The RCA BK-5B, factory designation MI-11010-A, is one of RCA’s most widely used compact broadcast ribbon microphones. Developed in the post-war era, it was designed to deliver the classic RCA ribbon sound in a smaller, more practical form factor than the larger 44-series microphones.
Distributed through RCA Broadcast Sales, the BK-5B became a standard in radio stations, announcing booths, and institutional installations. Because these institutions may have had many microphones, often they did not keep a manual for each unit. That makes ownership of a digital remastered copy of one of these manuals even more essential.
The BK-5B is a passive ribbon (velocity) microphone engineered for clear, natural voice reproduction with the smooth tonal character RCA was known for. Its smaller size made it especially useful where space was limited, while still maintaining the warmth and smoothness associated with RCA ribbon microphones.
Why a Digitally Remastered Manual Is Valuable: Original RCA BK-series manuals from the late 1940s–1950s period are often:
Reliable reference material for servicing and integration.
The time-consuming remastering process involves carefully scanning the original manual and spending hours processing each page to produce a manual that looks better-than-new. All photos are stripped out and processed separately. All tears, marks, stains, etc. are removed from the original manual, even printing defects were corrected. The text is brought back to original sharpness and detail, as are all of the illustrations.
We use heavy stock matte or premium glossy photo paper for the front and back covers, and heavy paper for the inside pages. The outside covers are protected by 10 mil thick, clear plastic sheets. It is then bound with plastic ring comb binding so the manual will open flat and be very durable.
We combine shipping to save you money. Our preferred method is USPS Priority Flat Rate Padded Envelope. Our international sales are handled through eBAY and they instruct us where to ship the merchandise for processing to your country. If you wish another method of shipping or want to make sure the shipping price is accurate, please contact us. Our standard policy will be to refund any excess shipping that eBay's calculator may charge over a modest handling fee for your entire purchase.
REVIEWS: "Absolutely gorgeous item." "Super Professional Work." "America Needs More Like You!":
Please see our store for other items you may want. We have produced:
Protective Covers: For both a desk stand and boom mic. Models 74, 77, 44 + Western Electric 639A/B
Manuals (digitally restored) ** see list below**
Supplements (remastered articles & info for the avid RCA fan)
Artwork - digitally restored advertisements AND a unique commissioned 44/77 microphone print
T-Shirts - unique graphic artist design onto high quality 100% cotton material that lasts for years
Other logo'd special items.
RCAmic.com Digitally Remastered Manuals: BK-1A; BK-4A; BK-5A; BK-5B; BK-6B; BK-11 (BOTH VERSIONS); SK-46; SK-50; PB-144; AEROPRESSURE; VARACOUSTIC (6204, 6204); 1933 JR VELOCITY; 44-A; 44-B; 44BX-(-B, -D); 44BX-G, 44BX-(-H, -J, -K, -L); 50A; 74-A JR VELOCITY; 74-B 1937 jr VELOCITY) ; 77-B1; 77-D; 77-DX; 88A. We also have digitally remastered the manual for the Western Electric / Altec the 618 and a separate manual for the 639A/639B.