Audio Technica AT4081 Ribbon mic

[cyjanopan]

I don`t think there is anything besides the transformer (even if there is any) in the AT ribbon mic, and I think it`s just broken based on sample. And actually I don`t believe in burning in ribbons, it`s not like they don`t "hear" anything before you connect it. It can be case with headphones, but microphones hear everything even if they`re in car (low frequencies) or warehouse.

[Igor2012]

Originally Posted by cyjanopan

I don`t think there is anything besides the transformer (even if there is any) in the AT ribbon mic...

Wrong. The AT4081 has active electronics. From the description on AT's website:

Phantom-powered active electronics provide stable impedance and higher output for maximum compatibility with microphone preamplifiers

[cyjanopan]

oops, my bad.

[spiral]

Originally Posted by Succulence

Do you have a preference between these mics for guitar? Have you tried them on vocals? I just ordered a Vin-Jet with a Lundhal and currently have a Velo 8.

Sound-wise: no preference yet because i can't tell the difference. I'm actually tracking everything i can right now with the 4081 and VinJet to find some kind of difference. I just tried them both recording a vocal at the same distance and i can't tell the difference between them (like, zero difference). So if you were hoping for a clear winner, that comparison will be even worse. I can post clips. I never liked ribbons before with my voice but both of these guys sound really nice! My voice is similar to an electric guitar though: very limited frequency range (out of tune) and which won't reveal much difference between them.

Next on my list is acoustic archtop guitar.

[spiral]

I tried the two mics on an oval hole archtop tonight. Now i can finally hear a difference. The AT 4081 has more information between 3k-5k and the VinJet has a bunch more bass. You can see it in the attachment below, but it is obvious to my ears too.

[Earcatcher]

Here is a recording that I recently made with the AT4081 from a clavicimbalum, which is a predecessor of the harpsichord. See more about the intrument here: Harpsi - The Clavisimbalum of Henri Arnaut de Zwolle. Normally this instrument produces a very piercing metallic sound in recordings, when done with condenser mics. This recording was made during a live concert, at a distance of some 80cm above the strings and was meant as a spot mic position to blend with the overall image. No EQ has been applied yet.

[Kris]

Nice sound!

[doug hazelrigg]

Originally Posted by Igor2012

It sounds like the mic's internal electronics might be clipping.

Or the ribbon has been stretched so that it's response is compromised. However, the materials these new ribbons use isn't supposed to be susceptible to that as much... plus, he's tried 3 of them with the same result. My guess is that this particular mic can't handle high SPL that emanates from a cranked, over-driven amp (I've had this with one other popular latter-day ribbon)

[Matt Hepworth]

OP, any word on the issue with AT through Sweetwater?

[spiral]

I did a quick comparison on an oval hole archtop pointing the Vinjet and AT4081 where the neck meets the body angled about 45° towards the body 15" away. The vinjet seems to have more lows and mid-lows at that distance and the 4081 seems to have a little more transient and upper-end info. They sound very similar though and i think they could work as a stereo pair with the Vinjet on the body getting the meat and the 4081 on the neck getting the potatoes.

There are markers in the track but it alternates: 2 bars 4081, same 2 bars again of Vinjet.
http://www.soundcloud.com/spiesteleviv/at4081-vs-vinjet/s-dms9r

[Noto]

I bought the AT 4081 and it's great for classical flute, the trebles are very smooth, not harsh at all.
BUT
there seems to be a bit of hum in the mic.
My condensor mics have a hiss for their self-noise but this seems to have a faint hum.
Is this normal for this mic?

[spiral]

Originally Posted by Noto

My condensor mics have a hiss for their self-noise but this seems to have a faint hum.
Is this normal for this mic?

Yes with the active electronics it seems to be the case with this mic. I've mentioned it before and there are previous posts saying the same. It really is one of the few drawbacks of this mic.

[Noto]

Thank you for the reply, Spiral.
This is my 2nd one, the first one had a LOT of hum so I sent it back to the dealer and this new one seems much quieter.
I'll try it out on a classical violinist this week.

[Noto]

What are some of the other drawbacks?