AT4050 opinions or better LDC in the 400 - 800 dollar range

[David R.]

I love the 4050, very flexible mic, but I use mainly for instruments. I just have not found the right vocalist to make me say it is great for vocals.

I would say a better bet in the same price range is the AT4047.

[mixerguy]

a used AT 4060 for about $600

or new $850 if you really shop around

thumbsup

[lowfreq33]

The 4050 wouldn't be my first choice for soft vocals - it doesn't have a huge output. It might work if you have a really quiet and clean pre.

[Klauth]

I use both of my 4050's for room mic's. they sound very, "real" for this purpose! you wont be disappointed !!!

[drumkideric]

IMHO the 4050 is one of the top mics in that price range. It is just a great mic to have around.

[Pandemonium]

I don't own a AT4050, but listening the clips in http://www.***************.com/jamroomsessions_home.php
i've found that the AT40XX series are a little bit muddy, with very low output. Not enought presence and definition to my tastes.
I own a Baby bottle. I was planning to update to a AT4050, but listening to these clips, I will remain with my Baby bottle, which I feel sounds more open in the top end.

What do you guys think?

Pandemonium

[JimmySX]

I've posted another quick sample of the AT4050 hooked op to an Api 512c.
Just have another listen if you like

YouSendIt - Send large files - transfer delivery - FTP Replacement

Gr. Jimmy

[Clarence]

4050 is a great and versatile mic but my first choice for softer voices out of the AT 40xx series would be the 4047. Great mid-range and absolutly no risk of harshness.

Another good choice would be the Shure KSM 44 – smooth and nice highs.



Clarence

[heisleyamor]

ok so I'm between the 4047, 4050, and 4060...The 4060 looks nice cuz it's tube...any idea which mic would sound the best for soft vocals? and maybe acoustic guitar?

[heisleyamor]

the price of the 4047 is looking a lot more appealing to me. A lot of reviews say it is great on vocals and acoustic guitar which is mainly what i'm using it for. I'm not reading that it has switchable patterns though :-( ... I would like to use it as a room mic...so maybe i don't need an omni pattern...I dunno...What does everyone have to say about the 4047 for vocals? I'm reading reviews that it has some characteristics of the NTK and Neumann TLM103 but not as harsh on the highs.

[rufus13]

Contrary to a previous post, AT 4050 is among the most sensitive LDC's at any price. For a vocal mic, it may not be colored enough for your taste. For all-around duty, 4050 in an AT shockmount with fresh elastic is hard to beat in the price/quality race. Sure, a fancy preamp is great, but it will shine on cheap ones too.

If you have $5-$80 to spare, an EV 635a is a very smooth-sounding omni model that might be perfect for your application. If not, it works great up close to guitar speaker cones.

Cheers.

[heisleyamor]

so AT4050 or AT4047 for Vocals/acoustic guitar?

[dviola]

I just got a BLUE Dragonfly (on sale for 500 at GC...black friday) and I'm living it. Great for MY vocals but I think the real trick here is to see what works for you. Definately check out BLUE though.

Good luck

[longfade]

Originally Posted by Pandemonium

I don't own a AT4050, but listening the clips in http://www.***************.com/jamroomsessions_home.php
i've found that the AT40XX series are a little bit muddy, with very low output. Not enought presence and definition to my tastes.
I own a Baby bottle. I was planning to update to a AT4050, but listening to these clips, I will remain with my Baby bottle, which I feel sounds more open in the top end.

What do you guys think?

Pandemonium

I hardly know what I'm doing so this probably doesn't mean much, but my experience is similar to yours. I have the 4050 and the Baby Bottle. Obviously radically different mics, and neither are ideal for my particular voice. A previous poster opined that the 4050 might not be 'colored' enough for many, and I think that might be why I don't reach for it usually when I'm recording myself. It doesn't really have that flattering presence boost that other mics have. But I'm in an imperfect listening / recording environment so I've reserved real judgment on ANY of my stuff until I can get into a bigger, better space. I do think it's a wonderful mic and I'm really glad I have it.

[heisleyamor]

I'm hearing from a lot of people that the dragonfly is amazing on guitar but doesn't work on a lot of vocals. I'm really tryin to narrow it down to AT cuz there are too many mics out there haha

[noizemakerz]

+1 4047..

Love it on singers especially..

[heisleyamor]

I'm also still looking at the Rode K2... MySpace.com - Number One Gun (New Record coming out 1/15/08 - CHICO, California - Rock / Indie / Alternative - www.myspace.com/numberonegun i'm pretty sure he's using it there and it sounds great and it was rated best LDC in the studio in some magazine in like 2003 or 2004 ... doesn't mean much...but let me know what you think... K2? AT4050? AT4047?

[diamondjim]

Originally Posted by heisleyamor

I'm also still looking at the Rode K2... MySpace.com - Number One Gun (New Record coming out 1/15/08 - CHICO, California - Rock / Indie / Alternative - www.myspace.com/numberonegun i'm pretty sure he's using it there and it sounds great and it was rated best LDC in the studio in some magazine in like 2003 or 2004 ... doesn't mean much...but let me know what you think... K2? AT4050? AT4047?

I love my K2 and its continuously variable pattern, has a lush, darker sound compared to the only other AT I own, the 4033, so I can't compare to those, but it certainly will be different that the 4050. Got mine for $600, new, at a local music store (I think they still have one at that price).

[666666]

How about the AT4050 verses the new 414 XLS?

I heard a new 414 XLS recently and it sounded VERY detailed, a lot of top end... maybe too much even...??? I only heard it once in an unfamiliar setting so I could be wrong.

Opinions on 414 XLS vs AT4050?

[Benjy King]

Originally Posted by 666666

How about the AT4050 verses the new 414 XLS?

I heard a new 414 XLS recently and it sounded VERY detailed, a lot of top end... maybe too much even...??? I only heard it once in an unfamiliar setting so I could be wrong.

Opinions on 414 XLS vs AT4050?

The AKG is almost twice the price of the 4050.

You cannot go wrong with the AT4050 for both acosutic guitar and vocals, of just about any kind.

[666666]

Originally Posted by Benjy King

The AKG is almost twice the price of the 4050.

Well, the 414 XLS is around $950 and the AT4050 is around $600. The original poster said he was looking for a mic in the $400 - $800 range... the 414 XLS comes close enough and should be considered. I'd love to know how these mics compare.

[Pandemonium]

I think for Vocals and guitar the B XL-II would be a better choice, with extra presence.