Ribbon Microphone

The AEA KU4 celebrates the legendary RCA unidirectional KU3A, a high sensitivity microphone designed for the Hollywood movie studios.   Also known as a M-10001 for its manufacturing number, it was RCA’s most expensive ribbon microphone.  Fewer than 600 were ever manufactured. 
 
What made the KU3A special?  It combined the smooth ribbon sound of a 44 with a unidirectional pattern, a wide sweet spot and less proximity bass boost.  It expanded an engineer’s range of placement choices and became a standard at film studios around the world. 
 
Although condenser mics became the new standard by the end of the 1960s, ribbon mics are still appreciated today by experienced music recording engineers. However the KU3A is a rare microphone, a collector’s item, and few studios or rental houses own them.  Opportunities to work with a good KU3A are limited. 
 
We are proud to expand your opportunities with the AEA KU4 featuring an RCA ribbon, interchangeable KU3A parts and consistent performance. 
 
Product Features/Specifications: 
Contemporary realization of the RCA KU3A classic 
Supercardioid pattern for excellent rear rejection 
Reduced proximity effect 
Smooth, high-bandwidth frequency response 
Authentic New Old Stock RCA ribbon material 
High-quality anodized & nickel-plated finish 
Custom AEA transformer, neodymium magnets 
Consistent Quality 
Field-tech replaceable ribbon assembly 
Hand-crafted in Pasadena, California 
Technical Specifications:  
Link  
https://www.aearibbonmics.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/AEA-KU4-Specifications-2-3-18.pdf  
Operating Principle: Pressure gradient transducer 
Directional Pattern: Supercardiod 
Frequency Range: <20 Hz to >20 kHz 
Maximum SPL: 141+ dB SPL (1% third harmonic > 1 kHz) 
Sensitivity: 6.3 mV/Pa (-44 dBv/Pa) into unloaded circuit 
Output Impedance: 92 Ω Broadband 
Recommended Load Impedance: 1.0k Ω or greater 
Phantom Power: P48 phantom power, 7 mA 
Polarity: Pin 2 high for positive pressure at the front of the microphone. 
Polar Response: Native bidirectional, figure-of-8 pattern 
Horizontal: Up to 90 dB rejection at right angles to the front/back axis. 
Vertical: Level changes with angle of incidence, but frequency response is consistent. 
Transducer Element Material: Pure aluminum corrugated ribbon 
Thickness: 1.8 µm 
Width: 0.185 in (4.7 mm) 
Length: 2.35 in (59.7 mm) 
Microphone Dimensions 
Height: 11.6 in (29.5 cm) 
Width: 3.9 in (9.9 cm) 
Depth: 2.5 in (6.4 cm) 
Weight with cable: 3 lb (1.36 kg) 
Shipping Weight: 4 lb (1.8 kg)

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