Discreet in both shape and size, AEA’s NUVO series microphones have long been user favorites for their clarity, portability, and higher-output active electronics. The near-field N22 delivers clarity and balance for close-up sources, while the far-field N8 excels at capturing the open, natural tonality of entire rooms and ensembles. The only missing piece? A stand-out mid-field companion. Enter the N13, an equally sleek active ribbon designed with some distinctly different considerations in mind. At once open and natural, the N13 excels at medium-distance miking applications while demonstrating an impressive transient response. The N13 features a new motor design as well as a thinner, smaller ribbon (1.2 microns, rather than our standard 1.8), making it our first non-Big Ribbon bidirectional mic! Relatively bright and sonically distinct from our N22 model, the N13 excels in capturing the subtle nuances of strings, acoustic guitars, and percussion. It’s also well-suited for any sources that could use a boost in top-end clarity. Even when used up close, such as on horns or vocals, the N13 delivers exceptional clarity while also taking EQ extremely well. The N13’s unobtrusive size and dark slate gray finish is ideal for live orchestral and TV work, where microphones need to be both inconspicuous and easy to position.