Audio-Technica AT4021

Condenser microphone with cardio HPF -10dB and att
replaces the extraordinary modular AT 4051 of the brands that have unfortunately disappeared from the catalog,
simpler, non-modular.
we bought the very first, serial numbers: 048 101 107 and 108 and the four are entirely consistent coupling
cutting the grid very "DPA 4015 !!!!"
the sound is really good, better than a KM184, dynamics in the bass is very beautiful, a little less than a Schoeps MK4 right, it is a little between the two


NOTICE GLOBAL

Audio Techica knows do from time to time very very good sensors and there it is,
I find it to be within 5 or 6 very large reference mark (AE3000, AT 4050, AT 4060 ATM35 ...)

The AT 4021 is a micro capacitor has a small capsule, cardioid directivity. It was designated to get a good response and a serious in of up to 20Hz (unusual on small capsules) signal to noise ratio. Rather polivalent (voice, guitar, drums). Supports a large sound pressure level (156dB). Possesses a low cut + -10 dB attenuator.

OVERALL OPINION

I use it for a week. I usually bump with a Neumann U87, Neumann M149, NT2A Rode, AKG C414, SE Titan and many others.
What a surprise! for the voiceover on my voice, he puts his scraped Neumann M149! a micro-tube has over 3200 euros (the M149 sounds a bit tinny on my tone of voice). It is much more precise and air in the top of the spectrum without ever sounding metal. I then do another test by comparing it with a Rode NT2A (same recording conditions) and same result, small AT4021 sounds clear in the treble, while the sounds clear NT2A AND metal). Well as Audio Technica specifies that the microphone has an excellent bass response frequencies, it feels a hollow around 120Hz. Never mind, I try to fix this with an EQ to see if the microphone is able to get out of the bass too crados ... and, also nice surprise, we get a rather round and warm sound hard to believe that no case has a large static!
The price is around 500 dollars on the net, but you can touch new around $ 290 on eBay.
He rejects quite severely reverberating sounds behind him, this can be an advantage as a disadvantage. Indeed, some may find to be that it lacks a little '3 D effect '. But for other uses (home studio with a not perfect acoustics, recording sound effects / foley) it can be seen as a good point. Please make sure that the investment can be a little touchy mic has a large capsule.
I use different types of preamps: Vintech X73, SPL Track One mkII and even with a Zoom H6. In all cases, no surprises, it's very quiet, it sounds good with a little EQ in the bass and it's accurate.
Note that I am not saying that this is a killer U87 microphones or reference, it is not a soft micro-tube, but it is a precise and musical tool.

This mic is my new toy, it is widely undervalued and I think in this price range and even a little slice in the upper, it is unbeatable.