Studio Projects b1 vs At4050

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xabbeyroadx

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I read an advertisement on EBAY claiming that these mics (Studio Projects b1 vs At4050) are basically the same... I found it hard to believe considering the prices are so different. Can anyone confirm/explain this?

On a second note, Ive been thinking about getting an AT4047. I really like the way they sound, but I was curious if there are any other mics that are equivalent to the AT4047 in quality but possibly cheaper?

Thank you!
 
You are correct in assuming these mics aren't the same, people say a lot of stuff on ebay to promote sales, come to think of it people say a lot of stuff everywhere to promote sales. 4047 is a great mic that gives a clean sample of whatever you put in it. 4033 and 4040 are nice that way as well
 
The B1 and 4050 aren't the same mic - and the 4050 is multi-pattern while the B1 is cardioid-only, but they're close in sound. They're both bright, neutral workhorse mics and work well on lots of apps.

The 4047 is a much smoother sounding mic than the 4033, 4040 or 4050. Less expensive alternatives to the 4047 that would be somewhat similar would be the MXL V69ME tube mic and the Oktava MK319.
 
Aside from the other AT mics Big Kenny listed, I would look at the Studio Projects C1 and C3, and possibly the TB1. You might also check out some of the MXL LDCs.

Now that I think about it, why does AT have so freaking many variations of their condenser mics?!? On top of looking almost identical and having VERY similar model numbers, they are often even the same prices!
 
I agree with Dot in the sense that they are both versatile, mostly neutral to somewhat bright workhorse condensers. And they both represent outstanding values for their respective price points.

The major difference between the two is that the B1 is more of a hobbyist / project studio tool, good for demos or semi-pro work . . . whereas the 4050 is more of a professional piece of equipment for more critical projects. One you would use to record rough demos . . . the other you would use to make Gold Records (with thee Bruce Dickinson).

Similar sound to the 4047, but cheaper? I can't think of any off the top of my head. Most of the cheaper condensers out there are Chinese u-87 wannabe's with way too much treble boost. The closest thing I can think of might actually be a good dynamic like the Shure SM-7. Maybe the Groove Tubes MD-1B FET.
 
chessrock said:
The major difference between the two is that the B1 is more of a hobbyist / project studio tool, good for demos or semi-pro work . . . whereas the 4050 is more of a professional piece of equipment for more critical projects. One you would use to record rough demos . . . the other you would use to make Gold Records (with thee Bruce Dickinson).
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Well I will have to take exception to this advice by Chessrock. Is this a fact the B1 can only be used for demoes, or is this just your opinion?

The 4050 may be more popular, and lord knows, the artist relation people at AT gave away several truck loads of free mikes to a lot of people, including Bruce. Either way that does not mean the B1 is left to do demos. Dan was correct, the 4050 is a multi-pattern mic, and should be put up against our C3, but the 4050 in its cardioid position sounds pretty darn close to the B1. In a good room in some capable hands, I bet you would be hard pressed to tell the difference.

I won't tell Steve Nathan to stop using the B1's based on your advice, and Steve has probably been on more gold records than Bruce could dream about. Its all about the end result no matter what name is on the mic, and there is no reason to think the B1 can not be used for more critical projects like any other mic, as long as the end result is acheived. A 4050 in cardioid will not necessarily yeild better results in less experienced hands than a B1, just as it will not in experienced ones.

What we do agree on is they are not the same mic.
 
alanhyatt said:
. . . and lord knows, the artist relation people at AT gave away several truck loads of free mikes to a lot of people, including Bruce.
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:D That's funny, Alan.

Don't get me wrong, here, I believe that in the right hands the B1 can sound stellar. I believe that an awful lot of mics can sound pretty stellar in the right hands and in the proper context.

All I am saying is that I view something like your B-1 as mostly targeting the project studio crowd. In fact, I would put it in the same class as the Audio Technica 3035, for example. Meanwhile, something like your T-3 might be more of a professional tool that specifically targets a more serious crowd.

I'd put your T-3 in the same league, in fact, as the AT 4050. Both vastly, vastly different mics . . . but extremely complimentary. If those were the only two mics I owned, I could probably record an entire record with them and be happy. I'm sure I could make due with something like the SP B1 or the AT 3035, if I had to, and still get perfectly acceptable results . . . just not totally ideal for me.

Two different levels of tools.
 
chessrock said:
:D That's funny, Alan.

Don't get me wrong, here, I believe that in the right hands the B1 can sound stellar. I believe that an awful lot of mics can sound pretty stellar in the right hands and in the proper context.
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This statement is much better than your last one. While the B1 may not be your cup of tea, the 4050 in cardioid is not all that better of a mic. My issue was the B1 should not be classed as only being able to produce rough demo tracks. The B1 has produced some pretty impressive tracks. I agree, its price point is aimed at the entry level market, but in the right hands, as with all products, it can perform well beyond rough demo tracks.....
:)
 
MIC FORUM INTRO: Which mic should I buy, why can't I buy it at Radio Shack, and which

I agree with both of you... and the same could be said about Radio Shack mics, Mr. Microphone, etc.
 
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alanhyatt said:
the 4050 in cardioid is not all that better of a mic.
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I think the 4050 will eat just about any cheapo Chinese condenser for lunch. In my opinion, it's the difference between a high-quality demo and a professional recording. The 4050 is a professional tool, and it's priced that way, for the most part. It's not really a valid comparison.
 
Is there any particular reason why "professional" tools have to be priced out of the reach of the amateur recordist though (and over here I can assure you the AT4050 on up are most definitely out of our reach)? Which is the underlying implication of your statement.

You're going to bring up the 57, aren't you. I can feel it (rolls eyes and tuts)
 
ALSO. Just because a condenser mic is made outside Germany/Japan/The USA and retails below the magic $1000 "professional" price point does this mean that pros should be discouraged, or even forbidden from using it? :confused:
 
You might be overanalyzing my statements just a tad. :D

Price has nothing to do with it. If the prices were reversed and the B-1 was a $700 mic and the 4050 was a $100 mic . . . I'd still call the 4050 the more professional-caliber tool. And I say that because it just sounds better.

Relatively speaking, the 4050 is kind of a budget mic to some people. A professional studio might turn their nose at one because it's not a Neumann or Telefunken (although in truth the vast majority have and use them on a regular basis). It's all in the context.
 
By Telefunken I assume you mean AKG. Weren't TF just the importers of Austrian/German mics into the US?
 
Thanks for your help so far guys.

While I have you all here :) , what are the main differences between the at4050 and the at4047?
 
Thanks for your help so far guys.

While I have you all here , what are the main differences between the at4050 and the at4047?
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Two patterns and about $40.

Also: I believe the 4047 is transformer balanced, whereas the 4050 isn't.
 
Yea, and it sounds "vintage." :D Whatever that means.

Actually, I think the idea behind the 4047 is that it's a little more colored / flattering. Makes for a nice vocal mic for a lot of people. The 4050 is pretty neutral and is probably the more versatile of the two.
 
the at 4050 was a nice step up from the b1-s i had. i sold the 2 b-1s and bought a 4047 at. now i have a nuetral mic and one with a little color. i feel if you can save a little more id go with the audio technicas. sounded more pro to me is the only way i can explain the sound.
 
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