Pricing and availability
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Price
Average Price: $301
Standard/Professional
$100
$401+
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Budget
Standard
High-end
Price History
Based on price data from 5 merchants for "Audio-Technica ATM450 Condenser Instrument Microphone". Prices shown reflect NEW condition. Tracking began Apr 2, 2026.
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Description
The Audio-Technica ATM450 Condenser Instrument Microphone is a versatile addition to any musician's toolkit, designed to deliver exceptional performance across a variety of acoustic applications. Its unique side-address design allows for flexible placement, making it ideal for capturing the nuanced sounds of acoustic guitars, overheads, and percussion with minimal obstruction. Whether you're in the studio or on stage, the ATM450's cardioid polar pattern ensures focused audio capture, reducing unwanted ambient noise and honing in on your desired sound source.
Engineered with a frequency response range of 40 to 20,000 Hz, this microphone captures a wide spectrum of sound with clarity and precision. The integrated 80 Hz hi-pass filter allows you to toggle between a flat frequency response and a low-end roll-off, adapting seamlessly to different acoustic environments. For recordings that demand high sound pressure levels, the ATM450 features a switchable 10 dB pad, ensuring it can handle even the most dynamic performances without distortion.
Constructed with a rugged all-metal design, the ATM450 is built to endure the rigors of professional use while maintaining uncompromised sound quality. Complemented by a professional isolation clamp, this microphone offers secure mounting and effective isolation from mechanical noise, ensuring your recordings are as clean and crisp as possible.
Key Features:
- Cardioid polar pattern for focused sound capture
- Frequency response: 40 - 20,000 Hz
- Maximum SPL: 152 dB
- 80 Hz hi-pass filter and 10 dB pad
- Side-address design for flexible placement
- Rugged all-metal construction
- Includes isolation clamp, leather bag, windshield, and stand clamp
- Requires +48V phantom power
Product specs
| Microphone Type | Condenser |
| Polar Pattern | Cardioid |
| Frequency Response | 40Hz-18kHz |
| Max SPL | 152dB |
| Output Impedance | 200 ohms |
| Signal to Noise Ratio | 69dB |
| Low Cut Filter | 80Hz (-12dB/octave) |
| Pads | -10 dB |
| Connector | XLR |
| Weight | 0.22 lbs. |
| Included Accessories | Shock Mount, Windscreen, Microphone Pouch |
FAQs
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What is the primary application for the Audio-Technica ATM450 microphone?
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The Audio-Technica ATM450 is designed for capturing a wide range of instruments, making it ideal for studio recording of drums, acoustic guitars, and other amplified acoustic instruments.
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How does the Audio-Technica ATM450 handle high sound pressure levels?
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The ATM450 can handle high sound pressure levels up to 152dB, making it suitable for loud sound sources like drums and guitar amplifiers.
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What is the polar pattern of the Audio-Technica ATM450 and what does it mean for recording?
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The ATM450 features a cardioid polar pattern, which is effective at isolating the sound source while minimizing background noise, making it ideal for focused instrument recording.
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Does the Audio-Technica ATM450 come with any accessories?
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Yes, the ATM450 includes a shock mount, windscreen, and microphone pouch to facilitate setup and protection during transport.
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What is the frequency response range of the Audio-Technica ATM450?
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The frequency response of the ATM450 ranges from 40Hz to 18kHz, providing a balanced sound capture suitable for various instruments.
Videos
Full Compass
Audio-Technica Recording Basics -- Acoustic Guitar Overview | Full Compass
Reviews
PROS
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Excels in tight spaces, ideal for drum kits
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Versatile use on snares, toms, hi-hats, overheads, cabs, and acoustic guitars
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Stellar sound quality with nice transient response and detailed sound
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Side address design offers discrete mounting options
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Excellent in handling high sound pressure levels
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Compact and lightweight, easy to position
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Offers a tight sound with great focus and admirable rejection of stage bleed
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Pure sound quality, requires only minor adjustments (e.g., low cut)
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Unique form factor at its price point, comparable to more expensive mics
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Flexible for both close miking and capturing ambient sound
CONS
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Some users find the sound quality just "ok"
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May require additional gear (e.g., gates, suspension mounts) for optimal performance
Owner Insights
We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Audio-Technica ATM450 Condenser Instrument Microphone.
Use cases and applications
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The Audio-Technica ATM450 is praised for its effectiveness on toms and snare, offering a unique design that aids in spot-miking drums effectively.
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Some users also recommend the ATM450 for hi-hats, highlighting its adaptability in various drum-miking scenarios.
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The ATM450 is used effectively for both drum overheads and acoustic guitar, praised for its realistic sound with a slight low-mid bump and no hyped upper frequencies.
Source
Comparisons
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The ATM450 is sometimes preferred over traditional 57 clones on rack toms, providing a more tailored sound in certain setups.
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Features and functionality
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The ATM450, as a small diaphragm condenser, offers versatility and is highly regarded for its performance in overhead and spot-miking applications.
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User experience
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Owners appreciate the ATM450's compatibility with post-processing techniques like driving tube amps and using tape machines, enhancing its versatility in different recording scenarios.
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Critic Reviews
4.0 out of 5
Based on 1 Review and 4 Ratings
41029
Drum kit specialist.
This is a side address small diaphragm condenser with a similar form factor to certain side address sony pencil condensers. There are few microphones like it at this price point. It excels in tight spaces like drum kits. It seems to be marketed as a hihat mic but I find it's best suited to close miking rack toms. The small, light body allow you to put a pair on a stereo bar mounted on a single stand and position them to taste, even fully parallel to the heads, without getting in the drummer's way. The snappy audio technica condenser sound works well here although you will probably have to use a gate since a condenser doesn't reject bleed the same as a dynamic. Being small diaphragm mics the off-axus sound us very flat in response which reduces false gate triggering vs using a large diaphragm condenser. The spl handling is great so you could even drape it over a guitar cab if you ran out of stands.
Artist usage
Add artist
The band is also employing a wide selection of A-T hard-wired microphones, including the AT4050 on guitars and overheads; AT4047 on guitar cabinets; AE2500 on kick; ATM350 on rack and floor tom; ATM450 on hi-hat; AE5100 on ride; and AT835STs for audience.
Genre Usage
Based on how artists on Equipboard use this gear, it is most commonly found in the following genres.
Used With
Based on how musicians on Equipboard use Audio-Technica ATM450 Condenser Instrument Microphone, it is most commonly used with the following gear.
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