Audio Engineering Assoc A840
Active Studio Ribbon Microphone

A840

With the A840, AEA introduces the active version of its award-winning R84 microphone. The A840 flatters strings, woodwinds, drums, piano, voice, and much more with the ease and grace that only a Big Ribbon mic can deliver.

Now with phantom power, you now have a lot more flexibility in your choice of preamps because you no longer require the quiet gain that passive ribbons need so much of. The A840 also shares many of the characteristics of its granddaddy, the A440, but is much more economically priced. Because the A840 shares the same Big Ribbon as the rest of AEA's product line you'll achieve a sound with the A840 that is smooth, natural and free of any of the uncomfortable resonances that shorter ribbons and condensers can exhibit. The result is a sound that many engineers say sounds astonishly close to what your ear hears when you're actually standing in the studio because the R84 doesn't color the sound with a lot of its own characteristics. Because the A840 has significantly less proximity effect than the A440, the A840 makes an excellent spot mic as it is optimized to be positioned within 12" of the sound source without bass distortion.

The A840 makes all of this available in a single package: the signal strength and flexibility of active electronics combined with the luxurious warmth of a Big Ribbon all wrapped up in a much more affordable package. No studio is complete without a pair of A840's.

The microphone package includes a three meter cloth covered Accusound and an AEA vertical case for proper shipping and storage.

Features

• High output
• Compatibility with any preamp and input impedance
• Low self noise of 17.5 dB(A)
• Fast, accurate transient reproduction
• High SPL capability of 141dB
• Single-diaphragm with well-controlled, native figure-8 polar pattern
• Wide-band response from below 20Hz to beyond 20kHz

Specifications

• Operating Principle: Velocity microphone
• Frequency Response: 20Hz to 20kHz
• Powering: P48 phantom power, 7mA
• Maximum SPL: 141 dB SPL with a 1kohm load for <1% THD
• Output Sensitivity: -44dB V/Pa 1Pa=94dB SPL
• Output Impedance: 92 ohms broadband
• Recommended Load: 1.0kohm or greater
• Polarity: Pin 2 high for positive pressure on front of microphone
• Connector: XLR-3M wired to a captive 3 meter Accusound cable
• Polar Pattern: Native bi-directional pattern
  Horizontal: Level changes with angle, frequency response is consistent, -35dB null at 90°/270°
  Vertical: Level changes with angle, reduced HF response above and below 0°/180° axis, -35dB null at 90°/270°
• Transducer Element
  Ribbon Thickness: 1.8µ (0.0000018m) of pure aluminum
  Ribbon Width: 4.7mm
  Ribbon Length: 59.7mm
• Accessories Included:
  Custom vertical storage & transport case
  Captive three meter, cloth covered, Accusound audiophile cable
  Manual
• Limited Warranty: One year parts and labor, shipping not included
• Mic Dimensions: 11.6" x 3.9" x 2.5"
• Mic Weight: 1.875 lbs with 3m Accusound cable
• Case Dimensions: 16" x 7" x 6.4"
• Weight: 3.7 lbs with mic & cable in case

Our Part #  A840