AEA KU5a Active Ribbon Mic Review / Test (vs. SM7b, R10, M160)
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 4 มิ.ย. 2024
- Today I review a microphone from one of my favorite mics of all time, the AEA KU5a. This is a super cardioid active ribbon microphone that gives you that great ribbon sound without the issue of requiring a super powerful preamp. Additionally, it does a very respectable job at background noise rejection, has a built in high pass filter, and a 3M built in XLR cable.
HQ Audio Of Review: podcastage.com/rev/ku5a
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00:00 - Intro / Price / Disclaimer
00:20 - Setup
00:41 - What’s in the Box
01:12 - Build Quality / Walkthrough
02:09 - Specifications
02:32 - Polar Pattern Test (Tone / Rotation)
02:54 - Plosive Test
03:05 - Distance Test / Proximity Effect Test
03:31 - Background Noise Test
03:50 - Untreated Room Test
04:03 - Mic Mount Bump Test
04:21 - Mic Resonance Tap Test
04:38 - High Pass Filter Test
05:12 - AEA Windscreen Test
05:47 - Intro to Comparison
06:01 - MXL R144 Comparison
06:50 - Shure SM7b Comparison
07:36 - Royer R10 Comparison
08:18 - Beyerdynamic M160 Comparison
09:25 - Music Test
10:41 - Pros & Cons
12:00 - Overall Thoughts
14:44 - Recommendation
16:27 - Outro
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I actually met the lead electrical engineer of AEA once. I was in pasadena for a summer and had an RE-20 I was trying to fix that I couldn't get open. I walked to one audio repair place and they said they didn't repair mics, but said there was a guy who made them and gave me AEA's address. So I walked there and just stood outside in the middle of the pasadena summer. Eventually someone coming back from lunch break saw me and let me in. He introduced me to the electrical engineer and we tried getting the mic open for a bit and talked about mics. Everyone there was really nice and when we couldn't get it open he gave me his card and told me to keep him posted.
I think that was me
@@Quadraphonicsoul Yes it was! I hope you're doing well! Thanks for helping me out in the middle of the work day all those years ago.
Holy shitballs that mic sounds insane
You know you want one!
@@Podcastage the mic, or shitballs?
there is one cure for sonic insanity purchase 2
A wild fluff appears
@@metal571 Fluff is always wild. That's why we love him.
Love those ribbon mics. Especially like that you don't have to be right on top of it to get that warmth. I like the KU5a most for your voice - spoken word.
Absolutely an outstanding microphone style and the supercardioid is great.
How would the supercardiod work for spoken word in an untreated room?
@@stevetimko1461 It would help a bit, but it's no substitute for actual treatment. The reason super/hyper cardioids are used for indoor location audio is both because it helps with picking up less echo (it'll still be there, but the reflections from the sides will be less noticeable), and because the interference tube on a shotgun mic can cause pretty bad artifacts in a reverberant space.
Now it's also a ribbon mic which might help a bit, but generally if you're worried about how your room sounds, you should treat rathen than try offsetting the issues with a specific type of mic.
AEA advertises it and the KU4 as being great at rejecting room tone, but take that with a grain of salt, because so much is acceptable in marketing when it comes to audio gear. You should always have some form of treatment, even if it's just hanging up a comforter or two, or stacking your pillows and couch cushions against the wall.
YES! I’ve been waiting on this review for a while. I’ve been very fascinated with this mic ever since I saw it on your podcast, and it sounds fantastic! One of the best mics for your voice. Just incredibly warm and smooth.
Just got one. She's as smooth as butter spread on silk draped over velvet~
I LOVE the KU5A. I'm using it more and more for pretty much everything, horns, voice (singing and spoken word), and strings. I'm pairing it with the AEA TRP2 pre amp and it's awesome. As always thanks for a great review. Thank you for all of your hard work. U DA MAN!
definitely the best sounding mic for vocal and speaking i’ve heard
Such a smooth sound! Holy smokes is that smooth! Amazing video as always, loved the tone of this mic!
It really has somehting special to it. That's the ribbon promise.
@@Podcastage I can tell! I got to see about getting this one to expand my mic-locker
Awesome demo! I would normally reach for an RE-20 for a smooth top-end, but this mic would absolutely be a nice addition to any mic collection and it suits your voice very well.
