AEA KU5A
The supercardioid AEA KU5A breaks new ground in ribbon technology with its acutely focused directionality that rejects bleed from other instruments, room reflections, and loud ambience in the studio and on stage.
 
Never before has a ribbon mic delivered as much clarity and breadth of sound in a package so fit for both studio and live use. As a near-field ribbon designed for close range recording, the AEA KU5A delivers the low-end heft and pronounced midrange one expects of AEA ribbons and with moderate, manageable proximity effect. Vocalists can sing directly into the grill of the KU5A, as its interior components are the most protected of any in the AEA lineup.
 
The KU5A is equipped with active electronics, fit for any preamp in the studio and on the road, as well as an integrated high-pass filter to roll off low end in close range recording applications.
 
The Supercardioid Ribbon
The KU5A’s supercardioid polar pattern captures pure, direct sound while rejecting room tone from behind the mic. This feature prevents excessive monitor and audience bleed when tracking musicians live in one room or on stage. Traditional figure-of-8 ribbons, which distinctly incorporate both direct sound and room sound, rely on sharp nulls to reject unwanted bleed.
 
The KU5A’s end-address directionality and tight supercardioid pattern allow for effortless positioning on snare, toms, and other instruments that may be difficult to access. Signal bleed captured by dynamic mics and condensers often sounds harsh and brittle due to top-end frequencies. The minimal bleed captured by the AEA KU5A sounds more natural as a result of its smooth top end and coheres well in a mix.
 
Well-Rounded Tonality
If you are fond of ribbon tonality and want to capture the direct sound of your instrument without room reflections and bleed, the AEA KU5A is a perfect choice. Its smooth ribbon midrange softens the sibilance that a condenser often accentuates, and its extended top end mitigates the need to blend it with other microphones for more bite.
 
Easy Rider
Touring bands rely on the durability and low-profile of the AEA KU5A for sound reinforcement at live shows. At outdoor festivals and indoor theaters alike, the KU5A is perfectly equipped to bring studio sound to the live stage. Its integrated windscreen protection prevents interference at windy venues and its active electronics allow for flexibility with virtually any mixing board or audio interface.
 
AEA RPQ500
Get all the clean gain you could ever need for the quietest mic sources with the AEA RPQ500. This mono, single-slot module offers both mic and line input modes allowing it to be used not only as a pristine mic pre, but also as an EQ and fader unit during mixdown.

Between the 12-position mic pre gain and the continuously variable output level, up to 81 dB of JFET gain is available. Three LEDs are provided for clear indication of levels at -20, 0, and +24 dBu. Use the CurveShaper EQ to finesse the high-band character at the frequency of your choosing, between 2.5 and 30 kHz. Tame bass buildup and proximity effect at the twist of a knob with the low-cut filter, which features -20 dB of maximum reduction and variable frequency selection from 22 to 515 Hz.
 
The Controls
- LED Indicators: Green, yellow, and red LEDs indicate levels at -20, 0, and +24 dBu
- Curve Gain: This continuously variable control adjusts the HF gain from flat (+0 dB) to maximum (approximately +20 dB); the slope of the CurveShaper EQ varies as Curve frequency and gain settings interact
- Curve Freq: This continuously variable control adjusts the +3 dB break-frequency from 2.5 to 30 kHz
- HF Switch: Out is true bypass; In inserts the CurveShaper circuitry
- LF Switch: Out is bypass; In inserts the -20 dB low-cut shelving filter
- Low Freq Cut: This continuously variable control adjusts the -3 dB break frequency of the filter from 22 to 515 Hz; maximum LF reduction is -20 dB
- P48 Switch: Out is off; In applies full-spec P48 phantom power to the input (indicated by the red LED near the switch)
- Mic/Line Switch: Out is Mic Input mode; In is Line Input mode (green LED on), which bypasses the mic preamp stage to accommodate line-level signals
- Polarity Switch: Out is normal; In is inverted
- Mic Gain: This 12-position switch selects from +13 to +62 dB of preamplifier gain
- Output Level: This continuously variable control provides up to +19 dB additional output gain in Mic Input Mode (following the optional CurveShaper circuitry); it acts as a fader and allows -60 dB attenuation of the output signal (0 dB unity is one tick below +6 dB)
 
The RPQ 500 Features
- One channel with 81 dB of sweet and quiet JFET gain
- High-frequency CurveShaper EQ and low-frequency proximity control
- Mic and line inputs for mixdown EQ versatility
- Switchable phantom power, polarity, and mic/line input mode
- NoLoad 10-kilohm high-impedance circuitry providing better overall transients, frequency response, and higher output sensitivity
- Made in the USA
 
The KU5A Features
- Supercardioid polar pattern that rejects room tone and instrument bleed
- Detailed, extended top end with ribbon smoothness and warmth
- Supreme durability for close-range, outdoor, and live use
- Active electronics and custom transformer optimized for all preamps
- Front address design with built-in yoke is simple to position
- Integrated high-pass filter switch reduces proximity effect at close-range
- Matte black finish is discreet on camera