Audio Technica AT4040

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picostudios

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I just got this mic in the mail. It is AMAZING. It was worth every penny. Good clean sound, it picks up everything.
 
picostudios,

Great mic, I don't know why, but it is one of the most underated mics out there. One of my favorites for OH's and acoustic's, great on some vocals too. Congratulations !

Paul Robison

TFPro USA
 
in my opinion, the at4040 is a quality mic that surpasses any other large condenser in its price segment ($300 street and less).

congrats on the purchase.
 
Yeah, the 4040 is going to be my next buy ... either that or the Baby Bottle!
 
Lanstar0 said:
Yeah, the 4040 is going to be my next buy ... either that or the Baby Bottle!
Click to expand...

the baby bottle is very nice as well. they are kind of similar. they are both hotter mics. the baby bottle is hotter. the at4040 has more high and mid range presence without being shrill or grating.
 
The 4041 a small diaphragm condenser from the same family which works quite well with a LD microphone for recording acoustic guitar.
 
They keep good company

We just delivered some preamps to a premiere facility here in Atlanta to help with an on location recording of Orchestra Atlanta this weekend. When we got to talking about how many tracks and what mics, Bill started going down the list and was almost embarrassed when he came to a pair of AT4040’s!!! He didn’t have to sell me it is a great mic. They are not on this list because they only cost around $300.
Mic list:
Neumann M150 (3) - large diaphragm tube condenser
Neumann M149 (2) - large diaphragm tube condenser
Neumann U67 (2) - vintage large diaphragm tube condenser
Neumann U87 (2) - large diaphragm condenser
Neumann KM84 (3) - condenser
Neumann KM184 (3) - condenser
Audio-Technica AT4040 (4) - large diaphragm condenser
Audio-Technica AT4047 - large diaphragm condenser
Audio-Technica Pro37R (2) - condenser
RCA 77DX (4) - vintage multi-pattern ribbon
RCA 74B (2) - vintage ribbon
RCA 44BX - vintage ribbon
AKG 414B (2) - large diaphragm condenser
AKG 460B (3) - condenser
B&K / DPA 4006 (4) - condenser
Calrec CM1050 (2) - condenser
Beyer MC740N - large diaphragm condenser
Electro-Voice PL20 - dynamic
Sennheiser MD421 (3) - dynamic
Shure SM81 (2) - condenser
Shure SM7 - dynamic
Shure SM57 (5) - dynamic
Shure SM58 - dynamic
 
Has anyone compared these to the CAD M179s. I am really on the fence between the two (AT4040 and M179). I like the idea of the flexibility of the CADs, but I can't find much info on them.
 
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I actually think the CAD's might compare pretty well. My Audio Technicas see more action overall, but that's not to say I would be disapointed if all I had to work with was the CAD.

I tend to favor the CAD on things with a lot of bass -- they just seem to do a particularly good job on kick drum (or in a kick drum tunnel), on an upright bass, or a bass guitar amp. Audio Technica mics, on the other hand, seem to own the midrange -- think guitar amps, vocals, etc.
 
bubbagump,
Ask Warren Dent at Frontendaudo, He has used both, he hangs out here as Warhead.
 
I own both mics. They are of very comparable quality. The 4040 is more forward and thicker in the midrange. The m179 sits back a little. I think the CAD sounds a little smoother but the AT has a higher output. Then again, the CAD is multipattern and that can be handy. The AT fit and finish are better (impeccible in fact). The bass cut-off is lower but steeper on the AT (80 Hz 12 bd/octave vs. 100 Hz 6 db/octave.). Noise is the same (ie. there's virtually none). The v67 I own is noticeably noisy compared to these two mics.

When I originally ordered the AT4040 I was worried it would sound too similar to the M179 but when it arrived and I plugged it in, I was thrilled to discover the mics do sound different.

If you go to the AT website and read the review by Mitch Gallagher that ran in EQ, you will find -- surprisingly -- that his assessment is quite accurate. I tend to be a little skeptical of reviews in EQ but I only read this one after having tried out the 4040 and thought to myself ... hmmm he got it right.

The short story ... get either one. Then save up and get the other one, too. They're both handy and very good mics -- and I don't mean "for the money", either. We are lucky to be alive right now when you can pay so little for such quality.

If you want, I can post some level-matched clips for you, sometime.
 
Yes Kelly, I too would be very interested to hear a clip. (Might make my decision a bit easier. :) )
 
I would love to hear a clip also. I am thinking of getting one.
Its al about bringing back the old threads!
 
This thread pleases me --- just bought a 4040 last night on ebay -- got a great price!!!
 
Don't want to spam and I'm unsure of the rules, but:

I'll do a new 4040 for less than the street price.

Thanks

p.s. mods please delete this if it's considered spam!
 
Tremblaj,
Got it on ebay from a guy selling off home studio stuff, said it was eight months old just came in and works great. Got if for $150 and just four bucks shipping, I remain very pleased!!!
 
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