Audio-Technica AT4060A Studio Microphone Review

Audio-Technica‘s extremely well-crafted studio condenser microphone, the AT4060, has made it’s comeback. This powerful microphone was originally released in the 1990s, which Audio-Technica has decided to release due to some popular demands from retailers and users. It comes with a cardioid vacuum-tube condenser which provides people with the warmth and essence of classic tube sound that can be considered as vintage. No matter what the SPL spectrum is, you will get vintage quality tube sound for each shade. It has a very dynamic range which easily exceeds the range of other microphones (tube) available in the market. The AT4060A microphone captured the subtlest of nuances of instrumental and vocal performances and can even handle guitar cabinets in all kinds of SPL environments.

The AT4060A features aged tubes that are individually tested and hand-selected. It does not compromise with the required specification standards in order to offer classic, coveted sound which can only be obtained with valve design. Like the original AT4060, It can be used for all your recording needs, even in the most demanding situations. Each microphone in this series is individually tested by audio-technica for offering 100 % reliability and consistency. The microphone is very versatile, will last long and will provide you with high quality performance every time you use it. The USP of the product is certainly its ability to offer vintage sound.

Pros and cons of the Audio-Technica AT4060A studio microphone

Pros:

1. Vintage Sound – the AT4060A microphone offers vintage quality tube sound, making it ideal for all kinds of recording situations.

2. Offer clear sound – it comes with regulated heater current that helps in preventing contamination of the audio signals by noise, thus offering clear sound.

3. Optimal Performance – the microphone has been created to offer optimal performance consistently for a long period of time.

Cons:

1. Not ideal for personal use – the microphone is mainly for studio use and may not offer optimal performance in home recording sessions.

2. High price – the microphone costs more than thousand dollars, which can be considered as high by some consumers, but is worth it if you’re wanting to invest in a serious piece of equipment.

What people around the net have said about it

The user reviews of this microphone have been very positive. The users have praised the fact that the microphone is ideal for all kinds of recording environments and can used for professional studio recording sessions. They have also liked the fact that the AT4060A microphone offers very clear sound and has very low self-noise. In most cases, the users have liked the fact that the microphone offers ‘vintage quality tube sound’.

Main features of the Audio-Technica AT4060A

Offers vintage quality tube sound and versatile performance, ideal for all kinds of studio applications
Wide and dynamic range, high SPL capability (max) and low self-noise
Comes with gold diaphragms (vapor-deposited and 2 micron thick), which are created through a 5 step aging process ensuring that the microphone offer optimum performance
Its dual-diaphragm (capsule) design helps in maintaining a polar pattern (precise) definition throughout its complete frequency range
Its nickel plated brass (precision-machined), acoustic baffle help in providing optimal sensitivity and enhanced stability
Heavily filtered and regulated heater current helps in preventing contamination of the audio signals by noise
Its large transformer (coupling) provides superior quality linearity at low-frequency

Specifications of the AT4060A studio microphone

ELEMENT – DC bias (Externally polarized) condenser
SENSITIVITY (OPEN CIRCUIT) – -34 dB or 19.9 mV
FREQUENCY RESPONSE – 20 to 20,000 Hz
IMPEDANCE – 200 ohms
POWER REQUIREMENTS – AT8560 or 120V/230V AC power supply
MICROPHONE WEIGHT – 22.6 oz or 640 g
POWER SUPPLY WEIGHT – 4.19 lbs or 1.9 kg
CABLES – 32.8 inches or 10 m cable, also includes 6-pin XLR type connectors
SIGNAL TO NOISE RATIO – 75 dB
INPUT SOUND LEVEL (MAX) – 150 dBSPL or 1 kHZ @ 1 % THD; 149 dBSPL or 1 kHZ @ 0.5 % THD