Recording - August 2021 - 13
A Family of Microphones Compared
The Audio-Technica 40 Series
By Paul Vnuk Jr.
W
elcome to the latest installment of A Family of...
Compared, where we spotlight product lines that
continue to provide valuable studio tools whether
they have been in production a few years or a few decades.
In the March 2021 issue, we looked at the Audio-Technica
ATH-Mx line of headphones, and this month we return to the
Audio-Technica family tree with a look at their popular 40
Series mics. For this roundup, we will be focusing solely on the
large diaphragm and side-address models.
30+ years of 40 Series
The 40 Series launched in 1987 with pencil condenser and
shotgun models. The AT4033 kicked off the large diaphragm
designs in 1991. In 1994, A-T introduced the AT4050, still a
modern classic, and in 1998 came the tube-equipped AT4060.
The FET-based AT4047sv came along in 1999, the AT4040 in
2002, and 2009 was a busy year, with the introduction of the
AT4047MP and the AT4050ST. Also introduced in 2009 and
included in this roundup is the AT4080 ribbon microphone.
The Audio-Technica 40 Series Family
All 40 Series mics are made in Japan, backed by a five
year warranty, and feature high-quality builds in a standardized
presentation unique to Audio-Technica-all-metal
matte-black or brushed silver bodies with gently sloped and
10 RECORDING August 2021
squared-off windscreens, custom shock mounts, dust cover
bags, and foam-lined vinyl boxes.
Shock mounts
Initially, most 40 Series mics (except for the AT4060) came
with the company's custom-designed AT8449 shock mount.
This has been redesigned as the AT8449a, and the bottom
rubber bands have been replaced with a tight silicone grip that
holds firm to the XLR barrel connector on each mic-a significant
and welcome improvement.
While I will be going in numerical order, the numeric designations
of the models in the 40 Series do not adhere to a good
/ better / best quality or pricing scheme.
RECORDING History
The earliest 40 Series review in our pages is Dave Moulton's
look at the AT4060 in April 1999. Scott Dorsey shared his thoughts
on the AT4047/SV in our January 2000 issue. Next came Matt
Zlaten's take on the AT4040 in December 2002, and Scott Dorsey
looked at the ribbon-style AT4080 in January 2011. My first
Audio-Technica 40 Series review was the AT4050ST in May
2012, followed by the 4047MP in February 2013. Finally, Alex
Hawley offered a fresh take on the venerable AT4050 last year in
our October 2020 classic mic roundup. Interestingly, the one model
not previously found in our pages is the one that started it all...
Recording - August 2021
Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Recording - August 2021
Fade In
Fast Forward
A Family of Microphones Compared: The Audio-Technica 40 Series
Tech 21: SansAmp Classic
The Continuing Adventures of Wolf and Elvis: Recording Mammoth WVH, and the tale of ‘Stone’
Reviewed and Revisited: Merging Technologies MERGING+ANUBIS Music Mission
Inside the Box with Joe Albano: Recording the Hybrid Band
Ocean Way Audio: RM1-B Ribbon Microphone
Recording Alicia Keys and the modern pop band with Brendan Morawski
Plugin Outlet: Overloud TH-U Premium
IK Multimedia: Uno Synth Pro
Session Log: The Angelheaded Hipster, Part 8: Studio Choice Matters In Part 8 of our year-long look into the making
EastWest/Quantum Leap Hollywood Orchestra OPUS Edition
Roland: TR-6S Rhythm Performer
JZ Microphones: Signature BB29
Soundware Showcase: UVI Austrian Grand
Inside The Studio with Mark Hornsby: The tale of Toy Matinee
Readers' Tracks
Fade Out: Let’s get together...or not?
Recording - August 2021 - 1
Recording - August 2021 - 2
Recording - August 2021 - 3
Recording - August 2021 - 4
Recording - August 2021 - 5
Recording - August 2021 - 6
Recording - August 2021 - Fade In
Recording - August 2021 - 8
Recording - August 2021 - 9
Recording - August 2021 - 10
Recording - August 2021 - Fast Forward
Recording - August 2021 - 12
Recording - August 2021 - A Family of Microphones Compared: The Audio-Technica 40 Series
Recording - August 2021 - 14
Recording - August 2021 - 15
Recording - August 2021 - 16
Recording - August 2021 - 17
Recording - August 2021 - 18
Recording - August 2021 - 19
Recording - August 2021 - 20
Recording - August 2021 - 21
Recording - August 2021 - 22
Recording - August 2021 - Tech 21: SansAmp Classic
Recording - August 2021 - 24
Recording - August 2021 - The Continuing Adventures of Wolf and Elvis: Recording Mammoth WVH, and the tale of ‘Stone’
Recording - August 2021 - 26
Recording - August 2021 - 27
Recording - August 2021 - 28
Recording - August 2021 - 29
Recording - August 2021 - 30
Recording - August 2021 - 31
Recording - August 2021 - 32
Recording - August 2021 - Reviewed and Revisited: Merging Technologies MERGING+ANUBIS Music Mission
Recording - August 2021 - 34
Recording - August 2021 - 35
Recording - August 2021 - 36
Recording - August 2021 - Inside the Box with Joe Albano: Recording the Hybrid Band
Recording - August 2021 - 38
Recording - August 2021 - 39
Recording - August 2021 - 40
Recording - August 2021 - Ocean Way Audio: RM1-B Ribbon Microphone
Recording - August 2021 - 42
Recording - August 2021 - Recording Alicia Keys and the modern pop band with Brendan Morawski
Recording - August 2021 - 44
Recording - August 2021 - 45
Recording - August 2021 - 46
Recording - August 2021 - 47
Recording - August 2021 - 48
Recording - August 2021 - Plugin Outlet: Overloud TH-U Premium
Recording - August 2021 - 50
Recording - August 2021 - IK Multimedia: Uno Synth Pro
Recording - August 2021 - 52
Recording - August 2021 - Session Log: The Angelheaded Hipster, Part 8: Studio Choice Matters In Part 8 of our year-long look into the making
Recording - August 2021 - 54
Recording - August 2021 - 55
Recording - August 2021 - 56
Recording - August 2021 - EastWest/Quantum Leap Hollywood Orchestra OPUS Edition
Recording - August 2021 - 58
Recording - August 2021 - Roland: TR-6S Rhythm Performer
Recording - August 2021 - 60
Recording - August 2021 - Inside The Studio with Mark Hornsby: The tale of Toy Matinee
Recording - August 2021 - 62
Recording - August 2021 - JZ Microphones: Signature BB29
Recording - August 2021 - 64
Recording - August 2021 - Soundware Showcase: UVI Austrian Grand
Recording - August 2021 - 66
Recording - August 2021 - Readers' Tracks
Recording - August 2021 - 68
Recording - August 2021 - 69
Recording - August 2021 - 70
Recording - August 2021 - 71
Recording - August 2021 - 72
Recording - August 2021 - 73
Recording - August 2021 - 74
Recording - August 2021 - Fade Out: Let’s get together...or not?
Recording - August 2021 - 76
Recording - August 2021 - 77
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