AT4033, 4047, or 4050

[gutsofgold]

I have been hearing nothing but good things about Audio Techinca condenser mics but I am not sure which to check out.

I want one mainly for vocals and guitar. I am willing to spend the extra money on the 4047 or 4050 but keep in mind I would be running it into a Soundcraft board and a dbx compressor and not some high-end boutique gear. So I don't want to overkill here and have my pre's bottleneck a nice mic.

Any recommendations?

[@?,*???&?]

4050 = dark, muddy, weird off-axis response, tight bottom though

4033 = dark, gauzy, strange pinched character to it

4047 = bright, clear and usable, but not a warm mic contradicts the 'warm fet' ad campaign Audio Technica attempted

3035 = usable and a good value for the money, but can sound chirpy and insincere at times

[Kelly]

4050/4040 are fantastic all rounders. They can sound muddy on electric guitars, but for everything else.... they sound good, excelent, or workable, but never terrible.

They also have a very smooth hi-end on vocals.

4047 works well on hi-gain modern nu-metal/alternative guitars, and female vocals.

[Eric Rottmayer]

I have the 3060 (phantom powered tube) which I like as a room mic and on
some acoustic instruments. also a bit chirpy high end sometimes but more mid
& bass definition. not too great with my voice though...

[parlormusic]

for vocals and many acoustic instruments, the 4060 is one of my favorites.

[vibesof20hz]

I have been very let down by AT products in the past. There are better mics in that price range. Check out studio projects or a few others.

[dokushoka]

I have been very let down by AT products in the past. There are better mics in that price range. Check out studio projects or a few others.

Wow. I have used the 4050, 4060 and several of their dynamics mics quite a bit, and I would say I have never been "let down." They hold up *very* well IMO, even against some of the "legendary" mics.

[thethingwiththestuff]

I have been very let down by AT products in the past. There are better mics in that price range. Check out studio projects or a few others.

studio projects?? really?

[jaguarsg]

imo, 4050 = pretty good on everything except for overheads.

never used any of the others.

[Fieryjack]

"4033 = dark, gauzy, strange pinched character to it "

[mjau]

"4033 = dark, gauzy, strange pinched character to it "

I agree on the pinched characterization, but not on the dark or gauzy - I find it a bright, very forward sounding mic.
Of the at mic's I've used enough to talk about (4050, 4033, 3035, 4047), I like the 4047 the best, though the 4050 is very versatile and will work on nearly anything.

[kayagum]

If you're looking for "bang for the buck" mic, you may want to consider an OktavaMod 219 or 319. You can now buy them new.

(PS Joel Hamilton reviewed the 219 in the new TapeOp).

http://oktavamod.com

[asmara]

I've had luck with my 4033CL as a vocal mic for my voice. Think belle and sebastian's lead singers voice. Run into GR pre with EL8. No experience with the others you mentioned. Pelusi, Pearlman are on my x-mas list.

[Jeff White]

4047sv + Sytek MPX4Aii = good.

[dsw]

Audio Technica mics are very well made will last a long time and will hold their value. If Neumann is the BMW, AT is the Subaru.
4033: bright and clean.
4055: has user selectable patterns and is very tight if not ballsy. polite.
4047: detailed and balanced. not as bright, smooth mids. very pleasing on almost anything. versatile mic and a terrific first time buyer LDC.