The KU5A, AEA’s latest addition their range of modern ribbon mics is certainly an unusual beast. On most other sources it delivers an instant '50s vibe which is more of a special effect than something you'd want to use all the time. This high-pass filter was designed specifically for singers who use the KU5A on the road and in the studio, and allows its user to position the mic right up against the source without experiencing overwhelming proximity effect. sales@paudio.com. Check out this great performance at Pickup Music captured by AEA ribbon mics: KU5A on the vocal and N22's on the guitar amps. The KU5A operates with standard 48-volt phantom power. We put 4 of our most commonly used ribbon microphones head to head on recording electric guitar in this shootout. The KU5A’s supercardioid polar pattern captures pure, direct sound while rejecting room tone from behind the mic. On neither front does it score highly against today's mics, but what the BK5 does have is a very characteristic mid-forward sound. Beyer used to offer a range of ribbon mics for stage vocal use, but the last of these now seems to have been discontinued, as has the Silvia Classics SC5C/Telefunken RM-5C. ©2021 AEA Ribbon Mics & Preamps, All Rights Reserved. The supercardioid KU5A breaks new ground in ribbon technology with its acutely focused directionality that rejects bleed from other instruments, room reflections, and loud ambience in the studio and on stage. AEA KU5A Supercardioid Active Ribbon Microphone. aea n22 The N22 is a modern near-field, active ribbon mic with a rugged lightweight design, extended top-end clarity & reduced proximity effect. And to risk stating the obvious, it's also fixed in length, and I often found myself needing to extend it. The views expressed are those of the contributors and not necessarily those of the publishers. Great care has been taken to ensure accuracy in the preparation of this article but neither Sound On Sound Limited nor the publishers can be held responsible for its contents. What do you mean by 'subsonic components'? You can now dig in but still get the characteristic ribbon sound.”. The bi-directionality of most Ribbon microphones can sometimes be more of a burden than a blessing when used in smaller-unattractive sounding rooms. This has been followed by original AEA designs such as the R84 and N22, and also by an equally meticulous recreation of the KU3A. The KU5A combines classic 'ribbon mic' tone with a supercardioid pickup pattern and stage-ready robustness — but it ain't cheap. Dismissed by most as obsolete technology only a couple of decades ago, the humble ribbon microphone has seen a miraculous resurgence in popularity in recent years. You may login with either your assigned username or your e-mail address. No-one knows more about RCA microphones than Wes Dooley, the founder of AEA. Super versatile. The KU Series: KU4 vs KU5A The KU Series of ribbon microphones, AEA’s collection of supercardioid ribbons, are some of the most flexible microphones in the entire line. But you can't sing into a specification, and what matters is not how a mic performs in the test chamber but how it fares in front of musicians. AEA have a well-earned reputation for building seriously good ribbon mics, most of which are priced out of reach of the typical project studio operator. Unlike the BK5, the KU5A is an active microphone, requiring 48V phantom power and delivering a sensitivity of 7mV/Pa. It is a well-designed and well-constructed piece of equipment that will last years to come. This provides 12dB clean voltage gain but is not capable of driving the output directly, hence the need for an active unity-gain buffer amplifier. Distant City Studios - A Drum Room With A Difference, Mastering Essentials Part 6 - Final Delivery: Requirements & Specs, Re: The new generation of YouTuber artists, Re: Melodyne v. Cubase 11 VariAudio Editor. AEA KU5A -High performance Phantom-Powered Ribbon $ 1,199.00 + AEA KU5A -High performance Phantom-Powered Ribbon. Most traditional ribbons were designed for capturing sources from a distance. The KU5A has a switchable high-pass filter, which attenuates frequencies below 283Hz by 6dB/octave.AEA describe the KU5A as a supercardioid mic, but the detailed polar pattern in the specification suggests some variability with frequency, with the mic appearing perfectly cardioid at 2kHz and narrowing to supercardioid below