[Tommi]

Hi all,

I thought it would be a good time to invest in a decent all-round condenser
microphone. Since the Neumann stuff is out of my price range currently, I've
leaned towards the Audio Technica 40xx -series. From what I've heard, many
people seem to be happy with them..!

Basically I'm considering something like the AT-4033, 4040 or 4050. Which
one do you recommend I should try first? The 4040 is very attractively
priced, so the first thing that springs to my mind is: what kind of
differences are there between the 4040 and 4050?

Anyone compared the 4033 to those two? On the AT website there's not much
information about these mics' application purposes, and since I'm looking
for an all-rounder (well, vocals and acoustic guitar are maybe somewhat
prioritized), this makes it difficult to decide.

Thanks, as always.

[Ty Ford]

On Wed, 8 Nov 2006 06:01:44 -0500, Tommi wrote
(in article ) :

Hi all,

I thought it would be a good time to invest in a decent all-round condenser
microphone. Since the Neumann stuff is out of my price range currently, I've
leaned towards the Audio Technica 40xx -series. From what I've heard, many
people seem to be happy with them..!

Basically I'm considering something like the AT-4033, 4040 or 4050. Which
one do you recommend I should try first? The 4040 is very attractively
priced, so the first thing that springs to my mind is: what kind of
differences are there between the 4040 and 4050?

Anyone compared the 4033 to those two? On the AT website there's not much
information about these mics' application purposes, and since I'm looking
for an all-rounder (well, vocals and acoustic guitar are maybe somewhat
prioritized), this makes it difficult to decide.

Thanks, as always.



The 4050 will give you the most flexibility due to its three patterns. I have
reviews of it and others on my site. Help yourself.

Regards,

Ty Ford


-- Ty Ford's equipment reviews, audio samples, rates and other audiocentric
stuff are at www.tyford.com

[Scott Dorsey]

Tommi wrote:

Anyone compared the 4033 to those two? On the AT website there's not much
information about these mics' application purposes, and since I'm looking
for an all-rounder (well, vocals and acoustic guitar are maybe somewhat
prioritized), this makes it difficult to decide.

I have not, but I will say the top end on the 4051 is far, far cleaner
than the 4033.
--scott

--
"C'est un Nagra. C'est suisse, et tres, tres precis."

[J.D. Justice]

hello Tommi. if i were you i would also consider the AT-4047/SV which
is great on vocals and kick drum especially but shines on most every
application. they are a steal at $550 USD and you really should hear
one before you commit to any certain mic. i like the 4047/SV over any
other microphone under $1000 USD. JMHO, of course.

cheers
J.D.


Tommi wrote:
Hi all,

I thought it would be a good time to invest in a decent all-round condenser
microphone. Since the Neumann stuff is out of my price range currently, I've
leaned towards the Audio Technica 40xx -series. From what I've heard, many
people seem to be happy with them..!

Basically I'm considering something like the AT-4033, 4040 or 4050. Which
one do you recommend I should try first? The 4040 is very attractively
priced, so the first thing that springs to my mind is: what kind of
differences are there between the 4040 and 4050?

Anyone compared the 4033 to those two? On the AT website there's not much
information about these mics' application purposes, and since I'm looking
for an all-rounder (well, vocals and acoustic guitar are maybe somewhat
prioritized), this makes it difficult to decide.

Thanks, as always.

[Scott Dorsey]

J.D. Justice wrote:
hello Tommi. if i were you i would also consider the AT-4047/SV which
is great on vocals and kick drum especially but shines on most every
application. they are a steal at $550 USD and you really should hear
one before you commit to any certain mic. i like the 4047/SV over any
other microphone under $1000 USD. JMHO, of course.

The 4047 is phenomenally peaky on the top end, which might be a thing you
will like on vocals. The low end changes a lot as you move off-axis, which
can be useful too because moving the vocalist off-axis can get you a wide
variety of different sounds.

But it's WAY too colored for me to consider it an "all-round" microphone,
and the off-axis wackiness makes it impossible to use as an ambient mike.
--scott


--
"C'est un Nagra. C'est suisse, et tres, tres precis."

[[email protected]]

Take a listen to the 3060 while you're at it. The 4050 is a good all
around microphone that doesn't suck.


