Audio-Technica AT4021 Small-Diaphragm Cardioid Condenser Microphone

Comments about Audio-Technica AT4021 Small-Diaphragm Cardioid Condenser Microphone:

I use this for orchestral recording and get good results.

AT does not offer matched pair, but they are well matched despite I received mics that have serial no. of 263 & 1454.

Comments about Audio-Technica AT4021 Small-Diaphragm Cardioid Condenser Microphone:

Great SDC- super flat and detailed in the right way on fingerpicked acoustic guitar.

Comments about Audio-Technica AT4021 Small-Diaphragm Cardioid Condenser Microphone:

I use an Apogee Duet, through a G5 running Tiger with Dynaudio BM5's as my main monitors.

I decided on this SDC mainly because of its relatively flat frequency response; I prefer capturing the sound as clean as possible.

After completing some test recordings with a Takamine classical guitar and a Big Baby Taylor acoustic guitar, I was pretty pleased with the results; it kept the recording pretty faithful to the original sound, but wasn't too transparent in which it lacked any "air"- the stuff that makes the KM84/184 what it is.

I also tested it in a live situation through a Fender/SUNN SR6300 PA system, with only an eighth turn CCW from 12 o' clock on the bass EQ to curb the system's pronounced bass response. (I could've used the high pass switch on the mic, but access to it requires a narrow-ended object.) The sound had surprising presence, and wasn't mushy like most PA system tend to make any sound put through them.

I didn't use the 10dB pad switch, since I didn't have a snare or access to a guitar amp as per this review.

It doesn't have that special "air" that a KM184 has, but then again, you wouldn't be reading this review if you had the money and are looking for something like it, right? The bottom line is, it is a great versatile instrument mic that works well in many studio and live situations. I really recommend this mic if you are looking for a good first SDC (or if you're looking for an addition to your other SDCs.)

Comments about Audio-Technica AT4021 Small-Diaphragm Cardioid Condenser Microphone:

I run a small project studio and am lucky enough to have a well-stocked micrphone locker. I'd heard many good things about the AT4021, and when I saw B&H's amazingly low price, I bought one. I immediately set about comparing this small-diameter cardiod (SDC) mic to some world-class competition: An AKG 451B, a Microtech-Gefell M295 and a Beyerdynamic MC930. Even though the 4021 didn't have the amazing clarity or 3D presence of the M295 (my favorite mic for recording large-bodied acoustic guitars and such), it had about 85% of the sound quality, for 1/7th the price! That's a terrific deal in my book. I think anyone with a decent recording setup will realize stellar results from this mic. At B&H's great price, I'd recommend buying TWO AT4021's and using them to record in stereo.

Comments about Audio-Technica AT4021 Small-Diaphragm Cardioid Condenser Microphone:

I bought two for recording guitar and some band concerts. So far I have worked with these on acoustic guitar, stereo and mono mic'd, both near field and far field. To me, these mics sound incredibly clear and accurate. Zero noise that I can detect. I am really pleased with these. They sound much better than the Shure SM57 and noticeably better then my AT3035 LDC mics.

I have had no problems. I run them at 0dB and with the 80Hz filter on. These are feeding a Presonus interface and a Mac running Logic Express 9. It's a dream set-up.