{"product_id":"aea-ku4-184807","title":"KU4","description":"\u003ch3\u003eAn AEA Ribbon Like No Other: Near-Field Precision, the Spirit of Major Studios\u003c\/h3\u003e \u003cbr \/\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe KU4 holds a unique position in the world of ribbon microphones. While many traditional ribbons favor a figure-eight polar pattern and a darker tonal aesthetic, AEA offers here a \u003cstrong\u003epassive\u003c\/strong\u003e ribbon with a decidedly modern character: \u003cstrong\u003esupercardioid\u003c\/strong\u003e, oriented for the \"near field,\" and intentionally brighter in the high frequencies. The result: you get the typical ribbon sense of texture, depth, and coherence, with \u003cstrong\u003ehigh-end definition\u003c\/strong\u003e that captures vocals and instruments without veil, even in very dense contemporary productions.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cbr \/\u003e\u003cp\u003eThis approach also addresses a classic studio challenge: preserving the musical character of a ribbon while \u003cstrong\u003ereducing room ambiance\u003c\/strong\u003e and bleed from other sources. The KU4 is particularly comfortable when musicians play together, when the acoustics are less than ideal, or when isolating a source without resulting in an aggressive sound.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cbr \/\u003e\u003cbr \/\u003e\u003ch3\u003eWho and What: A Ribbon Designed for Vocals, Tracking, and Stage Use\u003c\/h3\u003e \u003cbr \/\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe AEA KU4 is aimed at sound engineers, producers, and musicians seeking a microphone capable of delivering a very convincing \u003cstrong\u003evocal presence\u003c\/strong\u003e without harshness, while remaining usable on a wide variety of instruments. Its slightly emphasized midrange and \u003cstrong\u003eminimal proximity effect\u003c\/strong\u003e make it a particularly relevant choice for singers who naturally get close to the microphone: the performance remains clear, articulated, and the tonal balance stays stable.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cbr \/\u003e\u003cp\u003eThanks to its supercardioid polar pattern, the KU4 is also an excellent tool for \u003cstrong\u003etracking in real conditions\u003c\/strong\u003e (musicians in the same room, simultaneous takes): it primarily captures direct sound, with less ambient coloration than a figure-eight ribbon. On stage, this ability to limit bleed can also make a difference, especially when you want to retain the texture of a ribbon while maintaining good control over the stage environment.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cbr \/\u003e\u003cbr \/\u003e\u003ch3\u003eA \"Inches Rather Than Feet\" Design: Polar Pattern, Placement, and Balance\u003c\/h3\u003e \u003cbr \/\u003e\u003cbr \/\u003e\u003ch4\u003eSupercardioid: Capturing Direct Sound Without the \"Room\"\u003c\/h4\u003e \u003cbr \/\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe KU4's supercardioid polar pattern is an immediate asset: it helps maintain a focused sound with strong rejection of off-axis sources. Where some figure-eight ribbons require very precise placement to exploit their null zones (and prevent neighboring instruments from bleeding into the mic), the KU4 simplifies setup: you aim at the source, better control the environment, and quickly achieve a usable take.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cbr \/\u003e\u003cbr \/\u003e\u003ch4\u003eNear Field: A Ribbon Optimized for Close Distance Miking\u003c\/h4\u003e \u003cbr \/\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe KU4 was designed to work \u003cstrong\u003ebetween 1 and 18 inches\u003c\/strong\u003e from the source. The proximity effect starts at \u003cstrong\u003e6 inches\u003c\/strong\u003e: you can thus bring the microphone close to an instrument while maintaining a more balanced frequency response than many classic ribbons. This is particularly useful on vocals (proximity without excessive bass), but also on sources where attack and clarity are desired.