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AT4040 Specification Sheet
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AT4040 Submittal Sheet
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AT4040 Cardioid Condenser Microphone

The AT4040 side-address condenser microphone features an advanced large diaphragm tensioned specifically to provide smooth, natural sonic characteristics. A marriage of technical precision and artistic inspiration, the AT4040 offers exceptionally low noise, wide dynamic range and high-SPL capability for greatest versatility. This ultra-consistent microphone may be used with confidence in a wide variety of studio and live miking applications, even under the stringent demands of digital recording systems. The AT4040’s low-noise circuitry is symmetrical and transformerless, resulting in exceptional transient response and clean output signals for transparent reproduction of even the most troublesome of instruments and sound effects.

Check out audio samples and interior views of the AT4040 and other 40 Series side-address condensers

  • Technically-advanced large diaphragm tensioned specifically to provide smooth, natural sonic characteristics

  • Externally polarized (DC bias) true condenser design

  • Exceptionally low noise, wide dynamic range and high-SPL capability for greatest versatility

  • Transformerless circuitry virtually eliminates low-frequency distortion and provides superior correlation of high-speed transients

  • Precision-machined, nickel-plated brass, acoustic element baffle provides enhanced element stability and optimal sensitivity

  • Open acoustical environment of the symmetrical housing assembly minimizes unwanted internal reflections

  • State-of-the-art surface-mount electronics ensure compliance with A-T's stringent consistency and reliability standards

  • Custom shock mount provides superior isolation

  • Switchable 80 Hz hi-pass filter and 10 dB pad


SPECIFICATIONS
ELEMENT Externally-polarized (DC bias) condenser
POLAR PATTERN Cardioid
FREQUENCY RESPONSE 20-20,000 Hz
LOW FREQUENCY ROLL-OFF 80 Hz, 12 dB/octave
OPEN CIRCUIT SENSITIVITY -32 dB (25.1 mV) re 1V at 1 Pa
IMPEDANCE 100 ohms
MAXIMUM INPUT SOUND LEVEL 145 dB SPL, 1 kHz at 1% T.H.D.;
155 dB SPL, with 10 dB pad (nominal)
NOISE 12 dB SPL
DYNAMIC RANGE (typical) 133 dB, 1 kHz at Max SPL
SIGNAL-TO-NOISE RATIO 82 dB, 1 kHz at 1 Pa
PHANTOM POWER REQUIREMENTS 48V DC, 4.2 mA typical
SWITCHES Flat, roll-off;
10 dB pad (nominal)
WEIGHT 12.7 oz (360 g)
DIMENSIONS 6.69" (170.0 mm) long,
2.10" (53.4 mm) maximum body diameter
OUTPUT CONNECTOR Integral 3-pin XLRM-type
ACCESSORIES FURNISHED AT8449 shock mount for 5/8"-27 threaded stands; microphone dust cover; protective carrying case
AUDIO-TECHNICA CASE STYLE R1


SPECIFICATION GRAPHS
Click on the chart to view the larger image
POLAR PATTERN
POLAR PATTERN
FREQUENCY RESPONSE
FREQUENCY RESPONSE



Conditions
AT4040 Cardioid Condenser Microphone
Overall rating 
5 / 5
5 / 5
Open Ratings Snapshot
Rating breakdown 2 reviews
5 Stars
2
4 Stars
0
3 Stars
0
2 Stars
0
1 Star
0
Reliability 
5 / 5
5 / 5
Audio Quality 
5 / 5
5 / 5
Durability 
5 / 5
5 / 5
Ease of Use 
5 / 5
5 / 5
2
2 The AT4040 side-address condenser microphone features an advanced large diaphragm tensioned specifically to provide smooth, natural sonic characteristics. A marriage of technical precision and artistic inspiration, the AT4040 offers exceptionally low noise, wide dynamic range and high-SPL capability for greatest versatility. This ultra-consistent microphone may be used with confidence in a wide variety of studio and live miking applications, even under the stringent demands of digital recording systems. The AT4040's low-noise circuitry is symmetrical and transformerless, resulting in exceptional transient response and clean output signals for transparent reproduction of even the most troublesome of instruments and sound effects.<br/><a href="http://www.audio-technica.com/cms//eb7732ab91615cca/index.html" target="_blank"><b>Check out audio samples and interior views of the AT4040 and other 40 Series side-address condensers</b></a><br/>
Overall rating 
5 / 5
5 / 5
Open Ratings Snapshot
Rating breakdown 2 reviews
5 Stars
2
4 Stars
0
3 Stars
0
2 Stars
0
1 Star
0
Reliability 
5 / 5
5 / 5
Audio Quality 
5 / 5
5 / 5
Durability 
5 / 5
5 / 5
Ease of Use 
5 / 5
5 / 5
Product Reviews
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Ratings summary
Overall rating 
5 / 5
5 / 5
Open Ratings Snapshot
Rating breakdown 2 reviews
5 Stars
2
4 Stars
0
3 Stars
0
2 Stars
0
1 Star
0
Reliability 
5 / 5
5 / 5
Audio Quality 
5 / 5
5 / 5
Durability 
5 / 5
5 / 5
Ease of Use 
5 / 5
5 / 5
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Product ReviewsWrite a review
Overall rating 
5 / 5
5 / 5
Excellent utility mics. Great to have a pair lying around.
PostedDecember 4, 2011
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larsenjazz
 
