Audio-Technica AT4040 Condenser Mic Review (vs RØDE NT1, AT2035, King Bee II, Lewitt 440, LA220)

[@Leo9ine]

Subbed for life for the kitty purr test. Should be the new standard for all mic reviews

[@dumdumbrown4225]

Great test. Thank you! I did expect the King Bee mic to be a little warmer in sound. And I’d always bet on an Audiotechnica over a Rode although I’m Australian. Rode measures the self noise in their NT1s in dB-A whereas Audiotechnica measures the self noise in their AT4040s in dB-SPL. These are different units of measurement and the measurement techniques also differ to a degree. To make Audiotechnica’s dB-SPL into Rode’s dB-A you would subtract about 7 from it especially given the AT4040’s higher SPL capabilities. This is why when actually recording ‘silence’ with both mics via a computer/DAW you will see around the same self-noise for both mics. The NT1 isn’t actually more silent than the AT4040 in application. Hope this helps 😊

[@tombuck]

There’s something really special about large diaphragm condensers. This one sounds great, but dang, so do all the others! AT makes some fantastic microphones.

[@AudioHotline]

Hey Tom! Absolutely, I love all of these mics! It’s a great price point. I was blown away to see a lot of these drop in price recently! The NT1a is down to $199, NT1 at $228, and at4040 at $250. Amazing prices for all of these mics! They weren’t even overpriced to begin with. Makes me wonder if Rode and Audio Technica have plans to release some new large diaphragm condenser mics around the $300 price point 🤔. Not that these mics really need an upgrade or anything haha, but I’d still love to see a new one come out from those companies. Thanks for the comment man!

[@tombuck]

@@AudioHotline ooh that’s an interesting theory. I’m just happy to see prices actually going down on something 😁

[@AudioHotline]

@@tombuck that’s very true! Definitely one of the very few things that have actually went down in price recently…. Unlike the cat food we buy! 😂 I am sure you have experienced that with your dogs. You have a couple right? It’s gotten crazy how much pet food has gone up.

[@And-c7n]

@@AudioHotline Yes pet food has gone up so much I have taken to catching Sylvester's in traps filled with ACME TNT to feed me tweedy pie! :-) I watched two ads again for ye!

[@alexlechanteur3606]

I have this Mic and it is a killer mic for the price. So versatile. I have the 4040, a tlm103, a telefunken ak47 and sometimes it wins over them. If you dont know what mic to use on a source, its a really good start. It also takes processing really well, if you can't make this mic sound good, you're doing something wrong

[@sung_yun]

I have an AT4040 and it sounds really good, and for the price imo it definitely deserves the grade of A. I actually prefer it over my NT1 and LCT 440--it looks nicer and has a larger sound. King Bee II definitely sounds processed for the bottom, I returned it promptly. I like my LA220 over AT4040 though, although it's not as well designed and made. Nice review, thanks.

[@AudioHotline]

Thank you! I definitely agree with you! With the price change, it moves it up a half a grade to an A-. I have tried to be a little more strict about my grading in the last little while. My "C" grade technically means that a mic is average and you get exactly what you pay for. With that being said, a B+ is a really great mic that is worth more than you pay. My "A" territory mostly goes to mics that are a complete steal, which this one moved into with the $50 price drop. I am trying to find a way to incorporate the meaning of my grades in my videos... I have an illustration made that I may start putting in the videos. Your opinion on the other mics, in my opinion (lol), is pretty spot on. I do think if I had the at4040 back when I was using the NT1, I would have probably switched over to the AT4040. I do love the LA220, but with that price drop on the Rode and AT mics, it makes the Lauten a LITTLE less appealing at $328, but I do prefer the sound. Speaking of stuff that becomes less appealing with the price drops of those mics.... the King Bee II. It did drop to $150, which is great, but I like the other mics more... which I should, due to the price haha! I do also really love the sound of the Lewitt, but I get how some people wouldn't like the top end, but it definitely does have a "big" sound like you described. Thanks for the comment!

[@TheVagineWhisperer]

Great review and good selection of mics!

[@jasonanders4944]

Agreed. Youre also pretty funny.

[@adampalooza85]

I enjoyed C the most. Was absolutely beaming when you revealed it. Love that mic

[@badmiddens]

Liking your vids more and more. A few things. 1- Cats. That's a big fat bonus point right there. 2- B&H advertises this mic as having "exceptionally low self noise" Ehhh, for what decade? 3- I don't know if that pop filter is a Hakan or whatever. Rycote uses that sponge material, as well as Gefell I believe. Best pop filter material on the planet. I wonder how many people know that it is re-purposed aquarium filter material? (True) Carry on...

[@ut1004bp]

A good user review on the At4040, as a past owner of the At2035, and present owner of the NT1, I miss some of the upper clarity the AT2035 sometimes had, and I think I might will look for a AT4040 to add to my choice.

[@jimis3167]

I use the AT4040 and I hear zero noise in my recordings. I guess being even at 12db isn't actually a noisy microphone, but rather dead-silent. I don't know what noise you're talking about in the end. If you're just referring to measurements comparison, that doesn't matter while the mic is dead-silent when in recording, imo.

