AEA RPQ3

A Solid Signal for Your Ribbon Mics

Sweetwater studio engineers love the dark and warm quality that ribbon mics can lend to a signal. That said, some have shared war stories of their difficulties in placing ribbon mics on quieter sources. Thankfully, with the AEA RPQ3 2-channel Ribbon Microphone Preamp and EQ, those troubles are an issue of the past. With ultra-low self-noise and distortion plus 85dB of clean JFET output gain, the PRQ3 enables you to capture any source with your beloved ribbon mics. Its 68k ohm high-impedance circuity also provides clearer transients, broader frequency response, and greater output sensitivity. The AEA PRQ3 also features high/low frequency boosts and cuts for shaping your top end as well as minimizing proximity effect, and offers convenient routing options via its Post-Mic and Pre-EQ inserts. A polarity switch and optional +48V phantom power are also onboard. Finally, the AEA PRQ3 features an open-back access to the AC power switch, making it usable anywhere in the world via switchable 115V or 230V.

Get it right at the source

In addition to giving your ribbon mics a noise-free signal, the AEA PRQ3 also features the CurveShaper EQ, offering sweepable high-frequency adjustment from 2.5kHz to 30kHz (3dB point). This feature dramatically helps open up your top end should you need it. You also get a low-frequency boost/cut with sweepable frequency adjustment from 40Hz to 675Hz (3dB point) that will help you minimize proximity effect. The HF/LF features offer a max cut or boost from -20dB to 20dB and, together with the PRQ3’s ultra-clean noise-free operation amps, ensure that your tracks will sound superb.

Use your ribbons on anything

Ribbon mics have such a distinct, ear-grabbing sound, but the gain needed to capture quieter audio sources with ribbon mics often results in noise being introduced into the signal. With the AEA PRQ3, this is no longer a problem. Its incredibly low noise floor and distortion allow you to turn up to 85dB of pristine JFET gain — more than enough to capture even timid vocalists. And its 68k ohm high-impedance circuitry provides more accurate transients and broader frequency response while assuring you’ll have more than enough output.

Take your ribbons anywhere

In addition to onboard polarity invert and optional +48V phantom power, the open-back access to the AEA PRQ3’s AC power switch means that it’s a cinch to convert your voltage between US standard 115V and 230V. Not only can you now use your ribbons on anything, but you can also take them anywhere!

AEA RPQ3 Ribbon Preamp and EQ Features:

• 2-channel, high-gain, full-rack mic preamp
• Ultra-high 68KΩ input impedance (phantom power off)
• 7 to 85 dB of gain
• EQ in/out switching (overall and individual bands)
• LED indicators light up only when the EQ is actually engaged
• LF Boost/Cut: sweepable frequency adjustment from 40Hz to 675Hz (3 dB point), with max cut or boost from -20dB to 20dB 

• HF Boost/Cut: sweepable frequency adjustment from 2.5kHz to 30kHz (3 dB point), with max cut or boost from -20dB to 20dB
• Pre-EQ line-out (always active)
• Insert Switch input switching (line input bypasses mic preamp)
• +48V phantom
• Polarity switch
• Linear power supply with external 115V/230V switching