NAMM 2018: AEA TRP2 may be the ultimate ribbon mic preamp

31 Jan 2018 by Lyubomir Dobrev | Approximate reading time: 2 Minutes

· Source: Ribbon Mics

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A good ribbon mic is always a delight on the right instrument, but like all microphones, it needs a solid preamp to shine. At NAMM 2018, AEA introduced the TRP2 preamp – a follow-up to the original TRP, which was likely the first preamp designed exclusively for ribbon microphones.

For the update, AEA seems to have taken all that made the original TRP great, and added modern functionality to give users more flexibility with today’s equipment. Starting with a hign-gain, high input impedance design, AEA went on to implement the following key features:

Phantom Power

Although ribbon mics started as passive designs that do not need any power, microphone makers have offer active ribbon mics for a long time. The TRP2 is now able to handle these.

Phantom Power Lock Out

Each of the TRP2’s two channels has an internal phantom power toggle switch. This toggle switch can be armed to prevent switching on phantom power by accident from the TRP2’s control panel.

Higher Impedance and More Output

With an 85dB of total output, the TRP2 ranks among the highest-gain mic preamplifiers on the market today. Input impedance is also higher this time around, at 63K Ohms. This benefits both condensers and active mics, ensuring proper power is supplied to have them show their best.

Switchable low-frequency filters

The pre fetures switchable 100Hz, 12dB per octave low-frequency filters for solving excess bass frequency build-ups and other problems caused by proximity.

Universal Power Supply

Users around the world no longer have to swap out power supplies to use the preamp in their country.

Half-Rack Design

The TRP2 is designed to let two units be mounted next to each other in a single-space 1U rack slot. It can be ordered with an optional set of rack ears to facilitate mounting.