Topic: Audio-Technica AE5100

[heathen]

Official page: https://www.audio-technica.com/cms/wired_mics/faef5ae5ca66f16d/index.html

Previous threads: https://taperssection.com/index.php?topic=81708 and https://taperssection.com/index.php?topic=101493

I first came across the AE5100 while reading through the information about various Audio-Technica mics on the AT web site, hoping to find something that might improve upon my beloved AT4031.  After reading some stuff online about how one of the preferred uses for the AT4031 was drum overheads, and knowing that no Audio-Technica mic would be specifically designed for "what we do," I started my investigation with the current mics that have drum overhead as one of the intended purposes.  When I saw the specs of the AE5100 I was intrigued to say the least.  (Detailed info is on the official page, linked above.)  These mics are essentially a large diaphragm in a small, end-address form factor.

I tried to find samples of concerts recorded with the AE5100, but came up with nothing.  So, I figured I'd see if I could score a pair on ebay for a price I could live with if they didn't pan out.  It didn't take all that long to get a pair for what seemed like a decent price.  (These go for $279 each new.)

This weekend I was able to take the AE5100s out for a test run.  I initially wanted to do a side-by-side comp with my AT4031s but that didn't work out logistically.  Hopefully I'll get around to that before too long.  The venue I recorded in is small, and the crowds are typically very chatty (this night was no exception).  I set up the mics in my new favorite spot there, clamped to a column that is about 10 feet from the stage and slightly stage left of center.  The mics were oriented roughly ORTF.  I didn't ask for a sbd feed because my main purpose was to try out these mics.  The live mix to me seemed good, if a little bass-heavy.  I felt that the keys and Paul's guitar could have been higher in the mix, but that's just me.

Anyway, you can listen here: https://archive.org/details/dpo2018-05-27.AE5100

I'm curious about others' impression of these.  Certainly it will be good to get more samples, in a wider variety of settings.  I'll make an effort to do that.

[heathen]

I'm not trying to influence anyone's opinion here, but listening to the DeadPhish recording for the first time on my main playback system I'm very pleased with the result.  I definitely need to do a direct comp of the AE5100s with the AT4031s.

Maybe I'm just caught up in something shiny and new, but I'd be shocked if any other fixed cardioid mic in a SDC form factor can compete with these AE5100s at their price point (particularly the used price...I got this pair for about $300 including shipping).