NMD! AT4050

[MDV]

I got this a couple of weeks ago, mainly to record vocals and acoustic guitars, and for the switchable polar pattern (cardioid, fig8, omni) so I can do Mid-Side properly if I need/want to.

Turns out it can do pretty much anything: I currently have it sitting infront of a V30 alongside an SM57 recording Most Brutal Metal at the moment and its doing a great job of it.

The most notable thing about its sound is that it really barely has one. Its quite remarkably accurate, and what you hear wherever you place it is what you get, plus just a little tiny boost in the very low end and in the high mids (very smooth though; like a small upkick has been applied with a nice EQ). Makes micing easier, when the sound 'in the room' (i.e. in that exact place in the room) and through the mic are so similar.

This ones not mine, but you get the idea



I also got another SM57, because the SM57 is awesome and you cant have too many, and if you dont agree then youre wrong, sorry, another NT1A, and an audix F14 to give me at least a fighting chance at not having to replace acoustic kick sounds, but they're all mics that everyone knows about already.

This thread was brough to you by Hunters NMD thread and me not quite twigging that mics can and should have threads too!

[hunter]

Nice. I am not such a mic nerd, but now I got 3.

SM57
E609
Heil PR20

I dig the Heil a lot. The Sennheiser not so much, it's nice smack on the center of the speaker, mixed with a SM57, but overall I find it too soft.

[MDV]

I've never liked clips of the 609 that I've heard. Been occasionally impressed by the 906, though.

I'm only a little bit of a mic nerd. Nothing at all compared to many out there. Theres a huge amount of variation between them, as well you likely know. Cant have too many, IMO (I have 8, I think, a number which will certainly increase....SM57 x 2, NT1A x2 AT4050, MD421, i5, F14, yes, 8).

[38thBeatle]

I agree, mics are unsung bits of kit and I have a fondness for the SM57 too. I keep thinking of getting something like that new one you have Mark but having said that, I think I'd use my Mate's studio if I was doing any serious recording. I use one of my SM58's at home if I do any recording for quickness.

[MDV]

SM58 is a wise all-rounder. Its probably the only mic I know of that I think I *should* have but dont.

That said, I sort of do have one. Two, even. The 57 and 58 have identical capsules, but the ball end of a 58 contains a windshield/popfilter that allows it to be instantly and safely applied to vocals. It does change the sound very, very slightly, but they're basically the same mic.

I'm really surprised that mics dont get more discussion round here, but then perhaps its that not everyone records as regularly/enthusiastically. As a regularly recording person, and with a fairly robust hatred of 'modellers', I put mics on a higher level than speakers in importance, or woods in the guitar. I only dont have them up with amps and pickups in how strongly they affect your sound because they dont (strongly at least) affect the level of distortion/gain you can create.

[Denim n Leather]

Nice. I am not such a mic nerd, but now I got 3.

SM57
E609
Heil PR20

That's all you need for tracking guitar, besides a ribbon mic.

[Denim n Leather]

The 4050 is a serious mic! Congrats!

[hunter]

Ribbon mic is not for me, I am too clumsy, it wouldn't survive more than a month or two I reckon  :lol:

I heard good stuff about the SM7B, anyone got experience with these for tracking guitar?

[Denim n Leather]

Ribbon mic is not for me, I am too clumsy, it wouldn't survive more than a month or two I reckon  :lol:

I heard good stuff about the SM7B, anyone got experience with these for tracking guitar?

You should look into a Senny 441 first ...

[MDV]

The 4050 is a serious mic! Congrats!

Thanks :)

[PhilKing]

I have a 4050 & 4037, both are great mics.  Try them on acoustics and you will get a great sound easily.  I'm a bit of a mic hog and have about a dozen different mics but woud always recommend that you need an SM57 around.

[hunter]

I have a 4050 & 4037, both are great mics.  Try them on acoustics and you will get a great sound easily.  I'm a bit of a mic hog and have about a dozen different mics but woud always recommend that you need an SM57 around.

If I had to chose for just ONE mic I'd have taken the 57 anyday, but now I wonder - I might prefer the PR20. It's a cheap mic but it sounds great!

[Denim n Leather]

I have a 4050 & 4037, both are great mics.  Try them on acoustics and you will get a great sound easily.  I'm a bit of a mic hog and have about a dozen different mics but woud always recommend that you need an SM57 around.

If I had to chose for just ONE mic I'd have taken the 57 anyday, but now I wonder - I might prefer the PR20. It's a cheap mic but it sounds great!

You're not alone in that camp. LOTS of ppl in the US prefer the Heil over Shure these days ...

[roland_rat]

Congrats on the mic.  Intresting thread, like people have said we do not here enough about mic's on this forum.