Tommi wrote:
Hi all,

I thought it would be a good time to invest in a decent all-round condenser
microphone. Since the Neumann stuff is out of my price range currently, I've
leaned towards the Audio Technica 40xx -series. From what I've heard, many
people seem to be happy with them..!

Basically I'm considering something like the AT-4033, 4040 or 4050. Which
one do you recommend I should try first? The 4040 is very attractively
priced, so the first thing that springs to my mind is: what kind of
differences are there between the 4040 and 4050?

Anyone compared the 4033 to those two? On the AT website there's not much
information about these mics' application purposes, and since I'm looking
for an all-rounder (well, vocals and acoustic guitar are maybe somewhat
prioritized), this makes it difficult to decide.

Thanks, as always.

[Fletch]

Tommi wrote:
Hi all,

I thought it would be a good time to invest in a decent all-round condenser
microphone. Since the Neumann stuff is out of my price range currently, I've
leaned towards the Audio Technica 40xx -series. From what I've heard, many
people seem to be happy with them..!

Basically I'm considering something like the AT-4033, 4040 or 4050. Which
one do you recommend I should try first? The 4040 is very attractively
priced, so the first thing that springs to my mind is: what kind of
differences are there between the 4040 and 4050?

Anyone compared the 4033 to those two? On the AT website there's not much
information about these mics' application purposes, and since I'm looking
for an all-rounder (well, vocals and acoustic guitar are maybe somewhat
prioritized), this makes it difficult to decide.

Thanks, as always.

The 4050 is the one you want. I have a 4040, which is cardioid only. I
have two 4050's for various reasons, such as stereo and m-s recording.
They are great microphones. And when you put them through a good tube
pre, well, they become something altogether different (not better,
necessarily, but very nice indeed).

I have used the 4050 on guitar, both electric and acoustic, vocals,
both male and female, "Bluegrass" configuration, which is one mic
covering multiple instruments (players required to create balance
there), and it sounds good on many other applications, too.

--Fletch

[rickymix]

I've been using the Audio Technica AE5400 in my travels, at Ty's
recommendation, and he's right, it's great! I think it's basically a
4040 in a different shaped package, correct me if that's inaccurate,
Ty. It looks like a handheld dynamic mic, but is actually condenser
with the diaphram and guts of a 4040. Cardioid only, but it does have
a pad and roll-off, and sounds great on male & female vox, guitar and
uke. And dig this; it's only @US $250!
Even for non-travelers, the price difference should make it worth
checking out.
Cheers, Rick.

[Ty Ford]

On Wed, 8 Nov 2006 19:16:21 -0500, rickymix wrote
(in article .com):

I've been using the Audio Technica AE5400 in my travels, at Ty's
recommendation, and he's right, it's great! I think it's basically a
4040 in a different shaped package, correct me if that's inaccurate,
Ty. It looks like a handheld dynamic mic, but is actually condenser
with the diaphram and guts of a 4040. Cardioid only, but it does have
a pad and roll-off, and sounds great on male & female vox, guitar and
uke. And dig this; it's only @US $250!
Even for non-travelers, the price difference should make it worth
checking out.
Cheers, Rick.


Hi Rick,

They told me it was half of a 4050 capsule.

Not as tight as a KMS 105, but you can eat the AE5400 if you use the hi pass
filter.

The 4050, though, and its three patterns is VERY handy. Put it in omni and
cooch it up to an acoustic guitar. Put it in figure of eight in a nice room
and do vocals. Put it in cardioid and out it on amps, drum overheads, vocals,
pretty much anything.

Regards,

Ty

-- Ty Ford's equipment reviews, audio samples, rates and other audiocentric
stuff are at www.tyford.com

[Fletch]

rickymix wrote:
I've been using the Audio Technica AE5400 in my travels, at Ty's
recommendation, and he's right, it's great! I think it's basically a
4040 in a different shaped package, correct me if that's inaccurate,
Ty. It looks like a handheld dynamic mic, but is actually condenser
with the diaphram and guts of a 4040. Cardioid only, but it does have
a pad and roll-off, and sounds great on male & female vox, guitar and
uke. And dig this; it's only @US $250!
Even for non-travelers, the price difference should make it worth
checking out.
Cheers, Rick.

We use the AE5400 on stage for vocals and they are great. The element
is supposed to be from the 4050, though, not the 4040.

--Fletch