The KU5A is an end-address, phantom-powered, supercardioid ribbon microphone. It is equipped with active circuitry and a custom transformer optimized for all preamps. The reduced rear-lobe of the supercardioid pattern lends to greater rejection of ambient noise and other sound from behind. Sources within 3 inches of the KU5A will benefit from the warm tonality of its proximity effect, and it can handle 135 dB SPL at 1kHz. The KU5A's integrated electronic high-pass filter smoothly rolls off low end with a 6dB/octave at 283Hz. It's supremely durable in close range, outdoor, and live applications and can handle direct blasts of air from loud singers and other instruments that move air.
AEA KU5A Supercardioid Unidirectional Ribbon Microphone Features
- An end-address, phantom-powered, supercardioid ribbon microphone
- Equipped with active circuitry and a custom transformer optimized for all preamps
- Supercardioid pattern lends to greater rejection of ambient noise
- Responsive to the proximity effect, delivering a warm tonality within 3”
- Can handle 135 dB SPL at 1kHz
- Integrated electronic high-pass filter smoothly rolls off low end with a 6dB/octave at 283Hz
- Supremely durable in close range, outdoor, and live applications
- Circuitry grants more output, less audible noise, and a stable impedance
- Requires standard 48-volt phantom power
The KU5A is an active microphone complete with a custom transformer and JFET electronics. It features the same custom transformer used in the A440, R84A, and NUVO microphones. This circuitry grants more output, less audible noise, and a stable impedance. Stable impedance allows for a consistent frequency response and greater flexibility with different preamps, including those found in audio interfaces. The boosted output is vital when recording quiet sources like vocals and soft acoustic guitars. Additionally, the active circuitry also prevents noise, and interference on long cable runs and when operating large lighting rigs. The KU5A requires standard 48-volt phantom power. The phantom current draw for active AEA ribbon mics is 7 milliamps. IEC specifies P48 power should be able to deliver 10 milliamps per input. Some USB and battery-powered audio interfaces won’t deliver this. Please check the current values available on your unit to ensure the best performance.