The AEA R44CE (Matched Pair) are some of those rare mics that has remained relatively unchanged from its inception, and still sounds great some 75 years later. Wes Dooley, a specialist in ribbon mics of all kinds, has now restored the 44 type microphone to its rightful position in the studio. After tracking down the engineers who designed and built the original RCA 44, AEA acquired ribbon material, made the tooling and custom machined all the parts necessary to build the original RCA 44 B/BX design to its original specifications, just 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 R44CE.

RCA 44 ribbon microphones have remained an essential part of studio life 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.

Key features:

• 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
• High null-axis rejection
• Custom AEA Transformer
• High SPL capability, max level of 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
• 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 3 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
• 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 3-meter microphone cable

Reviews