Overheads - AT4040 vs MC-012

yesac81 · 25th March 2008

OK guys
If you had to choose one pair, what would it be, Audio Technica's AT4040 or Oktava's MC-012?

jbsg02 · 30th March 2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by yesac81

OK guys
If you had to choose one pair, what would it be, Audio Technica's AT4040 or Oktava's MC-012?

i can say the 4050's kill on overheads, but would be a bit more for 2 of those than 2 4040's

audiovisceral · 4th April 2008

josephson c42 if in budget

HeavyG · 8th May 2008

...I will try to answer the question that was asked...

The Oktavas are outstanding...versatile...and the Joly mod will make them very special. I am not familiar with the 4040 (although I hear they are solid). I would lean to the Oktavas...

D. Rumble · 8th May 2008

I was once considering getting a second AT4040 so I could use them for overheads. The 4040 kills on just about anything (vocals, acoustic guitar, ambiance).
I borrowed a second 4040 and tried them on my kit... MUCH too harsh. Though there is nice detail, the cymbals almost seemed distorted, no matter how high I put the mics (and obviously with the -10dB switches engaged). The highs were just too harsh.
I then tried an AT4050, which sounded sweet. Similar, but without the harshness.
In any event, these experiments also convinced me that using large diaphragm mics on overheads can sound good, but can be a pain. The phasing problems I got were about twice as much as with small diaphragm mics. Very time consuming, trying to move things around till the phasing problems are gone (or fixing all the phasing problems in Cubase).

The AT4040 is an awesome mic, but not ideal for overheads, imo.
I'd go for the Oktava's. Though my personal favorite is still the Shure SM81...

When recording drums, I use the AT4040 about 2 feet in front of my kick. Gives you that Bonham "boom" (the low-end in the AT4040 is nice and clean, but big, as long at you don't stuff the kick drum with pillows/blankets/curtains/pets).

d.

rico52 · 9th May 2008

I always return to SDC's and that would be SM81's.
I would like to try others for $ure but>>>>>>>>>>>>>$$$$$

yesac81 · 17th May 2008

i ended up getting the 4050's. nice... very nice...
they are quite bright, but still smooth. i'd pick them for a nice even tone for overheads. they are positively beautiful on acoustic as well.

phaqu · 18th May 2008

Barring the U87, I am a fan of SDCs on overheads. It may be me but I always seem to have a hard time getting LDCs to sound right.
The Oktavas are really not that bad at all. Ive had my un-modded pair for about 9 years and thats all I had for OHs back then (at least that I liked). They still sound pretty good.

25th March 2008	#1
yesac81 Gear maniac Joined: Apr 2007 Location: Sydney Posts: 173 Thread Starter	Overheads - AT4040 vs MC-012 OK guys If you had to choose one pair, what would it be, Audio Technica's AT4040 or Oktava's MC-012? __________________ thermos - someone told me its due to a low microferet value whatever thing, I don't know anything about that stuff

8th May 2008	#4
HeavyG Lives for gear Joined: Apr 2007 Posts: 821	Back in the USSR ...I will try to answer the question that was asked... The Oktavas are outstanding...versatile...and the Joly mod will make them very special. I am not familiar with the 4040 (although I hear they are solid). I would lean to the Oktavas... __________________ Nelly Drummer, Vocalist, Project Studio Stunt Pilot “My vocation is more in composition really than anything else - building up harmonies using the guitar, orchestrating the guitar like an army, a guitar army.” Jimmy Page

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4th April 2008	#3
audiovisceral Lives for gear Joined: Apr 2006 Posts: 1,546	josephson c42 if in budget

8th May 2008	#5
D. Rumble Gear maniac Joined: Feb 2008 Location: NYC Posts: 197	I was once considering getting a second AT4040 so I could use them for overheads. The 4040 kills on just about anything (vocals, acoustic guitar, ambiance). I borrowed a second 4040 and tried them on my kit... MUCH too harsh. Though there is nice detail, the cymbals almost seemed distorted, no matter how high I put the mics (and obviously with the -10dB switches engaged). The highs were just too harsh. I then tried an AT4050, which sounded sweet. Similar, but without the harshness. In any event, these experiments also convinced me that using large diaphragm mics on overheads can sound good, but can be a pain. The phasing problems I got were about twice as much as with small diaphragm mics. Very time consuming, trying to move things around till the phasing problems are gone (or fixing all the phasing problems in Cubase). The AT4040 is an awesome mic, but not ideal for overheads, imo. I'd go for the Oktava's. Though my personal favorite is still the Shure SM81... When recording drums, I use the AT4040 about 2 feet in front of my kick. Gives you that Bonham "boom" (the low-end in the AT4040 is nice and clean, but big, as long at you don't stuff the kick drum with pillows/blankets/curtains/pets). d.

9th May 2008	#6
rico52 Gear addict Joined: Jun 2006 Location: Surfside Fla Posts: 330	I always return to SDC's and that would be SM81's. I would like to try others for $ure but>>>>>>>>>>>>>$$$$$

17th May 2008	#7
yesac81 Gear maniac Joined: Apr 2007 Location: Sydney Posts: 173 Thread Starter	i ended up getting the 4050's. nice... very nice... they are quite bright, but still smooth. i'd pick them for a nice even tone for overheads. they are positively beautiful on acoustic as well.

18th May 2008	#8
phaqu Gear addict Joined: Apr 2006 Location: Atl GA Posts: 430	Barring the U87, I am a fan of SDCs on overheads. It may be me but I always seem to have a hard time getting LDCs to sound right. The Oktavas are really not that bad at all. Ive had my un-modded pair for about 9 years and thats all I had for OHs back then (at least that I liked). They still sound pretty good.