The AEA Sessions features mostly individual musicians and small ensembles while utilizing minimal microphones. This enables artists to use their space as a tool to create performances as if the room itself is an instrument.

Every AEA mic has a unique personality that consists of different sonic colors, timbres, and characteristics – just like the artist. Together, each microphone is paired with the musician that allows them to shine within the context of their performance. The AEA Sessions capture these performances whether in a prestigious studio, a lion den at the old Los Angeles Zoo, a church balcony, a living room, or even a big loft.

Many AEA Sessions feature a single ribbon mic to capture the direct sound of the artist while a room mic positioned off in the distance is occasionally blended together to capture the natural room reverb and reflections of the performance space.

Every room has a different sound and it is important that each room’s sound is featured in the recordings since it is often an integral part of the performance. This style of recording is one of the core tenets of AEA’s recording philosophy and lets the listener truly hear the sound of each mic and musician.

The AEA Sessions is a collaboration with filmmaker, Alex Chaloff. With dedicated roots in directing, cinematography, and audio engineering, Alex set off to intertwine his two passions of film and audio. After learning about AEA mics through the Los Angeles Jazz scene, Alex realized that the natural sound of AEA mics could be used in almost any environment. En route to the AEA Sessions idea as a piece of art, he selects musicians and venues based on his creative vision.

Watch the AEA Sessions

Every AEA Session has a story.

Learn about the mic choices, venues, and see behind the scenes pictures for each session.