Topic: Just out: AT4021, AT4022 pencil-type card/omni mics

[sunjan]

Hey all, I haven't seen any postings about the new AT mics announced at Summer NAMM. They look almost stealthable to me. Length 144mm, diameter 21mm, P48.
The only thing that sucks is that they copied the model numbers from DPA, very cheap shot! 

At MRSP $495 each, perhaps there are much better deals to be had than these??? Are they overpriced?




http://www.audio-technica.com/cms/wired_mics/7707970299cacacc/index.html

http://www.sonicstate.com/news/shownews.cfm?newsid=6906

As seen in our Summer NAMM video coverage, Audio-Technica has introduced the AT4021 cardioid and AT4022 omnidirectional pencil condenser microphones.

These mics, both featuring a sleek new capsule design/construction, are the latest additions to Audio-Technica’s 40 Series of condenser microphones. The company say that these mics are ideal for critical studio and live applications, offering outstanding performance and versatility, perfect for acoustic guitars, strings, percussion, overhead, high-hat and other acoustic instruments. Additionally, say A-T, as an omnidirectional microphone, AT4022 is great for ensemble use, stereo recording, and group/background vocals.

A-T tell us that both the AT4021 Cardioid Condenser Microphone and the AT4022 Omnidirectional Condenser Microphone feature high SPL handling and wide dynamic range, as well as flat, extended frequency response and exceptional reproduction of low-frequency sounds. The AT4021’s cardioid polar pattern reduces pickup of sounds from the sides and rear, improving isolation of the desired sound source. The AT4022’s omnidirectional polar pattern provides maximum ambient pickup. Both microphones offer a low-mass element that A-T tell us provides superb transient response.

An integral 80 Hz high-pass filter provides easy switching from a flat frequency response to a low-end roll-off. The roll-off position reduces the microphones’ sensitivity to popping in close vocal use. It also reduces the pickup of low-frequency ambient noise, room reverberation and mechanically-coupled vibrations. Output from both microphones’ XLRM connectors is low impedance (Lo-Z) balanced.

Pricing and Availability:
The AT4021 Cardioid Condenser Microphone and the AT4022 Omnidirectional Condenser Microphone will be available September 2008 with pricing as follows:

    * AT4021 $495.00 U.S. MSRP
    * AT4022 $495.00 U.S. MSRP

More information:

    * www.audio-technica.com

SPECIFICATIONS
ELEMENT    Fixed-charge back plate, permanently polarized condenser
POLAR PATTERN    Cardioid
FREQUENCY RESPONSE    20-20,000 Hz
LOW FREQUENCY ROLL-OFF    80 Hz, 12 dB/octave
OPEN CIRCUIT SENSITIVITY    -34 dB (19.9 mV) re 1V at 1 Pa
IMPEDANCE    250 ohms
MAXIMUM INPUT SOUND LEVEL    146 dB SPL, 1 kHz at 1% T.H.D.;
156 dB SPL, with 10 dB pad (nominal)
NOISE    14 dB SPL
DYNAMIC RANGE (typical)    132 dB, 1 kHz at Max SPL
SIGNAL-TO-NOISE RATIO    80 dB, 1 kHz at 1 Pa
PHANTOM POWER REQUIREMENTS    48V DC, 3.0 mA typical
SWITCHES    Flat, roll-off; 10 dB pad
WEIGHT    119 g (4.2 oz)
DIMENSIONS    144.0 mm (5.67") long,
21.0 mm (0.83") maximum body diameter
OUTPUT CONNECTOR    Integral 3-pin XLRM-type
ACCESSORIES FURNISHED    AT8405a stand clamp for 5/8"-27 threaded stands; windscreen; protective carrying case
AUDIO-TECHNICA CASE STYLE    S1

[headroom]

It looks like someone did a cloning from the AT3031 30333 series 169$ each 30XX have Phantom Power Range 12-54 Volts great! SN 40XX is a bit better 2 db?

[digifish_music]

It looks like someone did a cloning from the AT3031 30333 series 169$ each 30XX have Phantom Power Range 12-54 Volts great! SN 40XX is a bit better 2 db?

That's what I was thinking...a black 3032 and 3031...

HOWEVER...I was just on the AT site and saw.

AT3032 Omnidirectional Condenser Microphone (DISCONTINUED)
AT3031 Cardioid Condenser Microphone (DISCONTINUED)

Waaaaaaaaa!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[spyder9]

I ran the AT3031's up until a few months ago.  Fantastic mics.  Liked them better than the older 404x and 405x series.

That Freq chart is pretty flat for a AT mic.  I bet they sound real nice.

EDIT:  A closer look makes me thing these 402x's are just repainted 303x's.  Numbers are real close.  Freq chart is close to.  Length is exactly the same. 

Audio Technica probably finally sat down and compared their microphones.......... and to their own amazement found out they were selling gold at lead prices (referring to the 303x's).   

[Sunday Driver]

Interesting. I wonder if the caps on top of the 4021s detach? If these mics sound as flat as what is on the charts, maybe it will be worth the effort to hack up some "active" cables for them.

I find it a bit amusing that they have the same serial number as the DPA 4021 and 4022 though. Totally different mics of course.

[digifish_music]

I ran the AT3031's up until a few months ago.  Fantastic mics.  Liked them better than the older 404x and 405x series.

That Freq chart is pretty flat for a AT mic.  I bet they sound real nice.

EDIT:  A closer look makes me thing these 402x's are just repainted 303x's.  Numbers are real close.  Freq chart is close to.  Length is exactly the same. 

Audio Technica probably finally sat down and compared their microphones.......... and to their own amazement found out they were selling gold at lead prices (referring to the 303x's).   

I'd agree with that. The noise specs on the 303X series were particularly under-rated, probably deliberately?

http://www.godsownclay.com/Equipment/Microphones/at3032p.1.html

http://www.soundonsound.com/sos/May02/articles/audiotechnica.asp

The good news? is I suppose that the 303X series started out ~$450 each in todays money and fell to $169 street by the end. Hopefully the 402X series will do the same.

At MRSP $495 each, perhaps there are much better deals to be had than these??? Are they overpriced?

Given you can still pick up a 303X mic for $169 with what are probably identical specs, yes.

EDIT: OK so it looks like they have changed the roll-off switch on the mic...big deal. The other minor differences could easily be test-re-test variability and or marketing poking around with the graphs So in summary as spyder9 notes, it appears to be a new paint-job and some minor tweaks to the internal circuity... so + $250 goes the RRP






Edit BTW, I settled on a pair of AT3032 mics for field recording ambiances and acoustic instruments aster about 12 months of searching. They simply sound as good as some of the most expensive mics I tested @ 5X more $$$. The Gods Own Clay link is what got me to audition a pair.

digifish

[romillyh]

Edit BTW, I settled on a pair of AT3032 mics for field recording ambiances and acoustic instruments aster about 12 months of searching. They simply sound as good as some of the most expensive mics I tested @ 5X more $$$. The Gods Own Clay link is what got me to audition a pair. [Digifish] 

Glad you found the samples useful. We've listened to those Chevaux de bois AT3032 vs TLM103 samples many times and never been able to hear much difference. Pianist was horrified that quality of his expensive mics could be matched by £100 pencils from AT! I bought the 3032s because the noise specs caused a stir on the Nature Recordist email list when someone tested them and found the self-noise to be far lower than AT claimed. Now have two pairs, last bought soon before discontinuation. Interesting about the 402xs -- maybe AT did finally realize they were selling gold at lead prices!

romillyh (God's Own Clay dot com)