this. Ribbon mics have undergone a massive revival in recent years, but in some quarters they are still stereotyped as specialist guitar‑amp or drum mics. (Click "Show More" for the HQ audio link.) AEA KU5A -High performance Phantom-Powered Ribbon $ 1,199.00 + AEA KU5A -High performance Phantom-Powered Ribbon. The switch activates the KU5A’s near-field mode for optimal close-range performance. New and second-hand at Sound Devices in the heart of western Sydney. Parsons Audio. Said to have been designed, among other things, for recording gunshots for movie soundtracks, the BK5 was notable both for its somewhat cardioid pickup pattern and its ruggedness. Ribbons were used for Foley capture, stage vocals, radio DJ miking, and there were even ribbon lavalier mics for TV interviews. Read more. Perhaps it's the form factor, or possibly the examples shown on AEA's website, but I came to view it as an excellent candidate for roles that the Shure SM7B usually fills. AEA Ribbon Mics and Preamps January 11 at 9:35 AM Check out this great performance at Pickup Music captured by AEA rib ... bon mics: KU5A on the vocal and N22's on the guitar amps. AEA KU5A. SKU: N22 Categories: Microphones, Ribbon Microphones $ 999.00. The supercardioid AEA KU5A breaks new ground in ribbon technology with its acutely focused directionality that rejects bleed from other instruments, room reflections, and loud ambience in the studio and on stage. DAW: ProTools HDX Ultimate @ 96k/24bit. The most famous of RCA's unidirectional ribbon mics are probably the iconic 77, with its mechanically switchable patterns, and the rare KU3A 'skunk mic', one of the best ribbon mics ever made. Watch the KU5A in action on vocals with Reeve Carney in this Scary Pockets session. I bought the AEA KU5A specifically with vocal duty in mind and it's proving to be a truly wonderful microphone for a singer-songwriter home studio like mine. It's quickly become my favorite vocal mic of all time. ... AEA N22-NUVO-STEREO-KIT N22 Nuvo Stereo Kit Stereo Mic Kit with Template Bar, Windscreens and Carrying Case. That being said, however well-made this thing is, it’s a good idea to b… Air bursts produced from vocalists will not damage the KU5A ribbon, as it is the most protected of any mic in the AEA lineup. can deliver the audio spectrum in detail, for both live sound and studio recording.. The KU5A’s end-address directionality and tight supercardioid pattern allow for effortless positioning on snare, toms, and other instruments that may be difficult to access. The KU5A has a switchable high-pass filter, which attenuates frequencies below 283Hz by 6dB/octave. At 20cm in length and 8cm in diameter, it's not a small mic, and it weighs in at a substantial 1.2kg, but the built-in yoke holds it securely over a reasonably wide angle of adjustment. INPUT LIST: Vocals: AEA KU5A. However, there's another, less well–known RCA design that now attracts a cult following. With little usable frequency response above 10kHz or so, there's no getting away from the fact that the KU5A is a dark microphone by modern standards; nor does it display the sort of flat frequency response and uniform polar pattern you'd expect if you spent the same money on a stage capacitor mic. Proudly independent, we build all our products by hand in Pasadena, CA, U.S.A. First off, it’s an end-adress design that doesn’t require an external pop-shield — vocalists can sing directly into the grille. The company now manufactures numerous ribbon microphones at multiple price points, from the R92 (MSRP $900) to the “museum quality” RCA … Dismissed by most as obsolete technology only a couple of decades ago, the humble ribbon microphone has seen a miraculous resurgence in popularity in recent years. This feature prevents excessive monitor and audience bleed when tracking musicians live in one room or on stage. The KU5A accomplishes this via a super intense dual path acoustic labyrinth behind the ribbon and a few of what the designer calls "leaks" on the sides. The AEA N22 Ribbon Microphone is a modern near-field and active ribbon mic with a rugged lightweight design, extended top-end clarity, and reduced proximity effect making it perfect for close miking of instruments. I've recently watched a Julian Lage video and I am considering one or two AEA N22 with an RCA 44 replica as well. Limited high-frequency response won't suit all applications. Testing the KU5a ribbon