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from Cottage Grove, OR 97424, USA
Environment:Studio
Expertise:Expert
How Long:Over a year
Reliability 
5 / 5
5 / 5
Audio Quality 
5 / 5
5 / 5
Durability 
5 / 5
5 / 5
Ease of Use 
5 / 5
5 / 5
This microphone is one of those go anywhere do anything mics. It sounds good on lots of sound sources and also does an excellent job. I have used this mic for my sax recordings on albums, flutes, clarinets, guitar amps, pianos, and much more. It has a very even clean sound that is very easy to work with. It is not particularly colored or weighted mic, but it does have a slightly brighter sound than the at4047, which is also an excellent mic. So this mic tends to respond better to sound sources where clarity and bright sounds are preffered. (Strings, Piano, Room Micing, Cymbals) All in all this is a great all around studio mic that works great in a wide variety of applications. And the price is very good to boot.
Pros Piano, Vocals, Film/Video Production, Ambience, Guitar Amp, Brass, Bass Amp, Field Recording, Woodwinds, Strings, Guitar, Drums
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Overall rating 
5 / 5
5 / 5
Solid Performer at Any Price
PostedOctober 20, 2011
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tallislover
 
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from Atlanta, GA, USA
Environment:Other
Expertise:Expert
How Long:Over a year
Reliability 
5 / 5
5 / 5
Audio Quality 
5 / 5
5 / 5
Durability 
5 / 5
5 / 5
Ease of Use 
5 / 5
5 / 5
I have had my 4040s (2) for 3 years and have been very pleased with their solid performance rugged build and sonic quality. I use them in x/y and ORTF stereo configuration and have been very pleased with the sound stage these produce. What's amazing is a demo a fellow engineer showed when he tested a random pair of 4040s and 4050s and their response was with in 2dB of each other along the entire curve. WOW - exceptional!
Pros Piano, Vocals, Woodwinds, Strings, Guitar, Drums, choirs, chamber ensembles
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Am i getting the right idea?

Hey, I'm new to this whole audio recording thing. If i were to get an AT4040 mic and an M-AUDIO fast track pro interface, along with my laptop with garageband and imovie, i can start recording? Do those go together? Would i need another piece of hardware? What would you recommend? I would be recording acoustic guitar and vocals. Thanks for any help.
-Zack L.
 
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6 months ago
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Answer: 
The short answer is yes and the long answer is what are you recording. There are really only 4 things you need to start making digital recordings:
1 - Sound source worth recording. (Hardest thing to find)
2 - A decent microphone. (AT4040 is a great choice for lots of things.)
3 - A audio interface. (This has two functions: to act as an A/D converter for the signal coming from the microphone and a mic pre amp, which provides the juice to make the mic work.)
4 - Software to record with. (Garageband works well for very basic recordings.)

Really the only other things you need to ensure are:
Drivers for MAC OSX for your M-AUDIO device.
Some research on how to properly attach, power, place, and use your mic. (Trust me the first 100 recordings you do will be failures just simply cause you place the mic in the wrong spot.)
You will also need the boring accesories that go along with recording: mic cables, headphones, mic stand, studio monitors(your macs built in speakers are like cell phone speakers so at least get a great pair of headphone. PS Audio-Technica makes some excellent ones.)

Hope this all helps.
Age: 25-34
User Type: Studio
Experience: Pro
1 month, 4 weeks ago
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Answer: 
The AT4040 requires 48V of phantom power. If the interface provides 48V of phantom power and you use a good quality XLRM to XLRF microphone cable this should work ok.
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5 months, 3 weeks ago
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I want to use the microphone for singing,what do I have to do to connect it to my music source (vovopro multi format player)
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User Type: Live Sound
Experience: Amateur
4 months, 1 week ago
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Answer: 
Phantom power is a term that denotes a boost in the amount of electricity that is passed from the mic pre amp to the microphone. The 48V that you often hear said with phantom power stands for 48 Volts which is what a condenser mic like the AT4040 requires to operate. Just think of these mics as having little computers in them that require an external power source to run. If your recorder does not have button for 48V or Phantom Power on it chances are it will not have this function and you will have to get an external power supply. You cannot run a condenser mic without phantom power. PS just to note many ribbon mics can actually be damaged by phantom power so be careful about just switching it on without knowing something about your mic.
1 month, 4 weeks ago
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Answer: 
Thank you for your inquiry. Phantom power is DC voltage sent down the microphone cable to power the preamplifier of a condenser mic capsule.

A balanced mic cable has three conductors; Pin 1 is ground, Pin 2 is audio positive, and Pin 3 is audio negative. Most microphones produce a positive voltage on Pin 2 when sound pressure is applied to the diaphragm.

Phantom power is 9 - 52VDC applied across Pin 1 and Pin 2 - and at the same time applied across Pin 1 and Pin 3. The term 'phantom power' was assigned because if you take a measurement across the two audio lines - Pin 2 and Pin 3 - you find 0 Volts DC. The voltage does not affect the mic signal.

If your recorder does not provide phantom power you neeed to use an external phantom power supply, such as our AT8801.
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