20 years servicing ribbon microphones gave us a lot of insight into why RCA 44s are still in daily studio use. During the 1990s, 44 collectors made it difficult for even recording studios to acquire one. Reborn as the AEA R44, today you'll find engineer/producers such as Bruce Swedien, Kevin Bacon and Shawn Murphy using them around the world. Half the movies scored in Los Angeles now have at least one 44 on the scoring stage.
Documentation
"These are the best f#%*ing mics I've ever used!"
– Eddie Van Halen, Guitarist, Van Halen, Los Angeles
"They are BEYOND wonderful. I used them extensively on my recordings for the new Who record - on my vocals, acoustic guitars, mandolins, banjos, piano, string quartet (the stereo)...It is without question the best mike I have ever used. The best sound I've ever achieved without tweaking a single knob apart from mic gain. I feel as though I've gone back in time to a place where getting a sound was easy. It's almost impossible to make it sound bad!"
– Pete Townshend, The Who, London
"I've been thoroughly enjoying my R44CNE and use it on nearly ever project that comes through the door. It's got such a beautiful tone and, of course, it looks impressive, too!!!!!"
– Jory K. Prum, studio.jory.org, New York
