Audio technica 40 series

[wings]

I've heard great things about AT's 40 series of mics. Would appreciate any info, comparisons and preferences particularly on the 4033, the 4047 and the 4050. Thanks.

[Tune Machine]

I have a 4033, and enjoy its ability to capture everything from vocals to acoustic guitar to sax and trombone. It does not, it seems to me, add much of a breathy presence to vocals, which I actually find might be a bit of a shame, but it does pretty much reproduce what it hears (too bad for my rather flat and muddy-midrangey voice). The other thing about it is that it picks up pretty much anything in the room: if an ant farts, you will pick it up. Sometimes I prefer using a mic that is not quite so sensitive. Anyway, I have found it to be quite useful and do not regret getting it. On somewhat of a budget, I have made this mic my main vocal mic.

[Josan]

One of my mics is the 4047 and although a rather good mic it tends to have a particular
character because of the fet electronics. It wouldn't be my first choice, a 4050 or 4033 are better as all round large diaphram condensors.

[Michael Quayle]

The 4050 used to be the De Facto workhorse mic in the small recording studio I used to work in, and I loved it. It had a wonderful openness to it, loads of transparency, and a beautiful 'sheen' to the top end that is hard to describe, yet brings out that breathy quality in vocals beautifully. There was more than one occasion where I would forgo the 'guest' U87 we had there for a few months in preference of tis mic. Worked great on vocals, acousitc guitar, as a mono drum overhead, or as anything else where detail needed to be captured. IMO a great mic.