AT 4033 or AT 4050 or TLM 103???

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sotho

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AT 4033 or AT 4050 or TLM 103 or KSM-44???

guys do u have some inputs on these mics... i'm planning to buy one of these mic for my main mic (mainly for vocal, guitar, acoustic guitar, and all other thing that u can mic with a mic!!! But MAINLY for vocal... and for ur information it will be to record in a VS 2480) The neumann is very expensive and what turn off is that it doesn't have a roll off and a pad does the capsule is a lot better then the AT4050 and the AT4033 for justify the double of the price... :-( The AT 4033 seem to be a cool cardiod mic without a boost in the high frequency like 10-12khz.. :-) The 4050 have a little boost int he high but u have 3 polar pattern (omni, cardiod, 8 figure) and i have e-mail audio technica and they respond to me that the capsule of the 4050 was better overall and less noisy then the 4033....... And for the KSM 44 i have read some reviews that is pratically the same mic then the 4050 with extra like the road case, better shockmount....

so i stand ur inputs before buying!!!

thanks a lot guys!
 
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The 4033 seems to be one of everybody's favorite mic around here. I think it's an ok mic. Of the four, I have the 4033 and the TLM 103. To my taste I prefer the TLM103 on most things (at least, things that don't need a pad or a bass roll-off!). I find the upper midrange of the TLM103 a little prettier than the 4033, but I might be in the minority here, so take my opinion for the little it's worth.

Ideally, you should try and get a hold of these mics and do a test recording with them on your voice (or whoever you tend to record) and judge for yourself.

Last time I looked, the TLM 103 could be found for around $600. Does that mean that the 4050 and KSM44 are only $300 now? We truly live in wonderful times! Seems like not long ago the cheapest large diaphragm condenser was the 414b/uls for about $1000!
 
the ksm44 is 600
the 4050 is 449-499

the 4040 is 299.. the 4040 really is the 4033 but its even cleaner... i like the tlm103, but i like AT's mics now. they're great mics and they don't have huge price tags..
 
ok but do i have to spend the extra money to get a tlm-103???
 
For your first condenser I'd go w/ a 4033 or a C1. Both great mics. I wouldn't bother w/ the 103. With what's available now, the 103 is pretty expensive on the price vs performance ladder. There's probably a good 10 less expensive mics I'd pick over the 103.
 
TLM103 is a great mic. Much better than the ATs listed here. You can realy tell the difference in the upper range.
 
u have check the difference between the AT 4050 and the tlm 103?
 
If, as you stated, your main applications are vocals and guitar, I would go for the 4050. The 103 is not a mic i'd ever choose for vocals, it would be rather dull.
Apart from that, you'd have more flexibility with the AT's patterns.
 
We've got a good number of Neumanns here, from vintage to modified 87's, 89i's, KM54's and i84's etc. I have had a 103 on trial from the Neumann rep. Its a good mic, no question about that, but I wouldn't say its 'special'.
If I had to do vocals or acoustic guitar and had to choose between a 4050 or a 103, I would prefer the 4050.
 
so the 4050 is better then the TLM 103? considering the lot of money that u have to spend more on the tlm 103 then the 4050!
 
I didn't say the TLM 103 is better or worse - its a different microphone than the 4050.

The 103 is a very good mic, especially for the money.
However - it has some characteristics which I regard as a hinderance for "home use".

- The 103 is very sensitive in its low end, its extended range captures everything. Meaning that, unless you are in a soundproofed acoustical environment - and also in a building that does not transmit low frequency vibrations, you mic wil capture a hell-uva-lot of low frequency rumble. The 103 does not have a roll-off, so it would be adviseable for you to have some kind of roll-off in the chain to your recording media.

- For the same reason as described above, you NEED a suspension mount with a 103. They are expensive.

- The 103 is a cardiod pattern only.

Non of the above would make it a lesser mic, its a very good mic for certain applications. What I would take issue with is Neumann's marketing strategy of "made for home and semi-pro applications", which I believe is ill-advised.

The 4050 on the other hand offers a low cut, a 10dB pad, and three different patterns. If this is to be your main mic, you will find it to be many times more versatile and under your circumstances you will be able to do much more with it, and achieve better results.
 
ok! the suspension of the neumann (AE-1) is better then the suspension of the AT 4050???
 
Nope, they are both good - the only difference is that it is included in the price of the 4050, and costs about 160 bucks extra for the 103 (and you cannot do without one)
 
you can get a universal shockmount for the Neumann from Musician's advocate for about $30. However, I use mine for vocals without a shockmount, and have not had problems. Bass roll-off is pretty easy to achieve later in the chain - I don't think this is a compelling reason to go for the AT 4050.

As far as polar patterns - you'll find yourself using the cardiod pattern in almost all applications. Omni is sometimes usefull.

In my opinion, if you get the 4050 over the Neumann for polar patterns, you are losing quality for a flexibility you won't realy use much. For the price, the Neumann is one of the best around. I don't think you can get a 'better' mic for less.
 
where is ur deal on neumann universal shockmount at 30$ at Musician's advocate ..... i've check the website and found nothing.... :-(
 
tlm vs the other one

Listen to them both before buying them. That is the only way to really decide.
 
i would wondering to do so.... but i can't.... this is why i'm doing a thread here!!!
 
sotho said:
where is ur deal on neumann universal shockmount at 30$ at Musician's advocate ..... i've check the website and found nothing.... :-(
Click to expand...
Call them and ask about it. You'll also get a good price there on mics.
 
thanks bdemenil i will check it out! and by the way do they ship in canada??
 
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