Outstanding review! I have the sm7b and am very seriously considering the at4040 for large condensor to round out my mic collection. Each type of mic has its own applications and this helped a lot. Thanks!
You’re welcome! I only saw a couple of videos on this topic and I’ve been wanting to give my take on it. Eventually I will come back to this and go more in depth on applications for each of them. Thanks for checking out the video!
Hey Rob, are you still using the 4040? I'm interested as I'm looking to buy my first studio vocal mic, for rock vocals mainly. Wondered if you had any advice. Cheers!
Definitely it depends on the application. I use the SM7B because it’s more consistent in different room environments. It’s “insensitivity” actually does a great job cutting room reverb.
I have an mv7 for my dynamic microphone. The AT 4040 will be an excellent condenser microphone and is worth the investment. Amazingly clear audio from what I've noticed.
You can't go wrong with either mic....I own the AT4040 and I absolutely love it. Excellent comparison video!!! I'm definitely considering this SM7B as an addition to my studio since it's a dynamic mic.
Boomarm with Mic would be my favorite set,hhh. Besides SM7B and NT2-A, I'm now pay my attention to certain small diaphragm mic which is convenient for me to carry and has really good response. There is actually some time that I'm looking forward to try all those mics I adore...
It is pretty cool to have another angle to work with. It helps with making cuts. I just need to work on getting the colors to match a little better. Thanks for checking out the video!
Compared AT4040 with Lewitt LCT 440 Pure quite a lot, and I think AT4040 sounds desirably clear, warm/a tad dark, and more natural; so I decided to get a second AT4040 mic. It's an awesome mic.
It is one of my favorite microphones. I do feel it's very versatile, where it can be used for a good variety of applications. The one that kind of surprised me is it could be a decent broadcast mic. Thanks for checking out the video!
Really depends on how bad the reverberations and reflections are. Condenser mics will pick up more of the room but if it’s not that bad you can get by.
First off I love how you go about your videos and find them very easy to watch and enjoyable/informative. Quick questions I would love to your your input on if you have time. My current setup is the at4050 and the apogee duet 2. Everything mogami cabled. I used to own the at4040 and also really enjoyed that a lot. I record almost strictly male rap/hip hop vocals. 1. I hear a lot of hype on the shure sm7b especially for rap if I'm not mistaken. It looks like a good preamp is needed for this to perform the best. I think around the guideline of db's? Any help on certain preamps you recommend is appreciated. 2. I've enjoyed the at4050 but not sure if I'm getting the most out of it possibly without a good preamp. I have been researching a good pre-amp especially nice for rap vocals and would be much appreciated if you have any ideas. I don't want to skip out on a good pre and a fantastic mic but ultimately if there's anything in the cheaper side that performs although doesn’t have to be if there’s something that you think pairs well. 3. Another mic Ive been recently extremely (!!) excited about recently is the at4047 for male rap vocals and have read that it can be great on most rap vocals (sometimes hit and miss) and has a cool flavor to it (sounds unique) which sounds very interesting to me. Was just curious if you have knowledge on this mic? I know that was a lot and if you have the time to respond/ or even others, I would love to hear your input…it would mean the world to me. Thanks for all you do!
Ok let's go one point at a time 1) With Preamps you want something that can offer 60+db in gain. Now, the good ones i've seen are Midas and Neutricks. I'm sure there's more. Also consider a mic activator if you want to save some money. Sometimes the cost of a recorder/interface plus a mic activator could be less than a "better" preamp set up. 2) This will expand one the fist one. It seems like you want a good preamp and I can totally get that. I just need to know if you're looking for a interface or do you want to build a rig with a preamp separate to the interface. 3) I don't know much about the 4047, there's not much out there with samples. let me know what kind of set up you are looking for and the budget. I just need to mainly know if you want an all in one interface or do you want to build a rig with the preamps separate
I completely agree, they’re both very similar but different at the same time. I keep swapping between them because I just can’t settle on which I like more
If I had to choose one I would probably go with the AT4040. It's more versatile, in my opinion, and you can save a lot of money relatively speaking. Thanks for checking out the video!
@@RebelTech1990 Definitely, recording some narration for work this week with my AT4040 compared to the SM7B last week, I'm definitely going to be sticking with the 4040. Keep up the good work!
Hey justin, thank u so much for your valuable videos, i have only one confusing question, i own at4040 connected to focusrite 2i2 1gen, when singing the low and the low mid are so much high to the point its difficult to correct it without loosing so much quality, i tried everything standing 6 8 10" even 1 feet from the mic it still picks the low and the mid low at a very high level, what can i do?
Here are a couple of tweaks you can make 1) Try the HPF switch and if that isn’t enough then give some slight adjustments where you hear it being overwhelming. 2) Use a parametric eq to see where the exact frequencies are that you want to cut. 3) Turning the mic slightly could help. Talking directly into the mic can pick up more low end so twisting it ever so slightly could change the tone Those are some, if I think of more I can send them your way. In the mean time give them a try and see what happens. It’ll take some trial and error. Thanks for checking out the video!
I actually really like it for voice over and podcast/broadcast. It has such a great tone that could compliment that genre. Thanks for checking out the video!
Probably go with the SM7B. It’ll be more forgiving in the untreated space. Also could be versatile for other types of content. Thanks for checking out the video, liking and subbing!
