Everyone has a favorite use and everyone finds they sound good anywhere: brass, woodwinds, percussion, strings or voice work. You can also call us toll free at (800) 222-4700, Mon-Thu 9-9, Fri 9-8, and Sat 9-7 Eastern. After tracking down the engineers who designed and built the original RCA 44, AEA acquired ribbon material, made the tooling and custom machined all the parts necessary to build the original RCA 44 B/BX design to its original specifications, just as it was in the 1930s. Exclusive deals, delivered straight to your inbox. Happy customers, one piece of gear at a time! However, preamps with above a 5K ohm impedance found in many live soundboards are adequate for guitar amps and other louder instruments. It is a pure undamped ribbon design, an approach that has been out of production for over 50 years while remaining in continuous studio use. “The R44 through the RPQ2 is one of my favorite chains lately. Next, they use modern magnet technology which is much more robust than period magnets. Based on the character of the legendary R44, R84 series ribbon mics provide classic tonality with extended top-end and reduced proximity effect for medium and close range recording. The AEA R44C is an exact replica of the vintage RCA 44BX ribbon microphone, considered the most musical sounding microphone ever built. In use for more than 80 years in recording and broadcast studios throughout the world, the RCA 44 ribbon design is as rich in history as it is in sound and character. This website uses cookies to improve your experience. All our microphones are handcrafted in the United States of America. To learn more about our cookie policy, please check our Privacy Policy. Our Sales Engineers are a world-class team of music gear experts whose sole job is to provide you with helpful advice and unparalleled service completely free of charge. , To guarantee consistent, full-range ribbon sound, we recommend AEA’s RPQ2, RPQ500 and TRP2 preamps, which were specially designed for ribbon microphones. In fact, I would unhesitatingly use these microphones for most brass applications.”, “What you are paying for in the A440 is that 'magic' sound - and a degree of authenticity that's as close as is possible to the original 44 - in a package that delivers the goods in a more modern recording chain. Connector: XLR-3M wired to a 2 meter captive cable, Polar Pattern: Native bi-directional pattern, Horizontal: Level changes with angle, frequency response is consistent, -90 dB null at 90 / 270 degrees, Vertical: Level changes with angle, reduced HF response above and below 0/180 degree axis, null at 90/270 degrees, Ribbon Thickness: 1.8 microns ( .0000018 meter ) of pure aluminum, Accessories Included: Custom storage/shipping case, stand adapter, manual and attached two-meter microphone cable. At the heart of all our products is a promise to deliver creative tools of the highest quality and craftsmanship possible, a promise inherited from our predecessor, RCA. By 1998, AEA had acquired 100 percent of the interchangeable parts used within the original RCA 44. The AEA mic pre is also a must have - not only for their mics but for tube mics and other ribbons. The R44 from AEA is one of those rare mics that has remained relatively unchanged from its inception, and still sounds great some 75 years later. The AEA R44 is the faithful reproduction of the classic RCA 44, both inside and out. Both listeners and measurements say that the R44 is better and AEA has been listening to both users and ex-RCA engineers for over 25 years. Phone Hours | In 1976, AEA decided to begin servicing the thousands of existing RCA ribbon mics in the world. Wes Dooley, a specialist in ribbon mics of all kinds, has now restored the 44 type microphone to its rightful position in the studio. Sweetwater Sales Engineers help you buy music gear with confidence. Go ahead and place your order and we'll follow up shortly to let you know when to expect it. Sweetwater's Sales Engineers are regarded as the most experienced and knowledgeable professionals in the music industry, with extensive music backgrounds and intense training on the latest products and technologies. The sound and response of the 44 B/BX were unlike anything else available, and was cherished for its smoothness, forgiving nature and unique tonal balance. Both mics have an identical sound and are exactly the same on the inside. The R44 design runs contrary to all current ribbon microphone manufacturing. And with the RPQ ribbon pre P48 you get a preamplifier that will do it - and for that matter, any other ribbon microphone - the utmost justice.”, “As with the other RCA44 variants, though, [the A440] is enough for us cash‑starved mortals to know that such fabulous mics are still available, and easier to use now than ever before — and that they still sound utterly wonderful. It sounds absolutely incredible…”, “The R88 is beyond belief! The difference between the two is only cosmetics and price. Unparalleled warmth and legendary character, Full and rich tonality with generous low end and proximity effect, Faithful reproduction of the RCA R44BX with new old stock RCA ribbon material, Economy exterior R44CE exhibits same, classic sound. AEA also combined the original American undamped ribbon design with the British RCA 44 innovations that lower the weight and hum sensitivity. Classic Ribbon Microphone Built to Original RCA Specifications with Original RCA Ribbon Stock. The R44 from RCA is one of those rare mics that has remained relatively unchanged from its inception, and still sounds great some 75 years later. Now is the perfect time to get the gear you want with simple, promotional financing. Its smooth ribbon character and overall warm sound were perfect for this application. They start by using only ribbon material originally manufactured for RCA. This instantly recognizable sound produces thunderous lows due to the strong proximity effect, full and rich midrange and a unique top end taking the edge off of harsh instruments. Effective on a broad range of instruments and rooms, the R44 bolsters mids and lows while smoothing harsh high frequencies to produce a multi-dimensional sound unlike that of any microphone … The R44 sounds good on everything. Buying music gear can be complicated, but your Sweetwater Sales Engineer is here to help. The R44 CX is that "Magic" mic that I had been looking for. Bruce Swedien particularly likes them on vocals, Joe Chicarelli on sax, Allen Sides on electric guitar. Many of the 20th century’s most iconic recordings were recorded by the R44. As collectors began to buy up the supply of RCA 44's through the 90's, the availability of this wonderful ribbon mic to the studio was greatly endangered. It is large and heavy when other microphones are smaller and lighter. When you purchase an AEA microphone, you connect with the proud history and exciting future of the world’s finest ribbon mics. After years of painstaking work, AEA has again begun production of the most important ribbon mic of all time: the AEA R44C. Get Directions | Thank you for your request. Preamp gain should be at least +60dB or higher and it should have a very high impedance. The A440 is an extremely quiet ribbon microphone, arguably the quietest ribbon mic ever produced.