microphone Soprano Sax Alto Sax Tenor Sax Saxello Bass Clarinet Bb Clarinet Flute. Get Directions High volume sources will not damage the KU5A’s interior components, so the mic can be positioned just inches from a guitar or bass amp. The N22 model is the first in their new Nuvo series, and it goes a long way towards addressing that issue by hitting a much lower price point while not compromising on quality. What sets the AEA KU5A apart from the RCA BK-5A (or any other ribbon for that matter) is its polar pattern. All contents copyright © SOS Publications Group and/or its licensors, 1985-2021. It may be pricey, but it's also a seriously useful mic. Hard working... More Info. The boosted output of the KU5A is beneficial when recording quiet sources like vocals and soft acoustic guitars, and the active circuitry prevents noise interference. AEA KU5A Ribbon Microphone The AEA KU5A Ribbon Microphone breaks new ground in ribbon technology with its acutely focused directionality that rejects bleed from other instruments, room reflections, and loud ambience in the studio and on stage. AEA say this is because the ribbon is the most protected of any in their line-up. AEA Ribbon Mics & Preamps Handcrafted in Pasadena,CA at Sound Devices Parramatta, Sydney. The N22 utilizes Big RibbonTM technology that made AEA famous in studios around the world. Let us know in the comments below! Forensic audio expert Wes Dooley began making microphones in 1998, beginning with a copy of the original RCA 44 ribbon microphone. Its integrated windscreen protection prevents interference at windy venues and its active electronics allow for flexibility with virtually any mixing board or audio interface. The KU5A is a rather unique design in the world of Ribbon microphones, as not many non-bipolar Ribbons exist, and even less Super-Cardioid. The AEA N22 Phantom Powered Ribbon Microphone was designed with the singer-songwriter musician in mind. First off, it’s an end-adress design that doesn’t require an external pop-shield — vocalists can sing directly into the grille. AEA KU5A. £705.00 ex VAT £846.00 inc VAT. The on-axis frequency chart is also cheerfully uneven, with a peak at 2kHz, a dip around 4.5kHz and a fairly steep roll-off from about 9kHz upwards. As you'd expect given AEA's pedigree and the cost of the mics, build quality is first-rate, and there's something pleasingly businesslike about the KU5A's chunky metal housing. Guitar: AEA N22. If you sing and play simultaneously you'll find the KU5A works well on your singing paired with an N22 on your acoustic guitar. We have a complete range of the latest music recording equipment and accessories. However, the KU5A is meant less as a faithful recreation of the BK5, and more as a new design which takes that mic as its inspiration. AEA Ribbon Mics and Preamps manufactures quality ribbon microphones and preamps that reflect your sound the way you hear it. Having a supercardioid ribbon like this opens a lot of new possibilities. Ribbon microphones, however, are especially fragile. I'm on the fence about the 3m-long captive cable: it makes the mic super-quick to set up, but annoying to pack away, and in the long run, it presents another potential failure point. Beef and snap. Wes Dooley & Audio Engineering Associates, WIN Prism Sound TITAN audio interface & Waveform Extreme software bundle, Abbey Road Studios Spatial Audio Forum | Podcast, Recording Drum Kits With Only Two Mics | Audio Examples. AEA KU5A Supercardioid Ribbon Microphone The Ribbon For Any Room. 781.431.8708 phone 781.431.8783 fax. AEA continue their quest to modernise the ribbon mic, with this worthy addition to their new Nuvo range. Near-Field NUVO Series Phantom-Powered Ribbon. At high frequencies the pattern seems looser and, being a ribbon transducer, somewhat asymmetric (presumably the two halves of the plot represent measurements taken at a 90-degree mutual angle, though this isn't explicitly stated). If you're satisfied with what you get from a high-quality moving-coil design such as the SM7 or RE20 on vocals, guitar amps and so on, it might be hard to contemplate shelling out three or four times as much to add a KU5A to the locker. Sounded real good and natural. AEA’s own recording series featuring our favorite artists. AEA KU5A Supercardioid Ribbon Microphone The Ribbon For Any Room. Order AEA ribbon mics conveniently from our online store - msonic Baltic