Hey, sorry it took a while to get back to you. Here's the link to the pop filter: amzn.to/3PtaW73. It is an Affiliate link, just so you know. Not sure if I have to say but I do just in case it matters. Thanks for checking out the video!
@@RebelTech1990 Hey I appreciate it! I don't mind the link at all. Been loving your videos lately keep up the great work! I tried the moving blanket studio design you posted, and it considerably improved my pretty poor recording situation.
So I'm looking at the AT 4040 or Rode NT 1, what would be your thoughts? My current mic is the AT 2020 and the self noise is a pain, why I am looking at the Rode NT 1 with a 4dba self noise.
Both are great options. I landed in the 4040 because I like the darker tone better. The NT1 is an excellent mic too but more flat and neutral. Which is good for post processing. You wouldn’t be wrong to choose either one, just need to know what tone you like more. I recommend watching the Booth Junkie video comparing the two. Also the new NT1 is out too so something to consider as well. Hope this helps, thanks for checking out the video!
Honestly, both would be a great fit for that genre. It really comes down to the very specific tone you are looking for. I would recommend the AT4040 between these two for R&B. That being said, if the singing became more "aggressive" maybe consider the SM7B with a more robust diaphragm. Hope this helps, let me know if you have any more questions! Thanks for checking out the video!
@@RebelTech1990 I appreciate your response. Thank you so much. My voice is an alto and raspy. I am a newbie to the RU-vid (music) world but planning on recording soon. Right now I have the Aston Spirit and feel like it’s a bit too warm for me but it’s still an excellent microphone. 😊
Hey sorry it took a while to get back to you. I wanted to make sure I had my information right before I answered. First, from close proximity, the AT4040 has better 180 degree rejection. They both have the same 90 degree rejection. Next with desk sounds and close proximity noise the AT4040 has a slight edge. With distance the LCT 440 rejects room reflections better. I referenced Podcastage's videos on these. I did this for consistency and I don't have the LCT 440. These are also my opinion so everyone can hear it differently. Lastly I would personally go with the 4040 but that's because I like the sound better. Also consider that condenser mics always sound better with any kind of treatment you put up. I will also say these mics are usually used in a controlled environment like a studio or booth. Hope this helps, check out Podcastage videos on these to give it a listen and see how you feel about them. Thanks for checking out the video!
It’s changed over time. It started out 3’x3’ (using feet as my unit of measurement). Then it got bigger but not sure how much. I would say it became roughly 4’x5’. Give it take some inches. Hope this helps, thanks for checking out the video!
I gave it a listen on some videos I found. Compared to a U87 the AT4050 seemed to have less presence in the high end. Not by much but definitely noticeable. Other than that it sounds pretty good with multiple patterns to choose from. I also have seen people use it on acoustic guitars which makes it versatile. Hope this helps! Thanks for checking out the video!
My pair of AT4040s are close enough to use interchangeably, and they often sound good on vocals, at least to me. My only observation is that they're quite wide in their pickup pattern, and so: - they benefit from a treated room - are not so good as some other condensers for recording singer-guitarists I wonder whether the AT4033 has a tighter pickup? If so, it'll be more use for home recording and folks who sing with their instruments. Does anyone know whether the AT4033 is tighter?
The 4040, ona polar pattern chart looks a bit inflated but the real world test seemed to be better than it says. Granted it could be the frequencies that are picked up more weren't loud in the examples that I did. From looking at the Polar patterns side by side, the major differences are the 180 degree pick up is more inflated in the 4040. The 4033 has a more "tucked in" look around the 300 and 60 degree angles. Lastly the back angles are more pointed on the 4033. I haven't listened to the 4033 but it seems like it would have better off axis rejection. That being said, I like the FRC on the 4040 better. I feel it's more clean in the mids. Now of course this is just my opinion and I haven't listened to it so it could sound better than the chart looks. Hope this helps, thanks for checking out the video!
My take, btw, is that there seem to be mics that are best positioned in line with the performer's eye or even forehead and aimed at the mouth. Others are straight-ahead mics that are best straight in front of the mouth or at nose level. These mis need a pop filter for obvioui reasons. My AT4040s are straight ahead mics. Three of my 3U audio mics (Warbler I, Warbler II and Warbler IV) and my CAD M179 are all eye level or forehead mics.
@@RebelTech1990 I think it's about my enormous curiousity and the fact that, like many singers, I don't like the sound of my own voice, and so have experimented endlessly using different mics and mic positions. My wife and I play traditional English music and sing old songs, usually one instrument and one voice, or maybe a voice alone. It's very unadorned so be there's no escape - it's either a good, natural sound, or it's not. The experiments are surely not over, but there are lots of results on my RU-vid account.
Very nice Comparison, Also for tomorrow Happy Birthday, As I told you before I was just about to buy the AT4040 for Christmas but at the last moment decided for the Shure SM27 for the same price, and Boy what a sound (Check my latest video).
The crappy thing about the at4040s is that they all sound significantly different from each other, some are sibilant and thin some are sibilant and big low mids, poor quality control but when you do find one that’s good then it’s REALLY good
That’s strange to hear. I never had an issue with any Audio Technica items. Even when I ask around to other who have used their stuff they never said anything bad about their quality control. Maybe it was just a quirky thing that happened.
Excellent question! To be honest, I’m not sure . If you go by the FRC then it’s just as much a mid boost as it is a highs to presence boost. Thanks for checking out the video!