Blue Bluebird vs AT2041SP

[drewrussell2011]

Hey Everyone,

I am planning on doing a little home studio upgrade this week, consisting of a headphone amp, a new set of headphones, stands, pop filters, etc. Also, I'm planning on purchasing a new mic. I have narrowed my choices down to either a Blue Bluebird or Audio Technica AT2041SP.

The mics will be running to a Behringer Xenyx 802 mixer and a Behringer FCA202 Firewire Interface. I already own 2 SM57's, an SM58, and a Behringer C1 condenser, but I'm looking for a little more of a professional mic.

Which of the two mics above seem to fit the bill best? The AT2041 includes both the AT2020 and the 2021, so I may get more versatility out of it, but I'm not sure of the quality vs the Bluebird.

Please help. Haha

Thanks!

 

[moresound]

If it were me I would go with the blue ...but that's just me.

 

[Saxmeister]

The 2041SP is a two pack kit which includes an AT2020 and an AT2021, so you would actually get two mics with completely different purposes in a single kit for less than the Bluebird. I think the Bluebird excels in sound quality over the 2020 and is a quieter mic, but the 2041SP kit give you two mics with two different options. So, whichever you could use more of... sound quality, or different and multiple mics.

 

[matttheaxe]

The AT 2000 series is not as good as the 3000 or 4000.
My Bluebird blows my AT 3035 (3000 series) away. I doubt that the one you are looking at is worth it. That Bluebird is extremely versitile.

 

[moresound]

Or you could look on ebay for used and get all of the above!

 

[Richard Monroe]

My Bluebird is a pretty good clean mic.. No high-mid vocal hype. I find uses for it in a cabinet with a fair amount of mics. It is particularly good on voiceovers. Does it sound like a U87? No. But at it's price point, you could do a lot worse.-Richie

 

[stevieb]

The AT 2000 series is not as good as the 3000 or 4000.
My Bluebird blows my AT 3035 (3000 series) away. I doubt that the one you are looking at is worth it. That Bluebird is extremely versitile.

May have been unitentional, Matt, but that sorta implies that the BB is better than the AT40-series mics. Like you, I can only see part of the elephant- I have a 4030 and a 4043a (or something close, can't recall at the mo) and have never used a Bluebird. But, I can tell you, the 40-series mic's kick ARSE. (why is it okay to say "arse" and everybody knows you mean "ass," but it's not okay to say "ass?")

 

[moresound]

May have been unitentional, Matt, but that sorta implies that the BB is better than the AT40-series mics. Like you, I can only see part of the elephant- I have a 4030 and a 4043a (or something close, can't recall at the mo) and have never used a Bluebird. But, I can tell you, the 40-series mic's kick ARSE. (why is it okay to say "arse" and everybody knows you mean "ass," but it's not okay to say "ass?")

ass

 

[moresound]

works for me.

 

[kidvybes]

...read this:
https://homerecording.com/bbs/showthread.php?t=308146
...and this:
http://www.gearslutz.com/board/low-end-theory/519859-mxl-2003a.html
...then, buy this ($169):
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/423736-REG/MXL_PRO_PAC_PLUS_Pro_Pac_Plus.html

...don't let the MXL brand throw you...the new 2003A is a steal!...much better than the overly bright, scooped mids Bluebird...here's a recent comment by respected mic modder Michael Joly, comparing the Bluebird to the revised MXL 2003A:
"In their stock form the Bluebird has a huge proximity effect, midrange scoop and typical 8khz peak from the K67-type capsule / flat response circuit. The 2003A on the other hand has a usable proximity effect but the correct internal HF de-emphasis so it approximates the U 87 timbre balance its K67-type capsule should deliver."

and the AT2020?...that's not a step up...