Audio Engineering Associates
AEA KU4
Passive ribbon, supercardioid (unidirectional), after the RCA KU-3A
Power None (phantom not required or recommended). Switch phantom power off before you plug it in: a faulty cable can damage the ribbon. Low output: it needs a lot of preamp gain.
- Type
- Ribbon
- Pattern
- Supercardioid
- Sensitivity
- −52 dBV/Pa
- Among 28 ribbons: more output than 41%
- Among 311 mics: more output than 26%
- Max SPL
- 140 dB SPL
- Among 29 ribbons: takes louder sound than 54%
- Among 343 mics: takes louder sound than 56%
- Rated range
- 30 – 20k Hz
- Released
- 2010
vs 24 side-address ribbons
More output than 35% of 24 side-address ribbons.
Each stripe is one side-address ribbon with a published sensitivity, and each bar counts them; further right means more output. This mic is in blue.
vs 28 side-address ribbons
Takes louder sound than 52% of 28 side-address ribbons.
Each stripe is one side-address ribbon with a published max SPL, and each bar counts them; further right means it takes louder sound. This mic is in blue.
Instruments sources recommend it for most
1 of 2; all under Recommended for.
Proximity effect: the bass it gains up close
From the manual, p. 11.
"Data below 200 Hz omitted due to measuring room restrictions"; "Normalized to 0 dB at 1kHz. 1/3 octave smoothing"; 0 dB = 2.5 mV/Pa (-52 dBV). A gated CLIO measurement ("Start 2.70ms Stop 9.49ms"); distance not stated.
Dashed: outside the rated range, or simulated (other angles and distances). Hover or tap the graphs for values.
Polar pattern
From the spec sheet (Recording Hacks copy), p. 2.
"AEA KU4 Polar Response"; rings every 3 dB, labelled 0 to -30 dB. Measuring conditions not stated.
In practice
All specs
| From the manual | ||
|---|---|---|
| Capsule | pure aluminium corrugated ribbon, 1.8 µm thick, 2.1 mm wide, 28.6 mm long; neodymium magnets, custom AEA transformerMagnets and transformer from the one-sheet, p. 1; the ribbon is "Authentic New Old Stock RCA ribbon material" there. | p. 10 |
| Sensitivity | −52 dBV/Pa (2.5 mV/Pa)1 kHz, into an unloaded circuit; also −51.1 dBV/Pa, 2.8 mV/Pa, 2010 one-sheet (converted). "-52dBV (2.5 mV/Pa) (at 1 kHz into unloaded circuit)". The 2010 one-sheet says "2.8 mV/Pa into unloaded circuit". | |
| Max SPL | 140 dB SPLabove 200 Hz, 1% third harmonic. "140+ dB SPL above 200 Hz for 1% third harmonic"; the one-sheet agrees. | |
| Output impedance | 300 ohmnominal | |
| Rated load impedance | 1500 ohmor greater; also 1200 ohm, 2010 one-sheet. The one-sheet says "1.2 KΩ or greater". | |
| Rated frequency range | 30 Hz to 20 kHz"<30 Hz to >20 kHz". Manual p. 4: response "out to 20 kHz (-7 dB)". The one-sheet: "Below 30 Hz to above 20 kHz", and "out to 40 kHz" on p. 1. | |
| Powering | none (phantom not required or recommended)Manual p. 5: phantom is little danger with a correct cable, but a miswired one can stretch or break the ribbon. | |
| Connector | XLR-3M on a 1.5 m captive cable (pin 2 high for positive pressure on the front) | |
| Weight | 2150 gwith its captive cable. "4.7 lb (2.15 kg)"; the one-sheet says "weight with cable". | |
| Dimensions | 320 × 117 × 94 mm"Height: 12.6 in (32.00 cm), Width: 4.6 in (11.68 cm), Depth: 3.7 in (9.40 cm)". The one-sheet: 12.65" (32.4 cm), 4.62" (11.7 cm), 3.75" (9.5 cm). | |
| Supplied accessories | storage case; stand adapter; user manualThe one-sheet: "Custom storage/shipping case, stand adapter, manual". | |
| Relative output at 180° | -12 dB | |
| Angle of maximum rejection | 135° (± 135° from the front axis) | |
| Shipping weight | 7.0 lb (3.20 kg) | |
| Shock mount | Integrated cushion mount in a yoke; rotate the mic in the yoke rather than on the stand | p. 7 |
| Proximity effect | Reduced; designed for close placement | p. 4 |
| Warranty | One year parts and labour; three years when the product is registered | |
| From the spec sheet (Recording Hacks copy) | ||
| Finish | Anodised and nickel-plated"High-quality anodized & nickel-plated finish". | p. 1 |
| Ribbon assembly | Field-tech replaceable pole piece and ribbon assembly | |
| Options | M (hand tuning to stereo match a pair) | p. 2 |
| Optional accessories | B gray twill zippered bag; AD-1 5/8"-27 F to 1/2-NPS M stand adapter; 44VC and 44VC-2 vertical carry cases | |
| From the Recording Hacks page | ||
| Released | 2010Press release dated October 20, 2010: "AEA will unveil the KU4 ... at the San Francisco AES show". | p. 1 |
Documents
- AEA KU4 Classic Supercardioid Ribbon Mic, Owner's ManualV5
- KU4 Unidirectional Ribbontechnical one-sheet
- AEA KU4 Classic Supercardioid Ribbon Mic, Specifications
- Audio Engineering Associates Launches the KU4 Unidirectional Ribbonpress release
Copies kept by Mic Archive (manufacturers move and drop their documents). Each is © Audio Engineering Associates, unchanged, with its original address.
Recommended for
By recording guides, engineers and mic makers, for this mic or an earlier version of it.