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Audio-Technica AT4040 Cardioid Condenser Microphone with Shock Mount

19 ratings | read 9 reviews

Audio-Technica's Awesome All-Around Condenser Mic

The Audio-Technica AT4040 cardioid condenser microphone is a solid all-around tool to help you record a myriad of instruments in multitudes of scenarios. Known for its transparency, the AT40...

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2 Artists Use This
TOKiMONSTA

TOKiMonsta showcases her Audio Technica AT 4040 at 0:52 into her Studio Tour.
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Andrew Huang

As mentioned in this old Tape Op interview, Andrew Huang has used an AT4040 as his "weapon of choice" in the past. It's visible in many of his older videos, too.
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Description

Audio-Technica's Awesome All-Around Condenser Mic

The Audio-Technica AT4040 cardioid condenser microphone is a solid all-around tool to help you record a myriad of instruments in multitudes of scenarios. Known for its transparency, the AT4040 works wonders in the studio as well as in live performance settings. With a wide, smooth frequency response and super-fast transient response, you'll be able to track acoustic guitars, percussion, voiceover sessions, vocals, strings, guitar cabinets, and countless other instruments with ease. This microphone comes with a shock mount, a dust cover, and a secure carry case.

A Do-It-All Mic for the Studio

Every audio engineer loves having a flexible large-diaphragm condenser microphone that can get the job done in a variety of situations. Your Audio-Technica AT4040 utilizes low-noise transformerless circuitry that minimizes low-frequency distortion and provides a seamless audio capture of high-speed transients -- a plus for recording drums or other percussion instruments.

Robust Design Inside and Out

This multifaceted condenser mic features a precision-machined nickel-plated brass element baffle to reinforce element stability and ensure a seamless capture of whatever source you're tracking. With the -10 dB pad engaged, you have a maximum SPL of 155 dB for grabbing louder instruments without distortion. A wide frequency response of 20 Hz to 20 kHz with a high-pass filter switch at 80 Hz will help you get a rich recording without picking up any unwanted low-end mud.

Get Tracking Right Away

This mic is a great tool to begin with if you're only starting to build up your arsenal of recording gear. Even if it's your only mic, you'll find it goes a long way in consistently delivering on demand. Accessories include an AT8449 shock mount, a dust cover, and carry case, so you can get recording right away and see how just this one mic can enhance your tracking sessions.

Features:

Large-diaphragm condenser microphone
Connects via XLR
Great for broadcast, live performances, and the studio
Requires +48V phantom power
Wide reach of applications
Transformerless circuitry virtually eliminates low-frequency distortion
Cardioid polar pattern
Frequency response of 20 Hz to 20 kHz
Maximum SPL of 155 dB with -10 dB pad engaged
Low self noise of 12 dB
-10 dB pad switch
80 Hz high pass filter switch
Nickel-plated brass element baffle
Accessories include AT8449 shock mount, dust cover, and carry case

9 reviews

chewyjetpack

168

Great mic

Great for vocals, along with a healthy bass response - performs well for beatboxing as long as you're careful with the pop-sheild!

+2

almost 4 years ago
- 0 Comments
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biscuitbarn

148

my first condenser

If I had more money to go towards a condenser, I would've gotten the at4060 for its omnidirectional polar pattern, but for a condenser this sounds wonderful. With my sm57 and 8i6 I can cover a lot of ground.

+1

almost 3 years ago
- 2 Comments
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jimmarchi1 Moderator

the 4040 and 4047 are the most neutral and versatile fixed pattern mics at their price point followed by the fixed pattern blue mics like the baby bottle and bluebird, but the 2 AT fixed pattern 40s are better all arounders.... have you tried the new(ish) AT ribbon microphone yet?

almost 3 years ago

biscuitbarn

haven't tried a lot of studio gear after getting a lot of my stuff unfortunately, but hopefully someday I will.

almost 3 years ago

amar

169

Excellent Microphone

One of the best microphones I've used for vocal recording. Falling at currently $300, either you think it's a lot, or its cheap for a "good" microphone. For me? It's in the middle, I have no problem with the price, because honestly it's worth it. Absolutely. You get crisp and clear quality coming out of it. Very satisfied with it!

+1

about 1 year ago
- 0 Comments
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nathan_whited

264

Realistic

One of the most realistic and natural sounding mics you're going to find in its price range. You may need to fatten or warm the sound you get, but the sound you get will be real.

+1

11 months ago
- 0 Comments
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gary_x_wei

138

Really Great Mic

My AT4040 is my go-to condenser; it's got great range and dynamic response, and picks up the subtleties in my recordings and playing super well!

+1

over 2 years ago
- 0 Comments
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geovoc

231

snazzy

My first Mic. Had it for about 3 years now.

+1

29 days ago
- 0 Comments
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dirigo

230

Smooth highs

I used to use my Akg 214, but this mic just sounds better with my vocals and is in the same price range.

+1

10 months ago
- 0 Comments
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chedaray

233

Large Membrane Mic

Great Large Membrane Mic produces some years ago but still massiv.

+1

9 months ago
- 0 Comments
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jimmarchi1

Moderator

1805

Pretty solid all-rounder.

This is an AT 40 series fixed pattern large diaphragm side address condenser. I've had mine for YEARS. Easily a decade. Its a transformerless circuit so it has a very modern voice. It features a pad and a high pass filter. The HPF is a bit sharp for most applications, but with it engaged this is y favorite microphone to capture a cranked' AC30. I even prefer it to the venerable AKG C414 and Royer ribbons in that application. This has a silky, uncolored sound on vocals, but the esses can be a bit harsh through some preamps. She makes a good room mic for softer sources and really excels at recording orchestral instruments and brass close. You can pretty much put this condenser on any source that needs a mostly-transparent sound with a slight presence lift going into the recorder and get satisfying results. I bought a BLUE baby bottle at the same time I got this mic and while the baby bottle wowed me at first on a female vocal and then an upright bass, the AT4040 stayed with me. Its just more versatile.

Recently sold. I hadn't used it in years since I seldom record anything at home that the 4040 excels at. I kinda regret it, but fixed pattern 40 series mics are common and I prefer the 4047 ever so slightly.

+1

over 3 years ago
- 0 Comments
- edited almost 3 years ago
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