Aea KU5A User Manual

AEA KU5A

OWNER’S MANUAL

ACTIVE CARDIOID END-ADDRESS RIBBON MIC

WELCOME

We congratulate you on your purchase of the AEA KU5A ribbon
microphone and welcome you to the AEA family. Never before has a
ribbon mic delivered such directionality and uncompromised tonality

in a package so t for both studio and live settings. The KU5A

is ideal for studio and live applications where both superior rejection
and classic ribbon tonality are paramount. Whether recording a vocal,
guitar, or even a snare drum, the KU5A delivers brilliant, focused sound
where other conventional ribbons can’t. From close range the KU5A
retains the hefty low end and pronounced midrange one expects of
AEA ribbons and with manageable proximity effect. Vocalists can sing
directly into the grille of the KU5A because its interior components are

the most protected of any in the AEA lineup. The rugged KU5A is

equipped with active electronics, so it’s suited or any preamp in the
studio and on the road.

Your KU5A microphone is 100% handcrafted in Pasadena, CA. AEA
is an independent, family owned company with a small crew of
skilled technicians – many of whom are themselves, musicians. We
manufacture all our ribbon microphones and preamps with
locally sourced parts.

We hope your microphone will capture many magical performances

that touch the heart. This manual will help ensure that you get the best

sound and longevity from your new microphone. Please become part
of the AEA community by sharing your experiences via e-mail, phone
or social media.

Wes Dooley

President of AEA

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CONTENTS

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10

WELCOME
INTRODUCTION
SUPPORT
GENERAL GUIDELINES
APPLICATION ADVICE
SPECIFICATIONS

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INTRODUCTION

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 141+ dB SPL at 1kHz. The KU5A's

integrated electronic high-pass filter smoothly rolls off low end with

a 6dB/octave shelf 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.

WARRANTY

Your KU5A comes with a one-year limited warranty on
parts and labor, shipping not included. Registering

your product with AEA will extend the warranty to a
full three years.

Register your microphone at AEAribbonmics.com/

register-your-aea.

SUPPORT

If you should encounter any problems with your microphone
or have questions regarding the use of your KU5A series mic in
specific applications, please contact our customer support team at

[e-mail].

To talk to a live human being, call [phone], between 9:00
A.M.- 5:00 P.M. PT Monday through Friday. AEA's repair center is
located at 1029 N. Allen Ave, Pasadena, CA 91104, U.S.A.

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