AEA R44C Ribbon Microphone, from AEA

Hand-crafted, museum quality 44 Reproduction

*Operating Principle: Velocity microphone

*Frequency Response: Below 30 Hz to above 20 kHz

*Maximum SPL: 140 + dB SPL above 200Hz for 1% third harmonic

*Output Sensitivity: 2.25 mV / Pa into unloaded circuit

*Output Impedance: 270 ohms broadband

*Recommended Load: 1.2 K ohm or greater

*Powering: Not required or recommended

*Polarity: Pin 2 high for positive pressure on the front of the microphone

*Connector: XLR-3M wired to a 2 meter captive cable

*Polar Pattern: Native bi-directional pattern

*Horizontal: Level changes with angle, frequency response is consistent, -90 dB null at 90 / 270 degrees

* Vertical: Level changes with angle, reduced HF response above and below 0 / 180 degree axis, null at 90 / 270 degrees

*Transducer element: * Ribbon Thickness: 1.8 microns ( .0000018 meter ) of pure aluminum

* Ribbon Width: 4.7 mm

* Ribbon Length: 59.7 mm

*Accessories: *Included: Custom storage / shipping case, stand adapter, manual and attached two-meter microphone cable

*Limited Warranty: Three years parts and labor, shipping not included

- An accurate reproduction of the original RCA Ribbon Mic
- Uses the same ribbon material as the original
- Built to the highest studio standards possible
- A single diaphragm Figure 8 ribbon microphone
- 90dB down broadband at 90 degrees
- Custom AEA Transformer
- High SPL capability, max level is 140dB plus above 200Hz
- Low Self Noise
- Consistent polar response
- Operable in high humidity environments
- Sounds equal to or better than the original RCA 44

RCA 44 ribbon microphones have remained an essential part of studiolife well after RCA stopped manufacturing them in 1955. The sound and response of the 44 B/BX were unlike anything else available, and was cherished for its smoothness, forgiving nature and unique tonal balance. As collectors began to buy up the supply of RCA 44's through the 90's, the availability of this wonderful ribbon mic to the studio was greatly endangered. Wes Dooley, a specialist in ribbon mics of all kinds, recently began a project to restore availability of the RCA 44 to its rightful position in the studio. After tracking down the folks who built and designed the original RCA 44, Wes? company, Audio Engineering Associates, acquired the ribbon material, made the tooling and custom machined the parts necessary to build the original. RCA 44 B/BX design as it was in the 1930s. After years of painstaking work, AEA has again begun production of the most important ribbon mic of all time: the AEA R44C.