I have never heard your voice sound so beautifully, for real!
Wonderful review. Thanks!
I dig your videos. Don't let my handle fool you, I'been playing music for a living for over 40 years. Almost 25 of that in Nashville.
You have a super consistent system, and it is very cool. God Bless.
This is one of those cases where the measurements don't look all that impressive, yet the execution somehow still sounds great. It's so amazingly smooth, yet it doesn't sound muffled or rolled off. It works particularly well for spoken word and serves as a nice counter to the rash of overly trebly mics out there.
Always love your videos - have kept me amused and entertained and of course informed through lockdown many many thanks.
Sounds great. I love ribbon mics that aren't figure 8. I really want that old RCA one that had switchable polar patterns.
Seems like this would fit my voice very well for VO. Thanks for the review.
KU5A all the way. Just ordered one off reverb. I run an amateur radio station and we are strongly into audio processing. Can’t wait to hear the smoothness over the air.
In the morning!
Heard your donation on the No Agenda Show! I thought that might be you when they first said the name - so cool!
Keep up the awesome content
awesome video Bandrew hope you would do some reviews on some Audio Interfaces to give us all a idea what we can look forward to when buying one
Yes! This was the brand that I've always wanted to see reviewed here. Wondering if AEA will send the R84A or R88A models for review someday.
This dude coming back puts a smile on my face
Thanks to your review i purchased a Ku5a and i love it. Sounds wonderful and is definitely my best mic
Thrilled to hear you're loving the mic! Thanks for watching and I hope it bring you decades of great sounding recordings.
perfect balance ! will get that mic ! Thanks for this great review !
Love this clip, love the visual design of the mic: looks 1975, like something the Jawas have collected for use in their Sandcrawler. The tone is lovely. But something I'm still trying to parse: I never see "internal noise/self-noise" in the specs for ribbon mics; does this mean they don't have any? But with the amount of clean gain required, does that even _mean_ anything?
Found you a when the mv7 came out. Awesome review. I still watch the channel, even tho I’m not going to by a new mic. Good stuff bud. Keep it up.
Cool vid. Wish you would have done some examples showing the differences in the polar patterns including room noise.
This AEA sounded excellent on voice and acoustic guitar. I'm sure it can also work for work for electric guitar, as well.
Great video! Would loved to have heard an RE-20 and a 4038 as a comparison as well. Keep it up!
Hi Bandrew,
Love your reviews, your the best, PERIOD!
Question,
As its an active mic, why dont AEA give an EIN figure?
This microphone is insane. Bandrew you have to keep using this as your spoken word mic. Also Jesus Christ the acoustic sound is beautiful. I feel like this mic has the same effect on me as the true level plane did on morty.
Hey I enjoy your review videos! I was wondering if i could get some advice on a mic. I was looking for a beginner/intermediate level microphone for live recordings of vocals and acoustic guitar at the same time. Would a Rode NT-1a, NT-1, NT-2a, AT2035 or AT2020 be best for price? I was thinking NT-1a or AT2035
I use a fethead on my M160 and it adds plenty of gain without setting the preamp super high. Sounds beautiful, particularly on violin recording.
this sounds like a joy to mix... absolutely worth its price
Great sounding mic! I've watched quite a few of your videos now and I think I hear what you hear about the various mics 100% of the time until now. I liked how it sounded on everything until your electric guitar. It sounded harsh and hurt my ears. I was surprised you liked it on your electric. Anyway, thank you for what you do making these great mic comparison videos!
I've been using an old RCA DX-77 from 1962-ish for the past year on all of my Zoom and TH-cam videos. It doesn't sound as great as my higher end mics, but it sounds very nice and it's a conversation piece. I love it. Hard to drive it, though. I have a UA LA-610 turned up to 10 on the pre-amp side.
Great review! Have you tried their N22?
Question!
I recently purchased the KU5a. I mainly record classical/musical theatre vocals.
So I was looking for a mic that could handle high-impact sound. When I was testing it out I found it sounded very boomy and unpleasant in my upper range, even at a low input level.
(Granted my voice has a slight brassy tone to it) Then I compared it with my SM58 and to my surprise that sounded way better on my voice than the KU5a.
Trying to figure out if the KU5a is not right for me or if I need a better interface or something? I currently have a Focusrite Scarlet solo 3rd gen.
Any advice would be much appreciated!
