Opinions on a few AT mics

[TimS]

Hi All,
I'm slowly trying to establish a small collection of mics (not expensive - I have a small & limited budget)
I have been watching over some AT mics on Ebay, both in Oz and O/S.
One of the AT mics (cant remember right now) was reviewed in AT a while back..
I'm namely looking at the following;
Audio Technica AT2041SP (2020 & 2021)
Audio-Technica AT3035
Audio Technica AT3060
Audio Technica AT4040

I realise these are NOT expensive mics compared to the large variety of other condensor mics available, but I'm trying to get a few different mics for their own qualities.
I have Studio Projects, CAD and Rode mics already.
Does anyone have opinions on any of these mics above..
Just interested in opinions on these mics if you are/have used them..
Thanks,
TimS..

[chris p]

Hi Tim

I use a pair of AT3032 cardioid pencil condensers for drum OH as well as flute and guitar micing, and an AT3031 pencil omni for various uses (including centre mic on MS). Like you, I have a range of other mics (Beyer, EV, tube, Shure, AKG), and that really is the key.

Sonically, the AT pencil condensers are fairly generic: nice wide condenser frequency sensitivity, high output level, comes with a boost in the higher frequencies. All very usable stuff. Japanese made, quite solid. Nothing to be ashamed of at all, and the right mic in in some situations.

[TimS]

Chris,
Thanks for the quick reply.
I'll have to check out the AT3032 as well..
TimS..

[smash]

Just be cautious buying Mic's on eBay.

Remember the ongoing fake 57 saga.

If it seems to good to be true, It probably is.

[TimS]

Just be cautious buying Mic's on eBay.

Remember the ongoing fake 57 saga.

If it seems to good to be true, It probably is.

These mics are priced well - meaning, they are only a bit cheaper (but significantly) than RRP..
Definately not fakes, hence why I'm looking for a little savings here and there.
I always look for stores that offer a guarantee/warranty in the auction also.. just in case..
I don't think these are the old '57 ripoff' scam that was on EBay a while back..
However, point taken with many other mics that frequent EBay..
TimS..

[OzDrum]

also look at the sE range of microphones.. we have some of these in our studio (as well as we a dealer for them and AT amongst other !).. we find them extremely good value for money!

[scott]

Also its good to look at it from the point of view of what characteristic you are after as opposed to a brand specific approach. What models do you already have? If they are all large diaphram cardiods you may want some omni pencil condensers, ribbons or boundary electets. Or maybe you have already narrowed it down to those listed. In which case... cary on

[TimS]

I have been looking at the pencil mics also - stereo pairs namely.
Either Rode NT5's or Oktaia Mk012..
I am aiming to have a nice little collection over time..

TimS.

[Jason Dirckze]

I have been looking at the pencil mics also - stereo pairs namely.
Either Rode NT5's or Oktaia Mk012..
I am aiming to have a nice little collection over time..

TimS.

Rode NT55's would be better, I believe you can change the capsules around on them, and they have a HPF and pad on the mic too!

[Mark Bassett]

I'd recommend the oktava's over the rodes
but I'd recommend some very unfavorable things over rodes
You can change the capsules around on the Oktava's also,
and they also have a P.A.D.

The Oktava's come with capsules, do the rodes? i don't think so.


Best thing about them is they're not my by Rode.

[Ausrock]

There's also Studio Projects C4 which come as a matched pair with cardoid and omni capsules included.........it may be worth looking at the revised/new series rather than the original issue.

[TimS]

I'd recommend the oktava's over the rodes
but I'd recommend some very unfavorable things over rodes
You can change the capsules around on the Oktava's also,
and they also have a P.A.D.

The Oktava's come with capsules, do the rodes? i don't think so.


Best thing about them is they're not my by Rode.

I've heard good things about the Oktavia Mk012's..
I was looking at buying some a few years back when I had a Digi 001..
Didnt end up getting them - actually sold off all my recording gear (keys, Lexicon PCM80, all sorts) to finance an overseas trip (things we do eh!!).. :evil:
However, I recorded a gig at Kinsela's during Mari Gras in Feb using NT5's as overheads on drums, and they worked out pretty well - needed some tweaking though, as you'd expect.
So, now I'm studying PT at UTS in Sydney (doing my 110 as I write this) and am seriously gassing for some nice mics to add to my, albeit not very expensive, collection..
However, you have to start somewhere.. :shock:
TimS
PLUG - anyone need a PT operator/assistant? :D

[scott]

Searching the pages of this forum you will generaly find more positive coment abou oktava's than Rode's mics. Understatement I have a pair with three different small capsules.They sound great. And you can get the RED large diaprhagm ones too.

I should say a couple of bad things about them 1. The clips are not he greatest 2. My cardiod capsules have about a 4dB difference in level and they are supposedly matched pairs 3. Their was a dodgy crowd in england who where trading with the oktava name but they seem to have dissapeared. If you get them from the web just be carefull.

[Kurt]

OT I know, but from all the Rode bashing you'd think they were made by be!@#$%^&!

What's wrong with Rode mics?

[toadmark]

Coming back to the AT mic thingy

I reckon the AT4050 is one of the best value-for-money multi pattern mics you can buy.

[TimS]

OT I know, but from all the Rode bashing you'd think they were made by be!@#$%^&!

What's wrong with Rode mics?

Yes, I thought the same thing...
Whats wrong with some of the upper end Rode's??
TimS

[toadmark]

Ditto that - like the K2 etc??

[Henry]

[quote="Kurt"]OT I know, but from all the Rode bashing you'd think they were made by be!@#$%^&!

What's wrong with Rode mics?[/quote]

It's about value. An AT4040 is cheaper than a Rode NT1 on US Ebay and it's 10 times better. The price you pay for the upper end mics, you may as well get something really great.

Before the K2, Rode had nothing that interested me. Audio Technica 40 mics are better across the board and cheaper.

[Henry]

[quote="Kurt"]OT I know, but from all the Rode bashing you'd think they were made by be!@#$%^&!

What's wrong with Rode mics?[/quote]

It's about value. An AT4040 is cheaper than a Rode NT1 on US Ebay and it's 10 times better. The price you pay for the upper end mics, you may as well get something really great.

Before the K2, Rode had nothing that interested me. Audio Technica 40 mics are better across the board and cheaper.