AT 4033

[Mandomania]

I just bought an AT 4033 C/L because that's the one Del McCoury uses, according to these pages. I used it at practice with a minimal recording setup and of course it sounded great, really great, #to my untrained ear. In an earlier thread, someone said the AT 4040 had replaced the 4033. So what did I get? Does anyone know what the "C/L" stands for? No one in the shop seemed to know.

[TonyP.]

I think that was also the thread that said because of the outcry when they tried to discontinue the 4033 they had to reissue it with some letters after it. I have one of the original 4033's and really have not kept up with what's going on with Audio Technica. They have to most bewildering number system I could ever imagine and mic for every application! Luckily I got my 4033 and 4031 as a package deal from a friend who knows his stuff. They have both been as good a mic as I could want, dependable and great sounding for stage or recording. I did get a deal on the 4050 and that has proven to be an incredible mic too. All of mine are early versions with no letter designations. The last 4033 with letter designations on it I saw said SE and I just guessed that was "second edition".

[BenE]

I think C/L means classic....Not 100% on this one but I have an older one and a new one with the C/L on it.

[Jonathan Reinhardt]

I'm curious as to the leaning toward the AT 4033 by many here. Why not the AT 4047?
And another question - why the capacitor mic vs. the condenser (specifically the Shure KSM32). I understand these are all cardioid patterns (I'm not going to bring in the multiple pattern choices) and I do know the specs of each of these. But the only one I've actually worked with is the KSM32.
I'm soon to purchase something to end this toting, setting up, and dealing with a full board of individual mics. I am leaning toward the AT 4047 based on it's apparent attributes and some of my friends' recommendations.
Can someone who has used both an AT and a Shure speak up? I, too, would surely appreciate some enlightenment.
(I also am going back to reread the previous thread.)
Thanks.
---------
rasa

[Clyde Clevenger]

I've heard all the arguments from all the "experts", and don't buy most of it. I've used a 4033 for about 6 years now and still find it sounds great. We have used a 4047 for the last six months or so, Ken (Cartwright) thinks it sounds better, I can't tell, but then I'm not the sound man in the group. Anyway, I'm keeping my 4033.

[TonyP.]

I agree with Clyde, you can talk specs till your blue in the face but it's what your ear hears that makes the difference.
The 4047 was designed to mimic the sound of the U47, which is a "sound". I've not tried a 4047 but the reviews I've read were not complimentary in my book as they all mentioned them as a niche mic with a "vintage" sound. All mics sound different and as far as I know a condenser and a capacitor are the same thing. I ended up with a AT 4033 and I see no need to change, if it ain't broke. To each his own, but they will have to pry my AT's outa my hands ;)

[Talon]

Capacitor & Condensor are the same. There are differences within condensor mics though, that make a big difference. The size of the diaphragm and the material used for it. Whether it is a single or dual-diaphragm. Whether or not it is transformerless or has a transformer, and the type of transformer used. And the frequency response, whether it is designed to be flat or has been tailored in certain frequencies to give it a certain sound for vocals as an example, like the Shure KSM32 mentioned above, and most Shure mics in general. They have a boost in certain frequencies, that give them the Shure sound(I think Shure boosts the 2k and 5k). Some like an AKG C414 are designed to be totally flat. They are good for many critical recordings of stringed instruments that may have many complex overtones, and vocals. With these you get out what you put in, with no coloration.

The 4033 is a single,medium diaphragm, transformerless mic. The 4047 is a double,large diaphragm, with an FET transformer, to give the sound of vintage FET mics, that were used years ago. The 4050 like a 4040 is single, large diaphragm, transformerless, except it has 3 polar patterns. The 4060 is a dual, large diaphragm, transformer, tube mic, and they are another type. The tube adds lots of warmth, great for vocals and stringed instruments.

[GTison]

WE HAVE 2 4033s. one is newer than the other and with differnt letters on the end of the "4033". the newer one puts out more than the old one. the spec sheet says it a higher db . but the difference is noticable for sure.

[TonyP.]

Wow, my old 4033 is what I'd consider a hot mic. We never had to worry about output. The one thing I wish I did have was a windsock for it. If there is even a breeze it makes the speakers pump. I know somebody makes one, I bumped into it one time. Didn't book mark it though, doh!

[GTison]

the reason we noticed the difference is because we were running both at one time.

Wind sock. I would like to have one but when I checked at the music store they were about 30 bucks or some high price. Someone suggested cutting the end out of a common size one ( like for a sm57) pulling it down like a sock and then putting another one on the top part. It works, and looks OK. So that's what we use.