Ps. I love your videos they are so entertaining and helpful all at the same time.
Heard your note on NA, cool you're a listener too, followed your videos for a while :) keep it up!
ITM
Wow, now I want one! But for now.. How I wish you’d review the sE Voodoo Vr1 or the Lewitt LCT840! Can’t decide which one to get first!
I love ribbon mics too.
Perhaps you can test the Beyerdynamic M 130, and the Audio-Technica AT480 and AT481, and the Shure KSM313.
Super expensive mic, sounds good tho. I started watchign you 2019 and still watching now for mic reviews!
Did you ever try a Beyer M-500? I had an old one once, but it broke. I loved that mike!
Please do as many ribbon mic reviews as you can stand to do. I LOVE RIBBON MICS. And your reviews are excellent.
Wow. the KU5a sounds great!
immediately noticed how good it sounded.
The m160, is really good on your voice too.
Any plans to try out the Earthworks SV33?
I love the way this mic sounds. It sounded great in your "You've Got A Friend In Me" cover video. Just wish I could actually afford it.
I'd love to hear to hear a comparison with an MKh416. It's price and sound I think it's going after the mkh416 as THE voice over mic.
having issues with low audio levels with a umc404HD from behringner and a shure sm58. If I turn up the gain it sounds horrible. set to a proper ammount the proximity effect makes my mic super bass heavy and muffled. its also still really queit. any advice im really lost here.
this mic sounds amazing
Me hearing this mic: "Oh"
You're such an ass.
Oh. Oh okay
Said the verbose ass.
Would be interesting how you'd compare a Superlux R102 to the others...
The most impressive part of the test is @ 3:25. The tone never changes no matter how far back you get.
Nice review, I want one!!!!!
It seems to better mic for singing than the M160 and definitely sounds different, but I'd take either one :-). One of the main reasons people say they like ribbon microphones is because you can EQ them so easily and radically without bringing out odd resonances you can get when you try to EQ other types. I've found that to be true with my own ribbon mics, though boosting a lot of highs can definitely bring some noise along with it, even though I use an SE Dynamite. Thanks for the review.
GOD IT SOUNDS SO GOOOOOOD
Why did you censor the high pass filter thing on the back of the microphone at around 2 minutes?
I think this mic was very flattering to your voice. Id say tops the SM7-B for you. I would like to see a shootout between this mic and the Earthworks Ethos.
duuuude, it sounds heavenly.....
The most balanced audio I've heard
Will you please review the AKG C12. To my ears, it's the best-sounding microphone ever made.
Really really loved the music test in this one and not because of the mic
An amazing sounding mic. I get the price given it's handmade in California. I just couldn't stop thinking about the $50 windscreen. I may be wrong but I believe it's not rocket science to produce one having the equipment and resources. Can't you just find a place and order a custom windscreen for less having provided the dimensions? 🤔
Overall I like the tendency that more companies decide to produce mics locally and engage in this international competition on a new (or rather old-school) level, supporting development of local businesses and technologies that will eventually propel innovations in the industry
I have the KU5A but that M160 sounds sweet. I may need to pick one up for live situations
I'm voice over artist and your channel is the best sound tech channel on The Tube! I share to all my colleagues.
Great review Bandrew & that was an awesome sounding Mic. Unfortunately, it's way out of my price range but then again, I don't really need a Mic! 😂😂👍👍😉😉🎤🎤🎤🎤👍👍😉😉
Could you do a Warm audio 47jr review? Thanks!
Can u plz do video of which mic is good for
(1) instruments
(2) vocals
(3) etc..
I'm trying to find a mic for my acoustic guitar for 100$ and can't select one.
Maybe you could compare how each mic sounds on a guitar so we can see what tone we want.
Thank you
AEA is and has been killing it. This is a fantastic mic from them that - like the original RCA BK-5A/B mic it's based on - often goes unnoticed by a lot of people who aren't clued in. At Blackbird Studios in Nashville Tennessee (one of, if not _the_ preeminent recording studios in the country) it's their most widely used ribbon microphone on electric guitar (the original RCA BK-5A). Many of the Nashville session guitar players refer to it as the "BK broiler." Very often it's paired with a Beyer M-201, SM57 and/or a large diaphragm condenser. It's definitely my next ribbon microphone.
