AEA Stereo Bars & Arrays SMP-1M — a 1-meter (100 cm) anodised aluminium stereo bar with three SMP-S sliders and an AEA-CP coupler, designed for precise and repeatable microphone positioning across the full range of stereo techniques — from coincident XY and Blumlein through ORTF to wide spaced pair at full one-metre spacing.
The SMP-1M is the middle variant in the AEA SMP bar system — wider than the SMP-17 (43 cm), narrower than the SMP-1.25M (125 cm). A one-metre bar with SMP-S sliders and a centimetre-engraved scale in 2.5 cm increments covers the complete practical range of stereo techniques used in studio and orchestral recording: from tight coincident XY pairs at the centre of the bar to wide A-B configurations with 80–100 cm spacing. Sliders travel freely and lock with a thumb screw at any point — the scale zeroed at centre allows immediate symmetric spacing readout without a tape measure.
Full Stereo Technique Range on One Bar
The one-metre length covers not only standard studio configurations but also distant orchestral miking positions and instrumental ensemble coverage requiring wide horizontal spread. Three SMP-S sliders in the kit enable a centre-microphone layout — classic for A-B with outrigger or for a minimal Decca Tree on a single bar. The 17 cm ORTF spacing is marked specifically on the bar scale, removing the need to measure. The SMP-1M also functions as the standard rear arm bar for Decca Tree Regular assemblies, where two SMP-1M bars form the 2-metre rear span of the T configuration.
Modularity and System Expansion
The SMP-1M is fully compatible with every element of the AEA SMP system: SMP-S sliders, the AEA-CP coupler, Decca Tree brackets, and the SW dead-hang swivel adapter. Engineers starting with the SMP-1M can add further bars or sliders without replacing the existing assembly. The hard-anodised aluminium with engraved scale allows exact session geometry to be reproduced from a numeric notation — critical on multi-day orchestral sessions and staged album recordings where tonal consistency between days is a production requirement.
KEY FEATURES
- 1-meter (100 cm) length — full range from coincident XY/Blumlein to A-B and spaced pair at up to 1 m spacing.
- 3 × SMP-S slider — continuous position adjustment, individual azimuth angle setting (0°, ±30°, ±45°, ±55°), thumb-screw lock.
- AEA-CP coupler — 5/8" mic stand mount, zero play in the connection.
- Engraved scale in 2.5 cm increments — session-to-session geometry repeatability; dedicated ORTF spacing mark (17 cm).
- Modular system compatibility — standard rear arm for Decca Tree Regular and Super; compatible with all AEA SMP accessories.
TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS
- Bar length: 1 m (100 cm)
- Bar width: 1" (approx. 2.5 cm), hard-anodised aluminium
- Sliders included: 3 × SMP-S (with individual azimuth adjustment)
- Coupler: 1 × AEA-CP
- Mount thread: 5/8" standard microphone stand
- Engraved scale: 2.5 cm increments, zeroed at centre; ORTF spacing mark (17 cm)
- Slider angle markings: 0°, ±30°, ±45°, ±55° (included angles: 60°, 90°, 110°)
- Supported stereo techniques: XY, ORTF, Blumlein, A-B / spaced pair, Mid-Side
- Country of manufacture: USA (Pasadena, CA)
