Recording - August 2021 - 15

A Family of Microphones Compared
The Audio-Technica 40 Series
AT4047/SV .........................................................$699
The AT4047/SV was introduced in 1999. Similar in size to the
AT4033a and AT4040, it was the first 40 Series model to feature a
striking brushed silver finish, and it was the first solid state model to
use a custom-wound output transformer. It features a cardioid version
of the 21.4mm capsule found in the AT4050. Its frequency response is
20-18,000 Hz with a bold low-end rise of +5dB from 20 to 30 Hz,
sloping down gently to 100 Hz. Its midsection is flat from 200 Hz 1 kHz,
followed by a wide and gentle presence boost from 1 kHz to 12 kHz.
Its name more than hints at its vintage FET-toned intentions, and
while not designed as a clone of the classic U 47 fet, it inhabits that
realm and will find success on many of the same sources where the
classic fet 47 tone shines. In side-by-side comparisons, the AT4047/
SV is sonically cleaner with less of a dusty, cottony sound than the U
47 fet, and it offers a more forceful low-end bloom. I find this mic to
be a great choice on kick drum, bass and guitar cabinet and vocals.
In his January 2000 review, Scott Dorsey found the AT4047/SV to
exhibit " ...a very clean and useful sound that's different from any of
the other large diaphragm models I compared it to. " And he concluded
that, " It's a versatile large diaphragm condenser that has a small
but useful variety of sounds. "
All this to say, the AT4047/SV does have a distinct sound and vibe
compared to the other, more neutral 40 Series specimens, but it's a
killer sound and vibe.
AT4047MP ..........................................................$849
Introduced thirteen years after the original, the AT4047MP expanded
on the original SV model by adding the option of multiple polar
patterns (cardioid, omni, fig. 8) via a front-side switch. Everything else,
including the capsule, transformer, pad, and low-cut, remained the
same, although it came housed in a larger 7.40 " x 2.10 " 18.5 oz.
body, making it visually a silver-toned AT4050. Interestingly, even in
cardioid mode, despite having the same capsule and components as
the AT4047/SV, its voicing differs slightly, with less overall low-end
extension and a touch more tightness and focus in its presence boost.
In my February 2013 review, I found the mic's controlled proximity
effect intriguing. " In both cardioid and omni mode, this is a mic that
a good singer can get right up on with less worry of plosives than
I am used to. On the flip side, fig.-8 mode is the fullest of the three
patterns and my absolute favorite for vocals, even over the original
model... especially for folksy crooning, smooth jazz and soul-flavored
vocal tracks. "
Eight years later, the AT4047MP sees regular use in my studio and is
a personal 40 Series fave. As above, I still love fig.-8 mode on up-close,
intimate vocal takes, and my favored use of the mic is on a three-part
horn section in Omni mode.
12 RECORDING August 2021
Recording - August 2021

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