Can anyone speak on the differences between the A440 and the 44CX?
Pros/cons...if any.

I forgot about this thread, but they are quite similar. From an acoustical/ribbon motor standpoint they are exactly the same. Same magnets, grills, ribbon, etc etc. After that they are completely different. The CX goes from the ribbon to a Cinemag transformer then out, completely passive. The A440 has the Fred Forssell designed circuitry with a Lundahl transformer. That combination kick the gain way up and changes the character of the mic. I have just started doing some AB tests with 44s.(see attachment) So far I only did acoustic guitar, but as the opportunities arise I plan on doing some more. The A440 just kills. Something in the low end just makes it sound magical.
The A440 to me sounded more like the original BX. The whole phantom power can hurt ribbon mic thing is another bonus, since the A440 requires P48 you will not damage the mic. If you happen to read somewhere that it can't hurt a passive ribbon or see any crappy videos of how P48 is safe with a ribbon mic, just try to ignore it.

paul

That is one slutty picture.
Would a 44CX through the TRP (Fred Forssell design) sound remarkably different from the A440 or is the A440 perhaps just more accommodating due to it's being active?

i Have yet to do a shootout or really do a comparison of the 44CX TRP/ A440 RPQ. But Ill add it to my list. That said I have used a CX with the TRP and it is really nice. I don't think there is anything bad I could say about that combo. One of the features I love in the RPQ though is the variable low filter. I don't really like HP filters under certain situations. I find that on a Upright bass i want to tame the lows a little, but wouldn't want the HPF on the TRP. Ideally I would just back off the mic, but I have been doing live stuff close to the drums and needed to be tight in on the bass.

Does that help?

Paul

Thank you Paul. So in terms of sound, do you like the A440 more than the R44 variants?

Hello from 2009!! It’s still hard to say. 95 percent of the time I am using a 44 though an AEA RPQ. The 440 and TRP/RPQ circuit has changed slightly over the years, but in combination still sound very similar to me when comparing a passive R44 to the 440. A comparison on a different preamp I think would show some differences. What preamp are you using or thinking about?

I have an AEA R84, an RCA 77DX (rebuilt some years ago by Clarence Kane) and a one-off Cloud JRS 34 Active.

I consulted with Rodger when it first came out. They were using alnico magnets, so the sensitivity was low. I suggested neodymium. Royer had gone to neodymium, so they did as well. Sensitivity was still low, requiring a lot of preamp gain.

I suggested doubling the magnets. They sent me a prototype. Better sensitivity, but not quite there. I suggested triple. Audio-Technica had put out the AT4080 active ribbon mic and it was as sensitive as an AKG C414 condenser mic.

Rodger sent me a triple mag prototype and I liked it a lot. They decided not to go with triple, but gave me the prototype as "payment" for my consulting services. I don't know if they ever went triple after that.

I have a client who records vocals into Logic Pro with a Cloud. He brings the sessions to me to mix and edit. I found tilting the EQ with a parametric plugin worked nicely to rebalance the vocals for the indie-rock material.

This thread reminds me that I should pull the 3X prototype out and plug it in. Thanks!

Thank you again Paul for the response. I'm thinking eventually Gordon Model 61 + Pueblo JR2/2+ + Thermionic Culture Rooster 2 preamps.