Grammy-Winning Engineer Brandon Bell Records AmericanaFest Sessions with AEA Ribbon Microphones

Using an all-AEA signal chain, Bell captured the warmth, detail, and authenticity of more than 20 performances across a demanding three-day run.

February 3, 2026

Nashville, TN, February 3, 2026 — Each year, thousands flock to Nashville for the AmericanaFest music festival and conference, an annual celebration showcasing rising talent while honoring the genre’s roots and future. During AmericanaFest in Fall 2025, AEA Ribbon Mics partnered with The Bluegrass Situation to record live in-studio sessions with more than 20 artists, including Donovan Woods and Franklin Jonas, at Welcome to 1979 Studios. The recordings were engineered and mixed by Grammy Award–winning engineer Brandon Bell, who relied on AEA ribbon microphones, AEA preamps, and the 1029 compressor to capture each performance.

Recording more than twenty artists in just three days required a fast, efficient workflow. Bell often tracked six or more acts per day, each with different instrumentation and tonal needs, leaving little room for technical issues or second-guessing gear choices. “I need gear I can trust completely. If I start worrying about whether or not something is going to behave the way I expect, I’m no longer focused on the music. The moment you shift into problem-solving mode, the creative flow is interrupted, and that can change the entire energy of a session,” he said. Having been familiar with AEA mics, he relied on them to keep the sessions running smoothly so he could remain focused on the creative decisions that mattered.

For the AmericanaFest sessions, Bell paired AEA ribbon microphones with the AEA TRP3 preamp and the 1029 compressor as his primary vocal chain. The TRP3 provided the clean gain he needed for a transparent front end, allowing the microphones to define the tone. He emphasized the importance of low-noise equipment in fast-paced or remote recording environments. “The TRP3 is the quietest thing I have. I want clean gain so the microphone sets the tone, and I prefer not to use extra gear to fix noise or color. For me, less is more, and the TRP3 lets me work that way,” Bell said.

Bell also relied on a range of AEA ribbon microphones throughout the sessions, choosing models based on the artist, arrangement, and room dynamics. “The R84, being a favorite of mine, is the perfect balance of big ribbon sound with great tone. The vocals on these AEA ribbon mics just sounded right. I’d solo them and get lost in how smooth and pure they sounded,” he said.

In many of his recording sessions, Bell pairs AEA ribbons with condensers on acoustic instruments or guitar-vocal setups, offering body and smoothness while controlling sharp transients. For AmericanaFest, he relied entirely on AEA ribbons, using the figure-eight rejection of models like the KU5 and KU4 to manage spill in the live-in-the-room environment.

The recordings used AEA gear from tracking through the final mix. During mixing, Bell ran the tracks back through the RPQ503 to access its EQ section and applied the 1029 compressor across the mix bus. “The EQ on the RPQ503 is unique. It doesn’t feel like anything else,” Bell said. “You can be more aggressive with it than you would with other EQs. You can push it, yet it still sounds pure.”

To watch the first AmericanaFest session videos, visit AEA’s YouTube channel. New sessions will be released weekly on Tuesdays and Fridays through March.

To learn more about AEA Ribbon Mics, visit aearibbonmics.com.

About AEA Ribbon Mics
Founded in 1964, AEA began as a record label and mobile recording studio before expanding into microphone repairs and full-scale manufacturing. In 1998, AEA introduced the R44C — an evolution of the iconic RCA 44BX — and has since developed a full range of microphones and preamps inspired by classic designs and built to modern standards. With a commitment to ultra-low noise circuitry, musical sound, and expert craftsmanship, AEA continues to push ribbon technology forward while honoring its legacy. All AEA products are proudly handcrafted in Pasadena, California.

Learn more at aearibbonmics.com