The digital audio revolution was in full swing in 1998, promising a future of pristine clarity and seemingly limitless headroom. Engineers and producers chased the holy grail of “cleaner” audio, striving for recordings with perfect top-end detail and clarity.
At the same time, a renewed appreciation for ribbon microphones’ warmth, richness, and natural character was emerging, with AEA at its center. These elegant transducers, with their roots in the golden age of recording, offer a different kind of sonic magic – one that embraces the nuances and subtleties of a performance, capturing the true essence of the sound source with an addictive realism.
A little over 25 years later, we’re still here, holding firm to the products, principles, and innovation that continue to guide us today. Join us as we look back at the last quarter century and ahead to the next. From our biggest struggles and victories to what drives us into the future, this is, 25 Years of AEA: Past, Present, and Future.
Honoring Our Heritage
While our roots stretch back to our founder, Wes Dooley, meticulously restoring vintage RCA 44BXs, it was in ’98 that he officially founded AEA and solidified a commitment to not just preserving the legacy of ribbon mics, but pushing the boundaries of what this technology could achieve.
A case of the right person, right place, and right time, Wes’s unique background, knowledge, and work create the groundswell responsible for today’s ribbon mic popularity.
“Wes built AEA on the legacy of the RCA 44,” explains current AEA CEO Julie Tan. “He earned RCA’s trust and became the go-to expert for repairs and maintenance. He was the natural heir to that incredible sonic heritage.”
With his one-of-a-kind insight and detailed knowledge of the classic RCAs, Wes wasn’t swayed by the pursuit of ‘perfect’ digital sterility; he wanted the magic from capturing the true character of a sound source. This philosophy, and our relentless pursuit of natural, clean, audio, would guide AEA’s journey for the next 25 years.
Challenges and Triumphs
Those early days were a mix of exhilaration and uphill battles. Facing a market enthralled by the possibilities of digital audio, we were a small team, passionate about a technology many considered outdated. Convincing engineers and artists to embrace the “vintage vibe” of ribbon mics required patience, persistence, and a healthy dose of our Southern Californian innovative spirit.
Julie acknowledges the company’s early challenges but says the hard work has paid off. “It’s a throwback, bringing that warmth and feel of the past,” she admitted. “But that’s why I think bringing ribbon mics back into the conversation is one of our biggest successes.”
She’s absolutely right. Word of AEA’s work began spreading, attracting those who sought these true-to-life sounds, and wanting to keep the subtle details often lost in many condensers and dynamic mics of the time. Artists and engineers of all levels were raving about ribbon microphones’ warm touch, depth, and dimension. The industry began to rediscover the ribbon mic magic.
AEA Ribbon Microphones in 2025
Since then, AEA has won many hearts and minds throughout the recording industry, and we’re not done yet. Staying at the forefront of premium audio technology inspires us and presents new challenges to overcome. Not least is the precision and complexity involved in hand-crafting each of our microphones.
Unlike mass-produced condensers or dynamic mics, our microphones’ ribbon elements require meticulous cutting, shaping, installation, and hand-tuning. The tuning itself is a delicate dance that we watch closely. “From corrugating the ribbon to tuning it, every step is tightly managed,” Julie emphasizes. “It’s a highly technical and precise process.”
And the ribbon is only one part of our microphones. From how we source the mics’ materials to how we craft their grills, every microphone that leaves our workshop is a testament to the skill and dedication of our team. AEA ensures a level of quality that mass production can’t replicate, and it’s all because of the team of people who work here.
Modern Times Bring Modern Challenges
Along with fluctuating public tastes and the demands of highly technical manufacturing, all modern manufacturers must face mounting competition from overseas and me-too brands. And Julie says that the copies are getting harder to spot. “Even the clones have implemented Wes’ updates and innovations.”
This competition, unfortunately, often results in a race to the bottom in a product’s perceived value and quality. That’s why it’s so important to us that we protect our innovations.
We want you to know that you get something truly special when you choose AEA. It is a top-tier, hand-crafted, USA-made microphone and a reliable audio tool that will continue to perform every single time you reach for it.
A New Era for Ribbon Mics
While we all still love classic ribbon mic designs and vintage favorites, they’re only one side of who AEA is today. For us, it’s crucial to combine the platform’s best qualities with modern innovation that perfectly suits our mics to the needs of modern users.
Our active ribbon mics — like our Nuvo Series N8, N13, N22 and N28 — exemplify this philosophy. They take the ribbon mic platform and make it robust, accessible, and vastly more flexible working with a wide array of modern microphone preamps. Most importantly, they do it without sacrificing their signature sonic qualities.
The R88 stereo ribbon microphone also showcases our forward-thinking design. Its Blumlein-inspired design and dual figure-8 ribbon elements make it ideal for recording everything from acoustic instruments to complete ensembles. Its two-in-one nature makes it easy to use while capturing a soundstage’s full sonic spread.
When discussing our balance of heritage and innovation, Julie puts it best. “We blend time-tested techniques with cutting-edge designs but want to make it more accessible for today’s recording workflows.” And with her leading our way, that’s exactly what we’ll continue to do as we evolve what ribbon microphones can be.
The Next 25 Years at AEA
In 2022 Wes sold AEA Ribbon Microphones to Julie in 2022, and our journey is far from over. Sharing a deep respect for the brand’s legacy and a commitment to maintaining it for years to come, she’s moving us forward into a future where ribbon mics are no longer considered a niche tool but an essential part of every studio’s arsenal. Our goal is to lead the way.
And we’re not only speaking about ribbon mics. We want to continue providing a selection of the finest recording equipment. Our microphones, preamps, and DIs will always showcase world-class sound, unmatched quality, and a commitment to our USA-made ethos.
“People think of us as a microphone company, but we’re a company that’s simply committed to producing products that deliver clean, true, uncolored sound,” says Julie. “And we’re proud of where we come from, what we’ve accomplished, and where we’re going. So, if you’re passionate about great audio and willing to invest in the best, that’s where you’ll find us.”
What does the next 25 years look like at AEA? No one knows for sure. But we’ll continue fostering our community of passionate users who appreciate the artistry and dedication behind our company. We’ll always provide the customer support they need to keep their AEA microphone performing at its peak for years to come. And we’ll continue to innovate, exploring new ways to keep ribbon mics at the forefront of recording.
As we embark on the next 25 years, we invite you to join us on our adventure. Follow us here, sign up for our newsletter, and connect with us on social media. Let’s continue to explore the magic of ribbon microphones together as we shape the future of audio recording.