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cbr \/\u003e\u003cbr \/\u003e\u003ch4\u003eStudio Applications: Vocals, Kick Drum, Strings, and Woodwinds\u003c\/h4\u003e \u003cbr \/\u003e\u003cp\u003eFor vocal recording, the KU4 excels when a \u003cstrong\u003epresent and detailed\u003c\/strong\u003e sound is desired, with a brighter high end than the average ribbon. On kick drum (at close distance), it provides brightness and balance that integrate easily into the mix, while on strings and woodwinds, it helps capture texture and body without losing transient detail.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cbr \/\u003e\u003cp\u003eAs with all passive ribbon microphones, it benefits from a preamp offering \u003cstrong\u003eclean and generous gain\u003c\/strong\u003e. As a precaution, it is recommended to \u003cstrong\u003edisable 48 V phantom power\u003c\/strong\u003e when connecting and using the microphone.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eTechnical specifications\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cstyle\u003e@media(max-width:632px){table[data-wb-spec]{display:grid;grid-template-columns:minmax(0,1fr) minmax(0,1fr)}table[data-wb-spec] colgroup{display:none}table[data-wb-spec] tbody,table[data-wb-spec] tr{display:contents}table[data-wb-spec] td{display:block;overflow-wrap:anywhere;grid-row:var(--wb-l);background-color:var(--wb-lb)}table[data-wb-spec] td[data-r]{grid-row:var(--wb-r);background-color:var(--wb-rb)}table[data-wb-spec] td[colspan=\"2\"]{grid-column:1\/-1}table[data-wb-spec] td:empty{display:none}}\u003c\/style\u003e\n\u003ctable data-wb-spec style=\"width:100%;table-layout:fixed\"\u003e\n\u003ccolgroup\u003e\u003ccol style=\"width:25%\"\u003e\u003ccol style=\"width:25%\"\u003e\u003ccol style=\"width:25%\"\u003e\u003ccol style=\"width:25%\"\u003e\u003c\/colgroup\u003e\n  \u003ctr style=\"background-color:var(--wb-neutral-50);--wb-l:1;--wb-r:5;--wb-lb:var(--wb-neutral-50);--wb-rb:var(--wb-neutral-50)\"\u003e\u003ctd style=\"text-align:left\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFrequency response - start\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\u003ctd style=\"text-align:left;font-weight:var(--font-body-weight-bolder)\"\u003e30 Hz\u003c\/td\u003e\u003ctd data-r style=\"text-align:left\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCapsule\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\u003ctd data-r style=\"text-align:left;font-weight:var(--font-body-weight-bolder)\"\u003eribbon dynamic\u003c\/td\u003e\u003c\/tr\u003e\n  \u003ctr style=\"background-color:transparent;--wb-l:2;--wb-r:6;--wb-lb:transparent;--wb-rb:transparent\"\u003e\u003ctd style=\"text-align:left\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFrequency response - end\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\u003ctd style=\"text-align:left;font-weight:var(--font-body-weight-bolder)\"\u003e20 kHz\u003c\/td\u003e\u003ctd data-r style=\"text-align:left\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eConnection\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\u003ctd data-r style=\"text-align:left;font-weight:var(--font-body-weight-bolder)\"\u003eXLR\u003c\/td\u003e\u003c\/tr\u003e\n  \u003ctr style=\"background-color:var(--wb-neutral-50);--wb-l:3;--wb-r:7;--wb-lb:var(--wb-neutral-50);--wb-rb:var(--wb-neutral-50)\"\u003e\u003ctd style=\"text-align:left\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCategory\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\u003ctd style=\"text-align:left;font-weight:var(--font-body-weight-bolder)\"\u003estudio microphone\u003c\/td\u003e\u003ctd data-r style=\"text-align:left\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eColor\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\u003ctd data-r style=\"text-align:left;font-weight:var(--font-body-weight-bolder)\"\u003eGrey\u003c\/td\u003e\u003c\/tr\u003e\n  \u003ctr style=\"background-color:transparent;--wb-l:4;--wb-r:8;--wb-lb:transparent;--wb-rb:transparent\"\u003e\u003ctd style=\"text-align:left\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDirectivity\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\u003ctd