Audio Technica 4033-4040 question

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zbert

zbert

In the swamps of Jersey
A friend has been lending me his AT4033. I think it's great on vocals and some other instruments I recorded. Now the 4033 has been replaced by the 4040. Anyone use both and what is the difference you hear. I see some old stock 4033's going for about the same as a new 4040.
Thanks
 
They sound somewhat similar, but they're completely different mics with different sized diaphragms and overall designs.

The 4040 is a true large-diaphragm condenser and it sounds like one.
 
The 4040 has that AT sound (nonedgy forward midrange). The dif is that the 4040 has more bottom and alot more air, like a traditional LDC (though nothing like the hyped mics from SP, marshall, etc). The genius of the 4033 is that it does not have the big bottom of many LDCs. And while the midrange pushes forward the top end is smooth. Its basically made for mixing. It sounds better in a mix than on its own.
I also got the impression that the 4040 might be slightly faster on transients. That could be bec of the brighter top end though. All in all a fine sounding mic. Theyre somewhat complementary.
 
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