Audio Engineering Associates KU4 Owner's Manual

[Page 1] Audio Engineering Associates KU4

KU4 Owner’s Manual What made the KU3A so special? Based on the smooth long-ribbon sound of RCA’s classic model 44BX, the KU3A provided a unidirectional, rather than a bi-polar, response pattern. In contrast to the RCA 77-D(X), the KU3A had a �...

[Page 2] Audio Engineering Associates KU4

QUICK-START GUIDE To maintain the best performance from your new AEA KU4 microphone, take note of these five basic rules: 1) Keep the microphone covered when it is not in use. 2) Always use a sturdy microphone stand or a boom with a counterwe...

[Page 3] Audio Engineering Associates KU4

HOW IS THE KU4 DIFFERENT FROM OTHER RIBBON MICROPHONES? All ribbon microphones are dynamic pressure-gradient transducers. They respond to the difference in pressure between the front and back of the ribbon. As soundwaves move the ribbon in the magne...

[Page 4] Audio Engineering Associates KU4

The AEA KU4 is unlike any other ribbon microphone, because its polar response has been tailored to provide a supercardioid pickup pattern. The reduced rear-lobe of the supercardioid pattern means that compared to a conventional bi- directional ribbo...

[Page 5] Audio Engineering Associates KU4

To provide the utmost in long-term reliability, the KU4’s ribbon is well protected from external dam- age and its field-tech replaceable pole piece and ribbon assembly enable convenient repair if damage occurs to the microphone. HOW IS THE KU4 DI...

[Page 6] Audio Engineering Associates KU4

GENERAL GUIDELINES FOR USING THE AEA KU4 Controlling Leakage A significant and ever-present challenge in contemporary studio recording is minimizing “leakage” from nearby instruments into the various microphones. The deep nulls of ribbon microp...

[Page 7] Audio Engineering Associates KU4

Experienced vocalists instinctively locate the proper working distances for the microphones they are using. From as early as the 1930s, Frank Sinatra always kept one hand on the microphone stand while singing. Some joked that he simply was steadyin...

[Page 8] Audio Engineering Associates KU4

High SPL sound sources do not usually pose a problem because most ribbon microphones can handle 130 dB/SPL or more without difficulty. It is only those “explosive” sources that produce a strong blast of air, such as the bass port on an electri...

[Page 9] Audio Engineering Associates KU4

ing the cushion mount reaching out horizontally on a boom will cause inferior vibration isolation and can also distort the cushion mount as time goes by. … Stay away from hard drives The high-performance magnets used in the KU4 are incredibly s...

[Page 10] Audio Engineering Associates KU4

Specifications: Operating Principle: Velocity microphone Frequency Response: Below 30 Hz to above 20 kHz Maximum SPL: 140 + dB SPL above 200Hz for 1% third harmonic Output Sensitivity: 2.5 mV/Pa into unloaded circuit Output ...