style=\"text-align:left;font-weight:var(--font-body-weight-bolder)\"\u003esupercardioid\u003c\/td\u003e\u003ctd data-r colspan=\"2\"\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003ctable data-wb-spec style=\"width:100%;table-layout:fixed\"\u003e\n\u003ccolgroup\u003e\u003ccol style=\"width:25%\"\u003e\u003ccol style=\"width:25%\"\u003e\u003ccol style=\"width:25%\"\u003e\u003ccol style=\"width:25%\"\u003e\u003c\/colgroup\u003e\n  \u003ctr style=\"background-color:var(--wb-neutral-50);--wb-l:1;--wb-r:6;--wb-lb:transparent;--wb-rb:var(--wb-neutral-50)\"\u003e\u003ctd style=\"text-align:left\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePolar pattern\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\u003ctd style=\"text-align:left;font-weight:var(--font-body-weight-bolder)\"\u003esupercardioid\u003c\/td\u003e\u003ctd data-r style=\"text-align:left\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eOutput impedance\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\u003ctd data-r style=\"text-align:left;font-weight:var(--font-body-weight-bolder)\"\u003e300 Ohms\u003c\/td\u003e\u003c\/tr\u003e\n  \u003ctr style=\"background-color:transparent;--wb-l:2;--wb-r:7;--wb-lb:var(--wb-neutral-50);--wb-rb:transparent\"\u003e\u003ctd style=\"text-align:left\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFolded aluminum ribbon\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\u003ctd style=\"text-align:left;font-weight:var(--font-body-weight-bolder)\"\u003e1.8 micrometers (2.1 x 28.6 mm)\u003c\/td\u003e\u003ctd data-r style=\"text-align:left\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIncluded\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\u003ctd data-r style=\"text-align:left;font-weight:var(--font-body-weight-bolder)\"\u003emicrophone mount, protective pouch, and high-quality carrying case\u003c\/td\u003e\u003c\/tr\u003e\n  \u003ctr style=\"background-color:var(--wb-neutral-50);--wb-l:3;--wb-r:8;--wb-lb:transparent;--wb-rb:var(--wb-neutral-50)\"\u003e\u003ctd style=\"text-align:left\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFrequency response\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\u003ctd style=\"text-align:left;font-weight:var(--font-body-weight-bolder)\"\u003e30 - 20,000 Hz\u003c\/td\u003e\u003ctd data-r style=\"text-align:left\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDimensions (H x W x D)\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\u003ctd data-r style=\"text-align:left;font-weight:var(--font-body-weight-bolder)\"\u003e320 x 116 x 94 mm\u003c\/td\u003e\u003c\/tr\u003e\n  \u003ctr style=\"background-color:transparent;--wb-l:4;--wb-r:9;--wb-lb:var(--wb-neutral-50);--wb-rb:transparent\"\u003e\u003ctd style=\"text-align:left\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMaximum sound pressure level\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\u003ctd style=\"text-align:left;font-weight:var(--font-body-weight-bolder)\"\u003e140 dB SPL (above 200 Hz for 1% THD)\u003c\/td\u003e\u003ctd data-r style=\"text-align:left\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWeight\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\u003ctd data-r style=\"text-align:left;font-weight:var(--font-body-weight-bolder)\"\u003e2.23 kg\u003c\/td\u003e\u003c\/tr\u003e\n  \u003ctr style=\"background-color:var(--wb-neutral-50);--wb-l:5;--wb-r:10;--wb-lb:transparent;--wb-rb:var(--wb-neutral-50)\"\u003e\u003ctd style=\"text-align:left\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSensitivity\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\u003ctd style=\"text-align:left;font-weight:var(--font-body-weight-bolder)\"\u003e-52 dBV (2.5 mV\/Pa) at 1 kHz\u003c\/td\u003e\u003ctd data-r colspan=\"2\"\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e","brand":"AEA","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":54361081676051,"sku":"184807","price":6869.0,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0984\/0872\/6803\/files\/e4e4d2782e834abe720e36c04c4e609ee020bfc6_1AEA_KU4.jpg?v=1792676055","url":"https:\/\/woodbrass.shop\/products\/aea-ku4-184807","provider":"Woodbrass.com","version":"1.0","type":"link"}