OÜ is the official reseller of AEA Ribbon Mics & Preamps. Delivers the warm tone often associated with high-class ribbons, in a heavy-duty supercardioid mic that can be worked up close. AEA provides the KU5A Windscreen, a custom-designed foam windscreen that slips over the KU5A microphone, allowing you to use the mic up close on vocals without a pop-filter and outdoors for live sound reinforcement. My mind is battling out some ideas: one AEA R88 or a bunch of mics for the same price. If one were to do that with a ribbon, you’d be in the hole (£875). The AEA KU5A is the ideal ribbon microphone for live recordings or performance, bringing the typical ribbon character associated with AEA microphones in a rugged body. Because the tail of the supercardioid pattern extends right down to 200Hz and below, some care is needed to avoid feedback in a live context, but the KU5A achieves the rare trick of being articulate without being bright. Super durable.Never before has a ribbon mic delivered as much clarity and breadth of sound in a package so fit for both studio and live settings as the supercardioid KU5A. The AEA KU5A is the ideal ribbon microphone for live recordings or performance, bringing the typical ribbon character associated with AEA microphones in a rugged body. I liked it a lot on tenor sax, and it made an interesting snare mic that delivered a really meaty 'thunk'. Importantly, though, it's not an out-and-out 'character mic' in the way that the BK5 is. Q. The KU5A is, to be blunt, a better microphone in almost every respect, and a much smoother-sounding one. Also considering one 441, another dpa, or one new Austrian Audio mic. This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Converter: Lynx Aurora 32. Which mic was your favorite? AEA N22 $ 999.00 + AEA N22. AEA N22 $ 999.00 + AEA N22. Traditional figure-of-8 ribbons, which distinctly incorporate both direct sound and room sound, rely on sharp nulls to reject unwanted bleed. Touring bands rely on the durability and low-profile of the KU5A for sound reinforcement at live shows. TRP,A840,R44CE,R88,Nuvo,N8,RPQ2,R84,KU4,R44C,R92, SKU: N22 Categories: Microphones, Ribbon Microphones $ 999.00. AEA N22 NUVO Phantom Powered Ribbon Mic Matched Pair. AEA say this is because the ribbon is the most protected of any in their line-up. Monday through Friday 10am to 6pm. It's not designed to share the BK5's unique tonality, but rather, to sound good in the same sorts of roles for which the BK5 was intended. 192 Worcester Street Wellesley, MA 02481. It has the most rejection of any ribbon ever. On guitar amps, its 2kHz bump is often exactly what's needed, while its 4.5kHz dip tames the annoying unmusical hash that tends to accompany a good distorted tone. The AEA KU5A is an end-address supercardioid active ribbon microphone breaks new ground in ribbon technology to reject bleed, room reflections and loud ambience.. It handled all of them effortlessly with the perfect amount of clarity and enjoyable qualities. Super cardioid. That, of course, is your call, but what I can be pretty sure of is that if you do get a KU5A, it won't spend much time sitting idle. The latest mic to emerge from AEA's Pasadena HQ is a unidirectional ribbon that is designed to be robust, has the number 5 in its name and is housed in a large cylindrical metal body with radio DJ-style yoke suspension. The N22 model is the first in their new Nuvo series, and it goes a long way towards addressing that issue by hitting a much lower price point while not compromising on quality. It's pretty obvious from the specs that the KU5A isn't intended as the last word in uncoloured sound capture: this is a mic that's designed to have its fair share of character. Mics such as the Western Electric/Altec 'birdcage' and STC 4033 tackled this challenge by combining a figure-8 ribbon element with an omnidirectional moving-coil capsule, while RCA's chief designer Harry F Olson did so using acoustic means. There's no pad, but a button on the end of the mic engages a 6dB/octave high-pass filter turning over at 283Hz, for taming proximity effect when used up close. The AEA KU5A breaks new ground in ribbon microphone technology with its supercardioid polar pattern that rejects off-axis sound from room reflections, other instruments, and loud stage ambience in live situations. Ask a rock singer to scream directly into it from an inch or so away, and it'll shrug