Kerwax Melodium 42BN

Kerwax Melodium 42BN is a large figure-8 ribbon microphone, a modern continuation of the historic Melodium 42B originally designed in early-1940s Paris by Charles Boutelleau and Émile Furn. In an independent test, Sound on Sound called it the largest ribbon microphone ever made. It's also the most expensive and best-known model in Kerwax's microphone lineup.

The same build Paris studios used in the 1940s

A purely passive 2.5-micron aluminium ribbon runs inside a closed magnetic circuit with four AlNiCo 600 magnets rated at roughly 4400 gauss, a layout built to preserve a full, smooth response with no active electronics in the path. The microphone needs no phantom power and must never be run on +48V, which can damage the ribbon.

Craft over plastic

Production happens entirely in Brittany, France, with a stated plastic content under 1% and full material recyclability. The microphone ships in a beech wood case with a stand adapter and brass mount included, ready for vocals, acoustic instruments and room recording. In an independent lab test, Sound on Sound confirmed the microphone tracks the vintage original within under 1dB up to roughly 12kHz, with a steep top-end rolloff above that, typical of large ribbons from this era.

KEY FEATURES

• Figure-8 polar pattern
• Continuation of the historic 1940s Melodium 42B (Paris)
• Purely passive aluminium ribbon, 2.5 microns
• 4x AlNiCo 600 magnets in a closed magnetic circuit
• Male XLR-3 connector
• Wooden case, stand adapter and mount included
• Built in Brittany, under 1% plastic content
• No phantom power — never apply +48V

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS

• Polar pattern: figure-8
• Ribbon: aluminium, 2.5 microns
• Magnets: 4x AlNiCo 600, approx. 4400 gauss
• Output impedance: 300Ω (nominal)
• Connector: male XLR-3
• Dimensions: 320 x 140 x 50mm
• Weight: approx. 2.5-2.7kg (sources vary)
• Carrying case: 365 x 195 x 95mm, 1.2kg