🎙️ Meet the Master Behind the Ribbon: AEA’s Jeremy Hopkinson

The Human Touch That Powers AEA Ribbon Microphones

At AEA, legendary sound isn’t just about engineering – it’s about people. And few people embody that ethos more than Jeremy Hopkinson, AEA’s Master Ribboner and the steady hand behind thousands of meticulously crafted ribbon microphones. In a world of automation and mass production, Jeremy’s story is a rare celebration of craft, tradition, and sonic passion.

From Office Desk to Ribbon Bench

Jeremy didn’t start at AEA tuning microphones – he began in the office, handling admin work, building the first AEA website, and even managing purchasing. But when an opportunity arose to learn ribbon cutting from an experienced team member, he took it. Over two decades later, he’s become a cornerstone of AEA’s production process. “If you wanted to make a difference, there was an opportunity,” he recalls.

What It Takes to Be a Ribbon Master

Crafting a ribbon mic isn’t just technical – it’s practically an art form. Jeremy works with ultra-thin aluminum leaf, shaping it with custom-built crimping gears to give the ribbon its characteristic waveform. That shape is crucial: it helps the mic withstand airflow and capture sound with nuance.

He uses the old RCA method of tuning – tapping the ribbon to adjust its natural resonance until it hits the perfect frequency. “There’s a finesse to it,” Jeremy explains. “You have to develop an eye to see that it’s centered and straight.”

There Are Only a Few Like Him

Ribbon mics require a level of precision and care that few companies in the world can provide in-house. Jeremy estimates only a handful of “true ribboners” are working in the U.S. today. “You’d spend more time quality checking someone else’s work than just doing it yourself,” he says.

Busting the Ribbon Mic Myths

Ribbon microphones have long carried a myth of fragility, but Jeremy wants to set the record straight: “They’re not too fragile if you treat them right. Even if you blow out a ribbon, everything else in the mic stays rock solid.”

AEA’s Values in Action

Jeremy’s favorite mics? The AEA N8, for its clarity on voice and strings, and the KU4, thanks to its supercardioid pattern that simplifies post-production work.

His long tenure at AEA reflects more than job satisfaction – it’s about pride in craftsmanship and the evolution of the company under new leadership. “Julie Tan is taking the company to the next level. We’re becoming more competitive, more professional, and it feels like we’re building something long-term.”

Why This Story Matters

In an industry often dominated by faceless tech, Jeremy Hopkinson reminds us that people still make the biggest difference. Every AEA ribbon microphone carries not just engineering brilliance – but the fingerprints of dedication, tradition, and care.

👉 Read the full AEA feature here, and stay tuned for more stories like this on our blog, as we aim to provide inside access to the gear and people who shape the sound of today’s greatest recordings…

And don’t forget to check out the entire range of stellar AEA microphones and recording gear. 👇

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