its shoulders and say 'Yeah, is that all you got?' The N22 is specifically designed for singer-songwriters, musicians, and studios. AEA continue their quest to modernise the ribbon mic, with this worthy addition to their new Nuvo range. Out of these cookies, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. The active KU5A comes complete with a custom transformer and JFET electronics. What sets the AEA KU5A apart from the RCA BK-5A (or any other ribbon for that matter) is its polar pattern. The price is hardly surprising for a boutique product handmade to very high standards in California, but the fact remains that for all the KU5A's distinctive qualities, its intended roles are already filled very well by more affordable mics. The KU5A is also, as far as I'm aware, the only mic of its kind on the market at present. KU5A Windscreen MSRP $49.95 usd. The KU5A is an exciting and innovative microphone that … Although the ribbon is well protected, AEA caution against using it inside kick drums, so I didn't try that. This allows for consistent frequency response and greater flexibility with different preamps, including those within audio interfaces. The KU5A accomplishes this via a super intense dual path acoustic labyrinth behind the ribbon and a few of what the designer calls "leaks" on the sides. Nowadays, ribbon mics are often perceived as specialist tools for miking things like guitar amps, drum kits and brass instruments, but in their heyday, they served all sorts of applications. The AEA NUVO Series N22 and N8 Ribbon Mics look very similar on the surface, but their tone and functionality provide a wide spectrum of distinct and different characteristics and applications.. Inspired by RCA's BK5, AEA's latest mic combines classic ribbon tone with a supercardioid polar pattern. The active KU5A comes complete with a custom transformer and JFET electronics. We were sent a pair of KU5As for review, housed in smart, lightweight and sensibly sized hard cases. It has the most rejection of any ribbon ever. It is perfect for close miking instruments. With its massive 3kHz peak, rolled-off highs and non-existent low bass, the BK5 can be a great mic for guitar amps, partly because their bandwidth is restricted in a fairly similar fashion. AEA have a well-earned reputation for building seriously good ribbon mics, most of which are priced out of reach of the typical project studio operator. KU5A - N22 - RPQ500. AEA Ribbon Mics and Preamps January 11 at 9:35 AM Check out this great performance at Pickup Music captured by AEA rib ... bon mics: KU5A on the vocal and N22's on the guitar amps. The contenders include: The Shure KSM313, the Royer R-121, the Coles 4038, and the AEA R84.. They don’t hold up well to abuse, unlike our aforementioned SM57 workhorse that I have personally thrown on stage, only to pick it up again, fully functional. As with any ribbon microphone, the N22 has a bidirectional — or figure-8 — pickup pattern, such that it picks up sound at its front and back while rejecting the sides and vertically in both directions. Supercardioid polar pattern that rejects room tone and instrument bleed, Detailed, extended top end with ribbon smoothness and warmth, Supreme durability for close-range, outdoor, and live use, Active electronics and custom transformer optimized for all preamps, Front address design with built-in yoke is simple to position, Integrated high-pass filter switch reduces proximity effect at close-range. 10 February 2021 Visit AEA Ribbon Mics webpage: quality ribbon microphones and preamps that reflect your sound the way you hear it. Active design means it's not picky about preamps. Near-Field NUVO Series Phantom-Powered Ribbon. I bought the AEA KU5A specifically with vocal duty in mind and it's proving to be a truly wonderful microphone for a singer-songwriter home studio like mine. AEA’s next preamp (joining the TRP, rather than replacing it) was designed deliberately to have a wider and more versatile appeal. The KU5A has an integrated electronic high-pass filter that can be engaged with an external pushbutton switch. The supercardioid AEA KU5A breaks new ground in ribbon technology with its acutely focused directionality that rejects bleed from other instruments, room reflections, and loud ambience in the studio and on stage. Add to Cart . The subdued high-frequency response means off-axis pickup from cymbals and so on is actually