Audio Techica 4047SV

Audio Technica 4047
 

The Ribbon mics continue to impress with a great new acoustic session from Graham Hodge CHECK IT OUT. The BIG IDEA is to run a studio recording materclass weekend. Look out for details!!!!!!!!!

Condenser mics
Dynamic
Ribbon Microphones
Stereo Microphones
Boundary Microphones
ADK A-51TL
AEA R84
AKG C414
AKG D12
AKG D112 E
AMS 250 Soundfield
Audio Technica 4047SV
Beyer M201
Blue Mouse
Rode NT5
Sennheiser MD441
Shure SM7B
 
Audio Technica 4047

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.

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.

 
 
 
 
Microphones and recording 2008. Audio Technica 4047 Microphones