Review on 🎙️ Optimized for SEO: Audio-Technica AT4040 Cardioid Condenser Microphone by Mike Nix

As a hobby, I record my solo piano arrangements and improvisations of songs from the American jazz and swing era. I'm currently recording my 15th album, this time a 2 CD set of Harry Warren songs. Previous albums have featured songs by Irving Berlin, Ellington, Burton Lane, Jimmy McHugh, James Van Heusen, Harold Arlen and so on. For years I've used a pair of Audio-Technica AT2035 cardioid condenser microphones connected to an Avid and Pro set-top box. Tool. The AT2035s were pretty good, albeit prone to distortion on loud passages. I have to admit that I didn't take good care of them and over time the cones became too dusty to clean without damaging them, which I felt affected the sound. Before I started my current album, I knew it was time to upgrade the mics. As you know, condenser mics can be very expensive, and figuring out which ones are worth it is subjective. So I decided that using another pair of Audio-Technica would be a safe and affordable strategy - until I upgraded to a better AT model. After reading many reviews I settled on the Audio-Technica AT4040. Using my new pair of AT4040s, I recorded all 17 songs from CD #1 of my next album and finished editing and mastering. Now I can say I'm very happy with the vastly improved sound I'm getting from the AT4040s. Note that I'm using a "proximity mic" configuration, where the mics are under the piano. (See my photo.) I own and play a 7 foot Yamaha C6, it has a very bright sound with a much more complex overtone structure than the Steinway; it's more like a Bösendorfer. This makes the C6 a great instrument for jazz and other pop music, but it's difficult to record over the strings or from a distance (e.g. in a hall). The AT4040 are really good in a close mic configuration that can overwhelm other mics because they are louder than a mic at a distance. Likewise, the AT4040s are not overwhelmed by the extremely complex high-frequency structures encountered when playing jazz harmonies on a bright piano like the C6. For example, unlike most other jazz pianists, I have a strong and nimble left hand (due to classical training). ) which I use on a lot of walking bass and stride. My old AT2035s were easily overwhelmed by the booming bass from my 7ft C6 and they didn't accurately capture that aspect of my playing. On the other hand, my new AT4040s (pun intended) are downright bass hungry in a tight mic situation like mine. I suspect it has to do with the AT4040's large diaphragm and transformerless circuitry. In conclusion I would say that the AT4040s do not clip in any frequency range capable of reproducing a complex and bright wing like mine. One of the positives is that I'm able to record at higher gain, which means a more powerful recording - with no distortion, despite being louder - that sounds better on a variety of playback devices, from stereo speakers to smartphone headphones. In addition, the AT4040 has an excellent shock absorber and a case that fits even when the microphone is in the shock absorber. Finally, I record and edit with headphones, which can bring out the noise; I find the AT4040 very powerful yet quiet. My only regret is not upgrading to AT4040s sooner. For your health!