Large Diaphragm Condenser Shootout: AT4050, NT2000, AT4033a, Sputnik

4 great large diaphragm condenser mics go head to head! The key to which mic is which is at the end of the video. Download this video for better quality.

Mic Shootout Key: 6:21

I set up these 4 mics in an array so that I can do one performance into all 4 mics at once, then level matched the results so the only difference you hear is the character of each mic. You'll hear voice over, guitar, singing, shaker, drum, tambourine samples played back to back.

Download the raw audio files: http://precisionintermedia.com/chadswebstuff/

Category:

Science & Technology

Tags:

• Large Diaphragm Condenser
• ldc
• Shootout
• AT4050
• NT2000
• AT4033a
• Sputnik
• mic
• microphone
• rode
• chad johnson
• M-Audio
• Audio Technica

[kawasakikid800]

ive bought the at4050 and i need to ask a shameful question which i need answering. here it goes.... i didnt know top end mics needed expensive preamps or interfaces so now i have to buy one of those. what is the minimum amount i could spend to power this mic considerign i do need good qality recordings. im not being tights just need an approximate figure and any suggestions would be really helpful. Thanks guys

[ChadWork1]

@kawasakikid800 You don't need an expensive preamp to run these mics. Any amp that supplies 48v Phantom power will do. Sure, expensive preamps are better and take your mic to a new level, but anything will work. For 2 channels of input try the Focusrite Saffire Pro 14 Audio interface for 250.00 - a nice sounding preamp. If you want top of the top for 1,500.00 try the all tube Universal Audio LA-610 Mk II Classic Tube Recording Channel. Middle of the road stuff - check out MOTU.

[alpiel91]

question: to record male vocals for pop/comercial metal a la linkin park (with some guttural here and there, the raspy kind)what would fit best. I already own an M-Audio Nova, witch behaves pretty well with instruments but sounds to bright when it comes to vocals. Should i get a dynamic mic to use in conjunction with the Nova (like an SM7B or a Beta 58) or get an AT 4033 (I found one for 160 bucks, although it looks like it was dropped into the fire, the owner claims that it works perfectly)

[ChadWork1]

@alpiel91 At4033 is too bright. Try a Rode NT2-A - the same as an NT2000, but cheaper. Great on make vocals. No need to throw a dynamic mic in there.

[AUdioHipster]

@deadbirdsings Hey don't be fooled... a if i had the cash the mic pre is where i would put my money, a 57 thru a good desk can blow your mind. what is true is you can buy a low cost mic like a MC-520 or their Ribbon mic. plug it into a NPNG... then take any non tube True C mic or passive ribbon, I don't care if you spent 10,000 on the mic. thru a basic interface pre. the low cost condenser thru the NPNG will blow the doors off the overpriced other, every-time, a good pre makes all the difference

[AUdioHipster]

correct me if i am wrong... but the AT4033a is not a "True" large condenser matter of fact i don't think it is a large condenser at all... i believe it is a back electret condenser. great for acoustic altho... for vocal the tube Sputnik stands out... i find these to be smoother in that upper range, the 4050 has always been a good mic to have in your locker, the older 40 series made in Japan are preferred by some. AudioHipster will be doing some samples on some fantastic Recording Tools mic's

[kawasakikid800]

@deadbirdsings thanks for your help. ive actually bought the focusrite scarlett 8i6 amp and it sounds pretty good. ive also got a at4050 going through it so thats a nice mic. id have bought a top end one if i had the money but sadly i don't. seems your right

[deadbirdsings]

@ChadWork1 wrote: "Vimeo doesn't molest the audio the way YouTube does."

Maybe, but does it make sense to pick a mic that sounds like crap on YouTube considering that in today's world, your mix will most likely end up being listened to in some data-reduced format?

[deadbirdsings]

@kawasakikid800 - Don't let anyone persuade you that you need a "high-end" boutique preamp to get the most out of your new mic. The preamp makes far less of a difference to the sound than most "audiophile" sound recording guys are wont to admit. 10 years ago, you had to take their word for it, but now you don't have to -- there's a video on YouTube called "Microphone Preamp Comparison Test #2" which demonstrates how little difference there is. The preamps on any decent tabletop mixer will do.

[deadbirdsings]

I consistently picked out the AT4050 as sounding bad. All the other mics were alright, but I found that one harsh and grating. I was surprised upon seeing that the mic I didn't like was the AT4050, since it's gotten so much praise from "golden eared" recording engineers over the years. The samples on AT's website are equally harsh and unpleasant.

[Linoleum027]

NUMBA 3!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[kawasakikid800]

@ChadWork1 thanks for reply ive read ur comment and done some more research. ive purchased the focusrite 8i6 interface as it has phantom power and works well with fl studio. should be good hopefully