[@AudioHotline]

I think you’re misunderstanding me a little. It’s not “noisy” I never once used that term. I just said the competition does it better when it comes to noise floor level and at a cheaper price. When I review a mic I don’t only like to look at that mic, but also the competition. I like to see what the mic/product is doing better or worse than competitors at a similar price point. The rating I gave this says that obviously the noise floor isn’t a big deal. I even say “it’s not a problem”

[@jimis3167]

@@AudioHotline and I say, It's not a problem at all 😊. My point is, why compare noise on mics while all are practically silent?

[@gthevigilant_1811]

@@jimis3167 It matters to some people who use these mics in various environments. I have heard that a 12dba and below noise floor are considered very good but some people may want or need it quieter for different reasons. You're basically asking him why is he being a thorough reviewer. Now what's the point of that.

[@Danieboy]

Bro I love your content and thankyou this video helps a lot

[@jhony.5942]

Hello, AudioHotline I was wondering if you could review the MAONO PM500 XLR Microphone. The build is similar to the Lewitt I was planning to upgrade to it based on my budget and it seems pretty decent based on the reviews. I would like to have your opinion about the microphone. Thanks!

[@ourdogteddy]

On your voice I liked lct440, and la220.

[@brianbatie6650]

The NT1 sounded brighter in the high end, not sibilant, but easily identifiable. Have you tried a Rode NT 2 with a Behringer B2 pro? You might be a little surprised, especially at the price points (last time I checked...)

[@sangmojo]

I am your fan and always watch your videos. I asked you which one is the best mic for dealing with noise, because my room is very noisy. They are the Samson Q2U, ATR2100X, Maono HD300, & XM8500 (with Behringer UM2). Or if you have any other suggestions for a good noise-rejecting microphone for under $100. Thanks.

[@AudioHotline]

Hey! Thank you for your support, I appreciate it! Are you going to be using a mic for spoken word, like podcasting or streaming? Also, do you lean more toward wanting a USB mic or wanting an xlr mic and an interface?

[@sangmojo]

@@AudioHotline for speaking like podcast, i prefer usb mic because it's simplecity...

[@Leo9ine]

@@sangmojo sm57 all day

[@andrewrice9383]

E, F, A were my first likes, then it changed to b and d. I think the levels are changing too. I guess I don’t like microphones like C for spoken word. They’re all pretty good, I guess I would choose B or F for long form content

[@campar1043]

the lewitt has a nice natural presence to it

[@enriquekahn9405]

I've been curious about this mic for a while, people seem to like it but there's few reviews out there relative to its reputation, probably because it's an older mic that isn't quite a staple of the home studio like the NT1 and SM7b are. Thanks! I can't watch the video yet but I wanted to like and comment to help drive engagement.

[@AudioHotline]

Thanks dude!! I appreciate you!

[@toadamine]

i think F sounded awesome, and $110!!!

[@cjfoster8831]

I’ve had this mic for a while and I’m not sure if I need a better interface or not. I have an old M-Audio Fast Track Ultra. Would you have any recommendations? Only need maybe 1 or 2 inputs

[@johnheiser2604]

Sounds great. I bought the dynamic AT2040 yesterday and the deciding factor was my untreated room near a busy road. But yeah, a solid mic.

[@MarkBennettCameraCrisis]

I can’t believe the gall of you to mention the price. You know I find money too expensive to spend!! Unsubbed!!

[@AudioHotline]

hahaha right? That was pretty messed up of me! The struggles of making reviews dude 🤣

[@dalebishop2632]

At that price point, they all sounded good for voice

[@StovnOG]

This is really funny because though im not much of an audiophile my untrained ear thought E and F sounded the best.. and funny enough I have a AT2035 which was Microphone E lmao.

[@onlymyopiniontech]

It sounds good. To me I like all of them so pick your poison. 😳 It’s really gonna depend on what you’re going to do with it. Since I focus on KZbin they all work for that for me. 👍

[@toadamine]

its back up to $299

[@jasonw6993]

Blue is pissed!

[@AudioHotline]

It does sound like that!!! This KPT was actually our cat Grimm. He has a very fast purr! Actually, all three of our cats have very different purrs, Blue's is definitely the most traditional, Grimm's is fast and kind of chirpy, and our little girl Quila's purr is kind of snorty... she has nose problems. Blue is usually the most chill with me having a mic in front of him, but for whatever reason, he wasn't feeling it with the AT4040 haha. I love your love for the KPT! Appreciate you!

[@HarvinderSingh-yy8th]

AR 4033 is better than AT 4040.

[@AudioHotline]

That’s what I’ve heard. I have a friend who swears by it. The AT4040 was SUPPOSED to be an upgrade from the AT4033 when they discontinued it right? I am definitely considering buying one and comparing it to the AT4040.

[@sugarbait]

Hilarious intro.

[@shan5445]

The thing about condenser Microphones is they shine when you sing, when talking, Condenser mics hardly perform.

[@beinghuman3843]

Rode Nt 1 won the battle….2nd lewitt and 3rd at 4040