Audio-Technica 40xx mics

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There seems to be many AT mics with similar characteristics (according
to SOS mag), so I'd like to get some user feedback. I have a 4047 and
want to add another AT mic for vocals, e.g., 4033, 4050, maybe another
4047. I'm doing mostly spoken word, but also for singing and
instruments. SOS says the 4050 is essentially a 4033 with multiple
patterns, then says the 4047 is gently flattering but similar to the
4033, which is flattering. (I don't even know what SOS means by
flattering. WordNet definition: "tending to reveal or represent
favorably." ) SOS says the 4040 is a cross between the 4047 and 4033,
but with alleged hi-frequency irregularities and apparent mechanical
noises. The price is lower than the 4033, so maybe the 4040 has
anomalies.

Anyway, would the 4033 be suitable for voice/vocals? Anybody have any
experience/comparison with any of these mics?

Archived from groups: rec.audio.pro (More info?)

<bayareamusician@hotmail.com> wrote in message ...

> Anyway, would the 4033 be suitable for voice/vocals? Anybody have any
> experience/comparison with any of these mics?


They're all decent mics. I have a couple of 4033s, and regular access
using the others. I like the 4033, and because I know it, I consider it one
of the 'go-to' mics if I need to trust a comparison on vocals.


--
David Morgan (MAMS)
http://www.m-a-m-s DOT com
Morgan Audio Media Service
Dallas, Texas (214) 662-9901
_______________________________________
http://www.artisan-recordingstudio.com

Archived from groups: rec.audio.pro (More info?)

<bayareamusician@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:1121461589.059292.271640@g47g2000cwa.googlegroups.com...
> There seems to be many AT mics with similar characteristics (according
> to SOS mag), so I'd like to get some user feedback. I have a 4047 and
> want to add another AT mic for vocals, e.g., 4033, 4050, maybe another
> 4047. I'm doing mostly spoken word, but also for singing and
> instruments. SOS says the 4050 is essentially a 4033 with multiple
> patterns, then says the 4047 is gently flattering but similar to the
> 4033, which is flattering. (I don't even know what SOS means by
> flattering. WordNet definition: "tending to reveal or represent
> favorably." ) SOS says the 4040 is a cross between the 4047 and 4033,
> but with alleged hi-frequency irregularities and apparent mechanical
> noises. The price is lower than the 4033, so maybe the 4040 has
> anomalies.
>
> Anyway, would the 4033 be suitable for voice/vocals? Anybody have any
> experience/comparison with any of these mics?



To my ears, the 4050 sounds NOTHING like a 4033. The 4033 is a bright
sounding mic, maybe even VERY bright. The 4050 is much smoother.

Unlike David, I haven't found a lot of applications in which I've liked
the 4033. I found the 4050 more flattering to most voices.

But then I didn't buy either one... I got a Neumann TLM193 (dark,
smooth, clean single pattern) and an AKG 414B-ULS (bright, coloured,
multi-pattern) instead.

--
"It CAN'T be too loud... some of the red lights aren't even on yet!"
- Lorin David Schultz
in the control room
making even bad news sound good

(Remove spamblock to reply)

Archived from groups: rec.audio.pro (More info?)

On Sun, 17 Jul 2005 04:39:08 -0400, Lorin David Schultz wrote
(in article <MOoCe.95111$wr.76556@clgrps12> ):

> <bayareamusician@hotmail.com> wrote in message
> news:1121461589.059292.271640@g47g2000cwa.googlegroups.com...
>> There seems to be many AT mics with similar characteristics (according
>> to SOS mag), so I'd like to get some user feedback. I have a 4047 and
>> want to add another AT mic for vocals, e.g., 4033, 4050, maybe another
>> 4047. I'm doing mostly spoken word, but also for singing and
>> instruments. SOS says the 4050 is essentially a 4033 with multiple
>> patterns, then says the 4047 is gently flattering but similar to the
>> 4033, which is flattering. (I don't even know what SOS means by
>> flattering. WordNet definition: "tending to reveal or represent
>> favorably." ) SOS says the 4040 is a cross between the 4047 and 4033,
>> but with alleged hi-frequency irregularities and apparent mechanical
>> noises. The price is lower than the 4033, so maybe the 4040 has
>> anomalies.
>>
>> Anyway, would the 4033 be suitable for voice/vocals? Anybody have any
>> experience/comparison with any of these mics?
>
>
>
> To my ears, the 4050 sounds NOTHING like a 4033. The 4033 is a bright
> sounding mic, maybe even VERY bright. The 4050 is much smoother.
>
> Unlike David, I haven't found a lot of applications in which I've liked
> the 4033. I found the 4050 more flattering to most voices.
>
> But then I didn't buy either one... I got a Neumann TLM193 (dark,
> smooth, clean single pattern) and an AKG 414B-ULS (bright, coloured,
> multi-pattern) instead.
>
>

I'm pretty much with Loren on this, but I want to make a point.

