AEA R44 Series & RCA 44 Bag — a grey twill zippered slipcover with AEA logo silkscreen for AEA R44 series, KU4, and original RCA 44 microphones, protecting the ribbon element from tramp iron and air blasts while the microphone remains on the stand between takes and sessions.
The slipcover bag serves a different function from the 44VC transport case. Where the case protects the microphone during transport and long-term storage off-site, the bag goes over the microphone while it is mounted on the stand in the studio — whenever the R44 or RCA 44 is not actively in use. Grey twill fabric blocks two primary environmental threats to the ribbon element: air movement caused by people moving through the room, and ferromagnetic particles (tramp iron) drawn by the neodymium magnets toward the magnetic gap inside the microphone.
On-Stand Protection — a Practical Necessity
The magnets in the R44 and RCA 44 generate a powerful magnetic field that actively attracts fine iron particles present in every studio environment — from walls, floors, cables, and lighting fixtures. Over years of use without a slipcover, tramp iron accumulates in the magnetic gap, contacts the aluminium ribbon, and causes distortion, electrical shorts, or physical ribbon damage. A bag slipped over the microphone every time it is not recording dramatically extends the interval between ribbon service appointments. For owners of original RCA 44 microphones without convenient access to AEA's service facility, this simple protection can determine the instrument's condition over the next several decades. The bag is large enough to cover the microphone with a broadcast station flag attached, as noted by working engineers.
Standard Equipment with R44 and KU4
The AEA R44 Cloth Zipper Bag ships as part of the standard kit with every new R44C, R44CX, R44CE, and R44CXE — alongside the 44VC vertical transport case and microphone cable. The two protective elements serve separate roles: the 44VC handles transport, the bag handles studio storage on stand. Owners of original RCA 44 microphones without an original slipcover can order the AEA Bag separately — the same grey twill construction as supplied with new microphones, with AEA logo rather than RCA.
KEY FEATURES
- Twill fabric with zipper — sealed closure blocks airflow and tramp iron access to the magnetic gap during on-stand storage.
- Between-take on-stand protection — slipped over the microphone whenever it is mounted but not actively recording.
- AEA logo silkscreen — grey twill with printed AEA branding.
- Compatibility: AEA R44C, R44CX, R44CE, R44CXE, KU4 and original RCA 44A, 44B, 44BX.
- Standard factory inclusion — ships with every new AEA R44 and KU4 microphone.
TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS
- Type: Cloth zipper slipcover bag
- Material: Grey twill fabric with AEA logo silkscreen
- Closure: Zipper
- Application: On-stand microphone storage between sessions (does not replace the transport case)
- Compatibility: AEA R44C, R44CX, R44CE, R44CXE, KU4 and RCA 44A, 44B, 44BX
- Standard inclusion: Ships with every new AEA R44 and KU4
- Country of manufacture: USA (Pasadena, CA)
