AEA - R88A

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.

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.