AEA R44CE

Wes Dooley announced this mic at AES in 1998 after decades of servicing RCA 44s and manufacturing replacement parts for damaged 44s. The AEA 44C is nearly a part for part replica of the RCA 44, with a handful of modernizations, such as neodymium magnets, a 1:28 Cinemag transformer (rather than 1:32), resonator screens, and the BBC wiring mod to reduce hum.

There are five standard versions (and multiple special edition versions) of the AEA 44;

• The 44C (an evolution of the iconic RCA 44BX)

• The 44CE (economical version of the 44C, using a more affordable yolk and cushion mount)

• The 44CX (high output version of the 44C, utilizing 2 additional neodymium magnets for an extra 6dB of output)

• The 44CXE (economical version of the 44CX)

• The A440 (flagship, active CX with custom Lehle 1:110 transformer and Fred Forssell designed buffer amp)

Thanks to Joey Krieger and Paul Pegas at AEA for additional information.

• Operating Principle: Pressure gradient transducer
• Directional Pattern: Bidirectional
• Frequency Range: <20 Hz to >20 kHz
• Maximum SPL: 165+ dB SPL (1% third harmonic > 1kHz)
• Sensitivity (R44C/CE): 2.25 mV/Pa (-53 dBV) into loaded circuit
• Sensitivity (R44CX/CXE): 4.47 mV/Pa (-47 dBV) into loaded circuit
• Output Impedance: 270 Ω broadband
• Load Impedance: 1.2 kΩ or greater
• Phantom Power: Not required or recommended
• Polarity: Pin 2 high for positive pressure on the front of microphone.

Read the AEA R44 manual.

The official AEA R44 website.

A review of the AEA R44CE at Tape Op magazine

A review of the AEA R44C at Sound On Sound Magazine