Cloud 44-A Active Ribbon Microphone

From direct RCA lineage, the Cloud 44-A microphone reawakens the spirit of the classic RCA Type 44 ribbon mic for today’s applications. Internally within the Cloud 44-A, the ribbon itself remains unchanged, handcrafted to exact specifications first prescribed in the 1930s by RCA’s Harry F. Olson. Everything else has been engineered anew, however, using 21st century improvements transcending the capabilities of Olson’s time. Utilizing Cloud’s award-winning, patent pending “Cloudlifter” circuitry with its unique features and ultra-clean characteristics, the 44-A is an active ribbon mic with personality from the past, plus all the strength and clarity required for today’s most demanding tasks.

Voice or Music?
The Cloud 44-A is the first and only active ribbon microphone with switchable Voice/Music response curves, reminiscent of the early RCA mics, for controlling proximity effect. The patent pending technology, a switchable interface that provides dual frequency response voicing in an active ribbon microphone, is very useful in a wide variety of scenarios. Voiceover artists and singers can use the “Voice” setting to instantly reduce the large bass proximity effect associated with being close to the microphone. The “voice” position can also be useful for reducing intense low frequencies when using the mic to capture an instrument at close range, or where they may be rumble or vibration noise present. Of course, some vocalists may prefer the larger bass response at close proximity. The microphone’s switchable interface affords the user two distinct voices, inviting the special sound of a ribbon microphone to be used on a variety of new sources that may not have otherwise been plausible due to proximity effect.

The Cloud 44-A requires phantom power and has an output level compatible with virtually any modern preamp. Included is a microfiber mic cover designed to properly store and clean the microphone.