ribbon Mics N13 Reviews

The ribbon I didn't know I needed.

By Richard
Rated 5 out of 5
Date: 2024-05-02

I have an extensive collection of ribbon microphones in my mic locker that I use on a regular basis, mostly live, but also in the studio. When the N13 came out, I ordered it as soon as I could.  AEA makes up a good part of my inventory and I knew it was a good bet that the N13 would be a quality microphone. Since purchasing it I have put it through its paces on a variety of sources.  Piano, electric guitar, acoustic guitar, trumpet, flute, vocals, drum overhead, sousaphone and steel pan. The N13 has all the same great characteristics that you would expect from a ribbon, but with something a little more.  With a shorter and thinner ribbon than the other AEA Big Ribbon Mics, the N13 has a better impulse response which translates into a much more detailed signal.  Although I have seen it described as brighter, I would stick with detailed.  Often ribbons are used to tame the highs on drum overheads, brass and especially steel pan, the N13 was wonderful on these sources as the detail was there, but I never felt like I needed to tame the high end and there was absolutely no harshness.    On vocals, I still have the same wonderful ribbon response, but the extra detail which captured breath sounds so smoothly, and added an intimacy to the vocals that was something I didn’t know I was missing until now. The sousaphone was my favorite use, as it was a fusion band, with a New Orleans second line feel, but with electric guitar, bass, drum kit and trumpet.  The N13 made the sousaphone big and bold, but the detail added and element that really made it work in the mix like never before.   For the finale, I was even able to work it into the sub, it was huge.   I definitely plan on adding more to my inventory as I definitely want to use it on multiple sources for some shows I do.

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