AEA TRP The Ribbon Pre 2-Channel High Gain FET Microphone Preamplifier
The TRP (The Ribbon Pre) is an ultra high gain and high impedance, minimal-path FET microphone preamp designed by Fred Forssell. At a time when most preamps were geared towards the needs of condenser mics, the launch of AEA's TRP started a new movement in preamp design that specifically addresses the needs of ribbon mics. First, the JFET discrete front end provides 83 dB of gain. AEA designed that gain as quiet as physically possible opening up new possibilities for engineers using low sensitivity microphones. By leaving out the phantom power blocking capacitors and by using an external power supply, AEA created a minimal-path circuitry that captures the pure tone of your passive ribbons all the way down to the lowest bass frequencies. Secondly, the ultra high input impedance of the TRP's input stage avoids any preamp loading effects to ensure that you get the all the sound your passive ribbon and moving coil microphones can deliver. The TRP is a cost-effective, high-quality solution providing a pure and transparent signal path for all ribbons, tube, and moving coil microphones that do not need or do not want phantom power.
Despite the small half-rack footprint, the TRP packs several key features that are critical for professional recording. The gain structure of the 2-channel (dual mono) preamp consists of an input gain control and an output level control. The input gain is set with a high-grade twelve position Grayhill switch. Another 21 dB of additional gain are provided by the output stage and controlled via a continuous pot that acts as a fader. The output fader not only allows for executing minute and click-free gain adjustments while recording, but it also facilitates the possibility of fade-outs and doubles as a mute function. Professional Neutrik 3-pin XLR and 1/4” TRS outputs provide simultaneous balanced and unbalanced outputs, allowing the TRP's signals to be sent to two devices at the same time without the need for additional splitting. In a live recording situation, for example, the balanced outputs could feed the live mixing console while the unbalanced TRS signal is sent to a recorder or DAW interface. Polarity reverse switches for ensuring proper polarity throughout the recording chain and switchable 100 Hz, 12 dB per octave high pass filter (HPF) per channel complete the toolkit of the TRP. Internal audio switching is handled by gold-contact relays keeping the audio path short and simple for best sound.
Features:
- Two channels with 81dB of sweet and quiet gain
- Optimized for passive ribbon, tube, and moving coil mics
- No Load DC coupled design for extended bass response
- Switchable polarity reverse and high-pass filter
- Switched Gain and Continuous Level Controls
- Phase reverse and high-pass switches
- Anodized gray and black matte finished aluminum
- Laser engraved legends and single line schematic
- External power supply for minimum noise
The AEA TRP is the only mic preamp designed specifically for ribbon mics. Unleash your ribbon microphones’ full potential with a TRP, and hear music more completely than ever before. Your ribbon mics will sound loud, clean and open, with fuller bass response.AEA’s TRP has the quick, quiet gain you need for digital recording of ribbon, moving coil and tube mics.
The Ribbon PreTM has the speed needed for high resolution 192 kHz recording. With 300 kHz of bandwidth and our DC coupled, Low-Energy-Storage (LES)TM circuit topology this preamp delivers outstanding dynamic response and bandwidth, and recovers instantly from overloads.TRPs have enough gain to let you hear how noisy the universe really is, but within the limits of physics, provide quiet gain. Our DC coupled mic inputs let you hear all the dynamics, subwoofer bass and fast transients that your ribbon and tube mics can deliver. This discrete front end and integrated circuit JFET design combines the quiet gain of solid state with an openness reminiscent of tubes.