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« Jack of all trades, this one. »
Published on 07/06/11 at 00:05The Audio-Technica AT4050 is one of Audio-Technica's high end studio condenser microphones, with the three standard multiple pickup patterns one would expect to find on a microphone with multiple pickup patterns: cardioid, figure 8, and omnidirectional. It has a frequency response of 20-18,000 Hz, with varying responses (peaks and valleys) depending on the pattern. The cardioid and omnidirectional are roughly the same, with a boost around 10k and a steep drop off after 18,000 Hz to 20,000 Hz. The figure 8 pattern has a raised shelf starting between 5,000 and 6,000 Hz, and then drops off the same way as the other two patterns.
The AT4050 also has the 80 Hz roll-off and 10 dB pad that one would expect to find on most microphones, and it has a respectable signal to noise ratio of 77 dB and self-noise of 17 dB.
OVERALL OPINION
Audio-Technica never ceases to amaze me with the consistency of their line. They have very few microphones that would be terrible in any given situation, most likely due to the fact that they still manufacture out of China entirely. Even their AT20-series microphones are manufactured in Taiwan, last I checked. The 40's are manufactured in Japan. This may not seem like a big deal on its own, but this difference is what causes Audio-Technica to stand out in the crowd. Even though many of their microphones can be considered entry level, they still seem to be far above many midrange products offered by any other company. This isn't to say that Audio-Technica makes the best microphones in the world; it's to say that when it comes to studio microphones, I can't exactly pick out any mic they make as bad.
The AT4050 is certainly one of the coolest microphones in existence. Its versatility and relative affordability (I say this because I just happened to get a chance to play with one, and am not a high-end studio owner who can afford this microphone) make it a great prospect for anyone. The AT4050 doesn't particularly seem to flatter any sort of sound, but it's a multiple pattern microphone; you're not buying it for a specific use. It's a workhorse, it will always get the job done, and while it may not be a perfect fit for that vocalist you had to pull the Blue Baby Bottle out for, it won't make that person sound awful either.
A jack of all trades.
The AT4050 also has the 80 Hz roll-off and 10 dB pad that one would expect to find on most microphones, and it has a respectable signal to noise ratio of 77 dB and self-noise of 17 dB.
OVERALL OPINION
Audio-Technica never ceases to amaze me with the consistency of their line. They have very few microphones that would be terrible in any given situation, most likely due to the fact that they still manufacture out of China entirely. Even their AT20-series microphones are manufactured in Taiwan, last I checked. The 40's are manufactured in Japan. This may not seem like a big deal on its own, but this difference is what causes Audio-Technica to stand out in the crowd. Even though many of their microphones can be considered entry level, they still seem to be far above many midrange products offered by any other company. This isn't to say that Audio-Technica makes the best microphones in the world; it's to say that when it comes to studio microphones, I can't exactly pick out any mic they make as bad.
The AT4050 is certainly one of the coolest microphones in existence. Its versatility and relative affordability (I say this because I just happened to get a chance to play with one, and am not a high-end studio owner who can afford this microphone) make it a great prospect for anyone. The AT4050 doesn't particularly seem to flatter any sort of sound, but it's a multiple pattern microphone; you're not buying it for a specific use. It's a workhorse, it will always get the job done, and while it may not be a perfect fit for that vocalist you had to pull the Blue Baby Bottle out for, it won't make that person sound awful either.
A jack of all trades.