AEA KU5A – Active ribbon microphone

The KU5A with supercardioid pickup pattern sets new standards in ribbon technology with its focused polar pattern that suppresses crosstalk from other instruments, room reflections and loud ambient noise in the studio and on stage.

Never before has a ribbon microphone delivered so much clarity and tonal range in a package suitable for both studio and live use. As a ribbon designed for close-range recording, the KU5A delivers the powerful lows and pronounced mids familiar from AEA ribbons with moderate, controllable proximity effect. Singers can sing directly into the KU5A’s grille, as its internal components are the best protected in the AEA lineup.

The KU5A features active electronics suitable for any preamplifier in the studio or on the road, as well as an integrated high-pass filter to cut low frequencies in close-up recordings.

The KU5A’s supercardioid pickup pattern captures pure direct sound while suppressing room sound behind the microphone. This feature prevents excessive monitor and audience noise when recording live musicians in a room or on stage. Conventional 8-shaped ribbons that capture both direct sound and room sound rely on sharp nulls to prevent unwanted ambient noise. The directionality and supercardioid pattern allow effortless positioning on snare, toms, and other hard-to-reach instruments. The signal picked up by dynamic and condenser microphones often sounds harsh and brittle due to the high frequencies. The KU5A’s minimal overdrive sounds more natural, as the upper frequencies are smooth and blend well into a mix.