Oh my gosh. I think I love every engineer in Nashville that's using an M201 and a KU5a. The m201 is one of my favorite dynamics, and the KU5a one of my favorite ribbons...the Beyer m160 is pretty fantastic as well though. Thanks for sharing this insight, it's super interesting to hear that.
I’ve lusted after this mic since its use in a few BSPs a while ago. Bloody brilliant microphone and it might even add some bottom end to my weak-ass voice.
I dislike it on electric guitar but bloody hell does it sound so nice on acoustic; I’d like to pair it with C414 room mic. That’d be a great combo.
And it a big plus that big dumb dumb me won’t blow it up by accidentally leaving phantom power on.
You should review the AEA R84 and AEA N22!
That is super kool...ditto for the price tag...oh my!
The AEA KU5a sounds really good! Don't agree with the price though. I concur with your comment of the Shure SM7B I use the microphone and always receive compliments. Great reviews!. Regards
I need a mic to rap/sing and stream on. Any recommendations? I have about 120€ to spend
What mic would you liken this mic to? Is there anything very very similar to it at a lower price point?
Crazy good!
Could we please change the plosives test from "Please bring pizza pronto" to "Please provide pizza pronto"?
I like to see a review of the DPA 2028 Vocal Mic
Can you give an alternative for audio technica atr2100 because it is not a available now (Same Price)
Could you, someday, pit the KU5A against the Ethos and the M201 TG (with A 81 WS windscreen)?
Rad review!
I'd love one of the microphones behind you. Unfortunately overly expensive prices in Turkey. I don't buy microphone or interface.. :(
Can you make a video of the rode podmic + ai-1? plz
What is the best microphone that doesn't pickup white noise or hissing sound?!!!!! It has been months since I was trying to find the best microphone that doesn't pickup white noise or hissing sound😭😭😭
i love this mic because of Scary Pockets
I came to this review because of Scary Pockets. Rare I see a mic in a music video that I don't recognize. Luckily Scary Pockets always tells you what gear they used.
The question I have is whether it's worth $1200. The Beyerdynamic sounded good on your voice, too -- and the MXL for the price was no slouch.
wow! I think I should rethink having a condenser microphone.
sounds really close to the earthworks icon pro. its just a liiiiittle too rich / muddy sounding for me but that could be a pure preference thing.
I love ribbon microphone too.
dammmm that sound amazing. for 1200 that need shock mount arm wind screen. electric is nice i love the acoustics i could hear even the fingers moving. i working hard to get the SM7b and gear. i think that will be out of my reach, But... wow. that sound nice
Great stuff. But still waiting for the Earthworks Icon (No-Pro). We know you’re hiding it in the beanie pocket 🧐
Please I need video for usb sound adapter but used dynamic microphone
Why havnt you reviewed the rode k2?
KU5A is freaking awesome
Agreed, it's a really unique and special mic. Thanks for sharing your thoughts on it.
Just wow
Love this mic. Only m160 can fight for my heart with it.
P.S. I hate sm7b
Not sure if you have done this in a previous video buuuuuut, can you throw the box at the camera next video :)
Far out, I guess AEA is going to do every model RCA ever made. The active part is great because you don't need an expensive preamp for it. Talk about bass wow, if you want that FM radio DJ "voice of god" sound THIS is the mic for you. The pattern is tight also, off axis rejection is fantastic.
ku5a and 160 are both exciting...
I usually never comment on these but .. oh boy did the KU5a sound fantastic! The Beyer also sounded good but both are still out of my budget :(
So this KU5a mic is about the same price as the TLM 103 mic. Which one to buy?
Two very different types of mics, and therefore two very different sounds that can’t be compared. If you want a bright modern sound get the 103. If you want a lush warm vintage sound, get the KU5A. Personally for all around usage in music I’d get the KU5A because I like that lush smooth tone that it has, but for a clean modern VO sound I’d take a 103.
I own both. If I were to only have one it'd be the 103, but I'd hate to have to make that decision and they are WAY different from each other. IMO the 103 is just more versatile. The EQ adjustments you'll make with the 103 are typically cutting, where the KU5A are boosting. Having said all that, the KU5A is the PERFECT mic for some things whereas I've never felt the 103 ever is. Where the 103 shines is that it's almost the perfect mic for everything and for that reason it's more versatile.
Do you like rejection from the rear?
This is a trick question.