R44C
Ribbon Microphone
From AEA:
The AEA R44C is an exact replica of the vintage RCA 44BX ribbon microphone, considered the most musical sounding microphone ever built. Many of the 20th century’s most iconic recordings were recorded by the R44.
Our R44 Series microphones all share the authentic sound, feel and look of the 1936-38 RCA 44BX. The R44 series microphones are all detailed, hand-crafted replicas, using parts that are made to be interchangeable with an original RCA 44. We manufacture three different versions of the R44 and an optional hotrod.
At the core, every version of the R44 sounds the same when powered with a ribbon preamp. The major differences between the versions are the exterior look and the amount of output level.
Tightly match mic sensitivity and frequency response within .5 dB available for any pair of like mics except KU4s, KU5As, R88s & R88As.
Specs
- Type
- Pressure gradient transducer
- Pattern
- Bidirectional
- Frequency response
- <20 Hz to >20 kHz
- Sensitivity (R44C/CE)
- 2.25 mV/Pa (-53 dBV) into loaded circuit
- Sensitivity (R44CX/CXE)
- 4.47 mV/Pa (-47 dBV) into loaded circuit
- Output impedance
- 270 Ω Broadband
- Recommended load impedance
- 1.2 Ω or greater
- Maximum SPL
- 165+ dB SPL (1% third harmonic > 1 kHz)
- Power
- Phantom power not required or recommended
- Polarity
- Pin 2 high for positive pressure on front of mic
- Off-axis response, horizontal
- Up to 90 dB rejection at right angles to the front and back axis
- Off-axis response, vertical
- Level changes with angle of incidence, but frequency response is consistent
- Ribbon
- Pure aluminum corrugated ribbon, thickness 1.8 µm, width 0.185 in (4.7 mm), length 2.35 in (59.7 mm)
- Connector
- XLR-3M wired to a 10' (3 m) captive cable
- Dimensions
- Height 12.4 in (31.5 cm), width 4.65 in (11.81 cm), depth 3.25 in (8.3 cm)
- Weight
- 6.5 lb (2.9 kg) with cable
Source: AEA R44 Series owner's manual (PDF, 2024 V1), Specifications page