quite benign, and certainly softer-sounding than it is on the SM7. From that perspective, I think AEA have judged this design very well, creating something that can be used close up and in noisy environments, yet which retains the smooth, warm sound for which ribbon mics are often appreciated. If you sing and play simultaneously you'll find the KU5A works well on your singing paired with an N22 on your acoustic guitar. The KU5A is thus optimised for use close up and on loud sources, with a maximum SPL of 135 or 141 dB depending on whether you believe the spec sheet or AEA's website. In many of these roles, the ribbon mic's native figure-8 polar pattern was more of a hindrance than a help, and manufacturers used all sorts of ingenious tricks to try to create a ribbon mic with a 'unidirectional' (cardioid) pickup. Preamps: RPQ500. This filter smoothly rolls off low-end with a 6db/octave shelf at 283 Hz. AEA KU5A. Sources within 3 inches of the KU5A will benefit from the warm tonality of its proximity effect, and the mic can handle 141+ dB SPL at 1kHz. “I dig the KU5A on snare. Over half a decade of pushing the envelope has led to the latest ribbon mic in the AEA's arsenal: the AEA KU5A Supercardioid Ribbon Microphone. (Indeed, we often assume today that ribbon mics are universally dark and smooth, but unidirectional models all tend to be brighter and more mid-rangey.). AEA KU5A. The N8 is intended to be used mainly as a far-field mic. SKU: KU5A Categories: Microphones, Ribbon Microphones Tags: KU5A, Ribbon Mic $ 1,199.00. The increased sensitivity compared with passive ribbon mics comes from the use of a custom-made, amorphous-core transformer with a 1:110 turns ratio,. At close range, the KU5A captures extended highs while retaining the smooth sonic character one expects from an AEA ribbon mic. The KU5A is a rather unique design in the world of Ribbon microphones, as not many non-bipolar Ribbons exist, and even less Super-Cardioid. At outdoor festivals and indoor theaters alike, the KU5A is perfectly equipped to bring studio sound to the live stage. The AEA sessions is a collaboration between filmmaker and recording engineer Alex Chaloff and AEA Microphones. The KU5A, AEA’s latest addition their range of modern ribbon mics is certainly an unusual beast. There's enough proximity effect to be useful on thin-sounding vocalists, but not so much that you need to put the high-pass filter on for all close-miking situations. All rights reserved. It features the same custom transformer as the A440, R84A, and NUVO ribbon mics, providing greater output, less audible noise, and stable impedance.This allows for consistent frequency response and greater flexibility with different preamps, including those within audio interfaces. Web site designed & maintained by PB Associates & SOS. After many years spent servicing the originals, he eventually learned to make every single part of the classic RCA 44 and decided to introduce a modern version of it. The KU5A is thus optimised for use close up and on loud sources, with a maximum SPL of 135 or 141 dB depending on whether you believe the spec sheet or AEA's website. The bi-directionality of most Ribbon microphones can sometimes be more of a burden than a blessing when used in smaller-unattractive sounding rooms. There's no pad, but a button on the end of the mic engages a 6dB/octave high-pass filter turning over at 283Hz, for taming proximity effect when used up close. AEA Ribbon Mics and Preamps January 11 at 9:35 AM Check out this great performance at Pickup Music captured by AEA rib ... bon mics: KU5A on the vocal and N22's on the guitar amps. The AEA KU5A is an end-address supercardioid active ribbon microphone breaks new ground in ribbon technology to reject bleed, room reflections and loud ambience.. That leaves the question of whether the KU5A's uniqueness and smooth sound justify its cost. It features the same custom transformer as the A440, R84A, and NUVO ribbon mics, providing greater output, less audible noise, and stable impedance. It's quickly become my favorite vocal mic of all time. The KU5A Windscreen is a custom-designed foam windscreen that slips over the KU5A microphone, allowing you to use the mic up close on vocals without a pop-filter and outdoors for live sound reinforcement. The minimal bleed captured by the KU5A sounds more natural as a result of its smooth top end and coheres well in a mix.