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Audio
Technica 4047/SV |
The
Audio Technica 4047/SV design is based on the early Fet mics,
namely the U47
fet from which it gets its name and the amplifier is transformer
coupled with a specially tuned element intended to emulate the
fantastic bottom end of the classic German mic. It's not quite
as detailed in the highs as the other Audio Technica studio mic,
the 4050, but the top end has a very distinctive mellow/ velvety
character that really gives it a special feel. The mic has a dual
diaphragm, cardioid polar pattern and a maximum input sound level
of 149 dB SPL which means it can handle some serious volume. Its
typical self-noise is only 9 dB SPL (A-weighted) so at maximum
SPL it has a dynamic range of 140 dB.The mic is finished in matt
silver unlike the usual AT studio range of black mics and at the
bottom of the body a pair of switches engage a 10 dB pad and a
12 dB/octave, 80 Hz low-cut filter.
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Recording |
When I worked in the studio full time I discovered that
I could get a great kick drum sound by using a large diaphragm
dynamic such as a D12
or Sennheiser
421 inside the drum near the beater but the secret weapon
was to use the Neumann
U47fet a few inches outside the front
skin. The bottom end on the Neumann was like nothing else I
could get from the other mics in the studio, so when I heard
that Audio Technica had designed a mic to emulate the characteristics
of the 47 fet I went out and bought one for the mobile. I had
always liked the sound of the Audio Technica mics and they seem
very good value for money. The Audio Technica 4047 is very attractive
with its matt silver finish. It's a solidly built piece of kit
and comes with a very nice shock mount. To emulate the Neumann,
the amplifier is transformer coupled and has a specially tuned
element to create that "oh my god" bottom end of the
original and while it still doesn’t have all the character
of the Neumann it's a great option for anyone who can't find/afford
the original. It really is great on close headed kick drums
about 8" off the front head and aimed dead centre it gives
a really nice balance of highs and lows. Obviously most kick
drums are pretty heavily EQ'd and compressed but the more you
have to start with, the better the end result. So while the
bottom end is pretty good the Audio Technica 4047 also has a
really nice top end and while it's not quite as detailed in
the highs as some other large diaphragm condensers it sounds
great on most acoustic instruments and vocals. It's a very smooth
classy top end and I always use it on female vocals but whatever
you use it on won't disappoint. It's obviously good on bass
instruments but I've used it on loud rock guitars with great
success. All in all a really smooth performer that makes a pretty
good job of anything you throw at it. Occasionally on a mobile
I set up a mid and side pair closer to the choir than the Soundfield
for some more detail and the AT 4047 is great as the mid mic
with plenty of output and very quiet. It would be very interesting
if AT made a multi pattern version.JR.
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