AEA - R84A

I loved the AEA R84A on vocals - I tracked [this tune](https://open.spotify.com/track/44k0mZsyPlmB1tpGi96ial?si=2cd07cde3d714b29) with the R84A on lead vocals. The passive version is also really great, just needs a really clean preamp for it. The AEA R44 is also a great mic, but it hits the top end of the budget. I've heard really good things about AEAs KU5A, but I have never used or tried it. The 4038 I would lean away from for a vocal unless I particularly wanted a dark, old school sound. But it can sound really nice on the right voice. It's possible that the 122s would sound nice on a vocal - I've only used the 122 on horns, but I would imagine it could work nicely on vocals. Same with the Beyer ribbons, although I'd be less inclined to throw those on a vocal. Love them on horns and guitar cabinets.

Those are the classics. The R84A is not necessary if you have the AEA RPQ. That being said, I have the R84A and love it on guitar cabs and sax.

Curious what the recording engineers here think. Not including historically amazing ribbnon mics like the RCA KU-3A or the 44 here, this is my list: **1) Royer 122** Really surprised by how much I liked this one. This is my workhorse mic that gets used on everything and anything. It's not as dark as the 121 iteration, and the extra gain means less to no noise. I always thought it was just an electric guitar cab mic, but I can't think of a source that I wouldn't use it on. It sounds like a better version of what my ear is hearing in the room. **2) Coles 4038** Probably the obvious first for most people as nothing beats the Coles on overheads. **3) AEA R84** Great modern revision of a classic. At it's price nothing beats it. they're a little gain hungry so the active version is necessary imo. **4) Shure KSM313** Just all around great. Guitar cabs is where these shine. **4) AEA R88** I had a honey moon phase with the R88. They sounded great but I just don't like being limited to the XY pattern. They sound hyper realistic and 3D, but there's always a bit of noise with these. and they really capture the room. I mean really. **5) Beyerdynamic M160** Probably my least favorite of the popular ribbons -- so many swear by these, but I just think they're crummy sounding. I don't hear the ribbon magic in these at all. I've gotten good guitar cab recordings from these but couldn't justify it at the price.

I'm definitely an anomaly on the M160. Everyone loves them. I love using the R84 on less distorted/driven electric guitar. It doesn't necessarily have to be less distorted but, it captures the reverb of the amp really well, and makes for amazing 3D sounding guitar amp recordings.

That is true. I would do this a lot actually on acoustic, and do the old double the side mic trick. It's a fantastic mic, but I do feel like some of the other ribbons (even the 84A) have a more finished sound.

It's a fantastic mic. Have you used the R84 though? I personally like what that one does a bit more.