at 4040 confused!

[Golden]

I just picked up an AT 4040. Nice mic, however, I'm having some dificulty taming the low end. I'm getting real bassy vocals. I'm basically having to eq the low end right out, and I'm still stuggling with the low frequencies. Also, I'm using the low cut switch. Any suggestions?

 

[SRR]

How close is the singer to the mic? Back off from it 8-14inchs.

 

[kojdogg]

How close is the singer to the mic? Back off from it 8-14inchs.

yep-- sounds like you're having some proximity effect-related problems.

 

[Dogman]

I've noticed with mine, it has a great effect when close, and quiet, but once you get loud, it booms. I generally get about 1 ft back for most stuff...and I'm loud. I mean, I don't sing, I sort of just vocalize. Loudly. Some distance might help, as suggested. Turn the pre way down if close...see what happens. Turn it up, and move back. It will take some experimentation depending upon vocal style.

 

[Golden]

Thanks guys. I spent three hours trying to get a good vocal sound yesterday. Drove me insaine... Ok, back to the drawing board... It's a great sounding mic, though, eh?

 

[killmachine]

I use one for vocals. It's really not that tough. Some compression is good. You can always try multiple tracks for the vocal. If there's lots of volume changes. Yes distance makes a difference.

That mic will pick up everything within about a 30 ft radius especially with more gain applied. So make sure your in a good enviroment.

 

[Golden]

Indeed, my fault... I was attempting to record onto a 2-track reel to reel mixing deck. Not a good thing... Went back to my 8-track and the 4040 is fine. Nice mic!

 

[qb2k5]

I just picked up an AT 4040. Nice mic, however, I'm having some dificulty taming the low end. I'm getting real bassy vocals. I'm basically having to eq the low end right out, and I'm still stuggling with the low frequencies. Also, I'm using the low cut switch. Any suggestions?

I have the same problem as you. I made two threads about it. I have to eq the lower end eq to low. The At4040 is also a very sensitive mic.

 

[killmachine]

just a quick note about that mic, even with the shock mount and a decent boom stand, any movement on the floor will resonate through that mic. Also someone should have mentioned this including myself the low cut filter rolls off at 75hz and using that will clean it up alot.

 

[Golden]

On the bright side, I'm finding the 4040 to be a great bass-cab mic.

 

[chessrock]

It's okay not to like a particular microphone. Even if it is something that comes highly recommended.

Jesus, I can't tell you how much crap I've bought through the years that I tried out and wound up deciding it wasn't for me.

I have an idea for ya ... why don't you go down to the buy/sell forum at the bottom of the forum listing page, and see if anyone might be interested in swapping mics with you. If you're looking for something brighter or with less bass, there's plenty of 'em out there.
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[Golden]

It took some work, but I finally got a nice vocal out of the 4040. I'm rather pleased with the sound of the mic. I think I'll hang on to it...

That's a good idea chessrock... That "mic swap" idea might just come in handy, in the future.

 

[qb2k5]

It took some work, but I finally got a nice vocal out of the 4040. I'm rather pleased with the sound of the mic. I think I'll hang on to it...

That's a good idea chessrock... That "mic swap" idea might just come in handy, in the future.

Glad you enjoying it. Im enjoying also. Just still working on finding the right sweet spot with the eq.

 

[chessrock]

Just still working on inding the right sweet spot with the eq.

Well, if it's a matter of annunciation clarity, or air ... look at the frequency response, and notice the sizeable dips at 4 khz and 11 khz, as those might be some areas to try a boost.

If it's a matter of harshness or edginess ... then take note of the sizeable bump there between 6 and 7khz, as you might try cutting it there if you need to smooth it out a little.

http://www.audio-technica.com/cms/r...re/3439bae9566e8468/0345_0838_00_40series.pdf

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[Golden]

Sorry to bring this back from the dead, but I think I found a solution to the booming 4040... Maybe this might help someone else... Keep the input signal at a reasonable gain level... Too high = too boomy... I think?

 

[chessrock]

Sorry to bring this back from the dead, but I think I found a solution to the booming 4040... Maybe this might help someone else... Keep the input signal at a reasonable gain level... Too high = too boomy... I think?

That would indicate a serious problem with the mic pre ... if it's bass response changed significantly with the amount of gain. If your finding is accurate, then it's time to upgrade the mic pre.

.

 

[Golden]

That would indicate a serious problem with the mic pre ... if it's bass response changed significantly with the amount of gain. If your finding is accurate, then it's time to upgrade the mic pre.

.

Hmmm... Looking into the situation then... maybe I'm doing something wrong here... or not enough working with the mic... The pre seems fine, brand new MPA Gold... Anyway...

 

[rsolinski]

Vocals ARE eq'ed heavily in the 150 to 400 htz range...listen to any cd and say it ain't so...two other things to consider..If the mic is multi pattern try the omni mode which will eliminate any proximity effect...the other is more complicated and involves input impedance. I find most condensors are "happy" working into a higher input impedance (even higher than the manufacturer specs). My ksm44 has a much flatter response into a pre with about 3K of input impedance. Without the knowlege or ability to change the input termination of your pre's (it is easily done with a transformer balanced pre) I would say try a few different ones out with your mic.

Cheers,
Ray