I have heard for years that a U 89, TLM 170 and TLM 193 (same capsule) are
"dark." Well I've been using a U 89 for 3-4 years now on vocals and I don't
think it's dark at all, even in figure of eight (which should have the
greatest amount of proximity effect.)

It's not as hyped as a lot of other mics, but they are hyped.

I have recent examples of vocals recorded on the U 89 up on my site in the
music recorded here section. Vocals on "String", "Wind" and "Existential
Boogie" were recorded with a U 89. They don't sound dark to me. In fact,
during mixing, I remember reducing 6k and adding some 200Hz for the gals.

4033 and 4050 sound different to me, though.

Ty Ford



-- Ty Ford's equipment reviews, audio samples, rates and other audiocentric
stuff are at www.tyford.com

Archived from groups: rec.audio.pro (More info?)

If you have a 4047, which I love btw...I'd grab one or two of the
4050's. I think they're much better mics than the 4033 or definitely
better than the 4040. Maybe I shouldn't say "better", but definitely
they see more action....vox, instruments, etc. The multi-patterns work
very well. For $400-500 or whatever they cost new these days, it's a
very good value as well.

later,
m

Archived from groups: rec.audio.pro (More info?)

"Lorin David Schultz" <Lorin@DAMNSPAM!v5v.ca> wrote in message news:MOoCe.95111$wr.76556@clgrps12...
> <bayareamusician@hotmail.com> wrote in message
> news:1121461589.059292.271640@g47g2000cwa.googlegroups.com...
> > There seems to be many AT mics with similar characteristics (according
> > to SOS mag), so I'd like to get some user feedback. I have a 4047 and
> > want to add another AT mic for vocals, e.g., 4033, 4050, maybe another
> > 4047. I'm doing mostly spoken word, but also for singing and
> > instruments. SOS says the 4050 is essentially a 4033 with multiple
> > patterns, then says the 4047 is gently flattering but similar to the
> > 4033, which is flattering. (I don't even know what SOS means by
> > flattering. WordNet definition: "tending to reveal or represent
> > favorably." ) SOS says the 4040 is a cross between the 4047 and 4033,
> > but with alleged hi-frequency irregularities and apparent mechanical
> > noises. The price is lower than the 4033, so maybe the 4040 has
> > anomalies.
> >
> > Anyway, would the 4033 be suitable for voice/vocals? Anybody have any
> > experience/comparison with any of these mics?
>
>
>
> To my ears, the 4050 sounds NOTHING like a 4033. The 4033 is a bright
> sounding mic, maybe even VERY bright. The 4050 is much smoother.
>
> Unlike David, I haven't found a lot of applications in which I've liked
> the 4033. I found the 4050 more flattering to most voices.
>
> But then I didn't buy either one... I got a Neumann TLM193 (dark,
> smooth, clean single pattern) and an AKG 414B-ULS (bright, coloured,
> multi-pattern) instead.


Let me qualify, because perhaps the fact that my 4033s are both very old
makes a difference. In a rather flat, Russ Berger room, back when I was
actually doing rap... I made several comparisons for vocalists, using the
three mics we had handy for vocals... AKG-414, U-87, and the 4033.

Time after time, the vocalist was more impressed with the warmth and
presence of the 4033 than either of the other two. I also heard that
difference.

Having had these mics since they came out, I ended up using them a lot
and on a variety of things... so I grew accustomed to them. It's that sort
of familiarity that led me to say that I'd grab one fairly quickly if I wanted to
do some sort of quick comparison.

Since the OP was looking for male vocal, that's another reason I gave it
a thumbs-up.


--
David Morgan (MAMS)
http://www.m-a-m-s DOT com
Morgan Audio Media Service
Dallas, Texas (214) 662-9901
_______________________________________
http://www.artisan-recordingstudio.com