
KU4
Ribbon Microphone
From AEA:
AEA’s KU4 is one of the most useful and unique ribbon microphones in the world. Its supercardioid polar pattern rejects bleed from other instruments and reflections in the room while retaining matchless top-end clarity. As the brightest mic in the AEA line, it retains the full spectrum sonic range that has made ribbon mics a staple in most of the world’s great recording studios.
The KU4’s minimal proximity effect and accented mid-range make it an exceptional vocal mic that captures the presence and detail of a performance. Its near-field nature also lends to the close range recording of kick drums, strings, and woodwinds, providing a welcome brightness and balance in the mix.
The KU4’s supercardioid polar pattern enables it to capture direct sound from a vocalist or instrument without room tone. This is an advantage when tracking musicians live in the same room or when used live on stage. With most figure-of-eight patterned ribbons, mic positioning can require a finesse to avoid other sources using the microphone’s nulls. The KU4 has none of these limitations.
Specs
- Type
- Pressure gradient transducer
- Pattern
- Supercardioid
- Frequency response
- <30 Hz to >20 kHz
- Sensitivity
- -52dBV (2.5 mV/Pa) (at 1 kHz into unloaded circuit)
- Output impedance
- 300 Ω nominal
- Load impedance
- 1.5 kΩ or greater
- Maximum SPL
- 140+ dB SPL above 200 Hz for 1% third harmonic
- Power
- Phantom power not required or recommended
- Polarity
- Pin 2 high for positive pressure on front of mic
- Off-axis response
- Relative output -12 dB at 180°, angle of max rejection 135°
- Ribbon
- Pure aluminum corrugated ribbon, thickness 1.8 µm, width 0.082 in (2.1 mm), length 1.25 in (28.6 mm)
- Connector
- XLR-3M wired to a 1.5m captive cable
- Dimensions
- Height 12.6 in (32.00 cm), width 4.6 in (11.68 cm), depth 3.7 in (9.40 cm)
- Weight
- 4.7 lb (2.15 kg)
- Shipping weight
- 7.0 lb (3.20 kg)
- Included
- Storage case, stand adapter, user manual
Source: AEA KU4 owner's manual (PDF, V5), Specifications page