Audio Engineering Associates
AEA R44
Passive ribbon, figure-8; a replica of the RCA 44-B/BX (R44C, R44CE, high-output R44CX/CXE)
Approximate Some readings for this mic are uncertain; see the graphs.
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
- Figure-8
- Sensitivity
- −53 dBV/Pa
- Among 28 ribbons: more output than 37%
- Among 311 mics: more output than 22%
- Max SPL
- 165 dB SPL
- Among 29 ribbons: takes louder sound than 86%
- Among 343 mics: takes louder sound than 99%
- Rated range
- 20 – 20k Hz
vs 24 side-address ribbons
More output than 30% 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 85% 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
Proximity effect: the bass it gains up close
From the spec sheet (Recording Hacks copy), p. 2.
"AEA R44C Frequency Response 0dB ref = 2.5 mV/Pa", unsmoothed. "Displayed range from 100 Hz up due to measurement room size limitations." The 2006 quickstart manual prints the same graph as "On-Axis Frequency Response (1 meter)".
Dashed: outside the rated range, or simulated (other angles and distances). Hover or tap the graphs for values.
Polar pattern
From the manual, p. 13. Approximate
"Directivity", full circle, 0° up, rings every 3 dB to -30 dB. Measuring conditions not stated.
Approximate: reading error up to about 1 dB.
In practice
All specs
| From the manual | ||
|---|---|---|
| Capsule | corrugated pure aluminium ribbon, 1.8 µm thick, 4.7 mm wide, 59.7 mm long, tuned to 16.5 Hz; neodymium magnets; 1:28 transformerTuning, magnets and transformer ratio from p. 4. | p. 12 |
| Sensitivity | −53 dBV/Pa (2.25 mV/Pa)R44C/CE, into a loaded circuit; also −47 dBV/Pa, R44CX/CXE, 4.47 mV/Pa; also −53 dBV/Pa, R44C/CE, "into unloaded circuit" (2018 sheet). Printed "2.25 mV/Pa (-53 dBV) into loaded circuit"; the 2018 sheet says "into unloaded circuit". The response graph (p. 13) puts 0 dB at "2.5 mV/Pa (-52 dBV) for R44C/CE". | |
| Max SPL | 165 dB SPL1% third harmonic, above 1 kHz; also 140 dB SPL, above 200 Hz, 1% third harmonic (2007 one-sheet). Printed "165+ dB SPL"; the same in the 2018 sheet. The 2007 one-sheet says "140 + dB SPL above 200Hz for 1% third harmonic". | |
| Output impedance | 270 ohmbroadband | |
| Rated frequency range | 20 Hz to 20 kHzbelow 20 Hz to above 20 kHz. Printed "<20 Hz to >20 kHz"; the 2007 one-sheet says "Below 30 Hz to above 20 kHz". | |
| Powering | none (phantom not required or recommended) | |
| Connector | XLR-3 male on a 3 m (10 ft) captive cableThe 2007 one-sheet says a 2 m cable; the 2018 sheet prints "10”" for 10 ft. | |
| Weight | 2900 gwith cable. Printed "6.5 lb (2.9 kg)". The 2018 sheet says "7 lb 9 oz (3.43 kg)" with cable; manual p. 7 says "over 8 pounds"; the 2006 quickstart "about 8 ½ pounds (3.8 kg)". | |
| Dimensions | 315 × 118.1 × 83 mmHeight x width x depth: "12.4 in (31.5 cm)", "4.65 in (11.81 cm)", "3.25 in (8.3 cm)". The 2018 sheet gives 31.1 x 11.7 x 8.3 cm. | |
| 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 | |
| Variants | R44C (museum replica), R44CE (cost-effective exterior, same inside), R44CX and R44CXE (X-Motor: two more magnets, about 6 dB more output, red logo) | p. 10 |
| Ribbon tuning | 16.5 Hz | p. 4 |
| Transformer | 1:28 | |
| Protection | Diamond-shaped grille with acoustical fabric, plus perforated metal and fabric blast screens on each side of the ribbon | p. 6 |
| Warranty | One year; three years when registered within 90 days | p. 4 |
| From the spec sheet | ||
| Rated load impedance | 1200 ohmor greater. "1.2 KΩ or greater". The 2024 manual (p. 12) prints "1.2 Ω or greater", a misprint. | p. 2 |
| Supplied accessories | vertical case; user manual"Vertical case, user manual, captive 10” (3 meter) output cable with XLR-3M connector." | |
| From the quick guide (Recording Hacks copy) | ||
| Storage | Store vertically; the 2-inch ribbon can sag if stored horizontally | p. 3 |
| From the spec sheet (Recording Hacks copy) | ||
| Options2007 | X (6 dB more output), M (stereo-matched pair), G (chrome grille for the R44CNE), HP (switchable high-pass filter), U (custom graphics), F (custom flag) | p. 2 |
Documents
- AEA R44 Owner's Manual2024 V1
- AEA R44 Series Specifications
- R44 Series Studio Ribbon Microphonestechnical one-sheet 2.1
- AEA R44C/CX Quickstart Manual
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.