Audio-Technica Menu

MB 4k (DISCONTINUED)

Handheld/Stand Cardioid Condenser Microphone


U.S. Five-year Limited End-User Warranty

*Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price. Actual selling price may vary; please check with an authorized Audio-Technica dealer.



BUY NOW

  • Overview
  • Features
  • Specifications
  • Reviews
  • Q & A

  • Overview


    A price/performance leader, the MB 4k cardioid condenser microphone is the Midnight Blues® Series’ introductory studio-quality microphone. With a condenser design for studio vocal and instrument applications, the microphone features: battery/phantom operation; rugged all-metal construction; soft-touch finish; extended response for smooth, natural sonic characteristics; corrosion-resistant contacts from gold-plated XLRM-type connector; on/off switch.

  • Features

    • Introductory studio-quality microphone—the clear price/performance leader

    • Condenser design for studio-quality vocals and instruments

    • Extended response for smooth, natural sonic characteristics

    • Rugged all-metal construction and on/off switch

    • Soft-touch finish for a secure, comfortable grip and reduced mechanical noise

    • Battery/phantom operation for maximum versatility

    • Corrosion-resistant gold-plated XLRM-type connector

    • 5-year warranty

    • Also available as:
      MB 4k/c with 15' cable

  • Specifications

    ELEMENTFixed-charge back plate, permanently polarized condenser
    POLAR PATTERNCardioid
    FREQUENCY RESPONSE80-20,000 Hz
    OPEN CIRCUIT SENSITIVITYPhantom: -46 dB (5.0 mV) re 1V at 1 Pa
    Battery: -48 dB (3.9 mV) re 1V at 1 Pa
    IMPEDANCEPhantom: 200 ohms
    Battery: 250 ohms
    MAXIMUM INPUT SOUND LEVELPhantom: 137 dB SPL, 1 kHz at 1% T.H.D.
    Battery: 125 dB SPL, 1 kHz at 1% T.H.D.
    DYNAMIC RANGE (typical)Phantom: 113 dB, 1 kHz at Max SPL
    Battery: 101 dB, 1 kHz at Max SPL
    SIGNAL-TO-NOISE RATIO70 dB, 1 kHz at 1 Pa
    PHANTOM POWER REQUIREMENTS11-52V DC, 2 mA typical
    BATTERY TYPE1.5V AA/UM3
    BATTERY CURRENT / LIFE0.4 mA/1200 hours typical
    SWITCHOn/off
    WEIGHT6.4 oz (182 g)
    DIMENSIONS8.10" (205.7 mm) long,
    1.64" (41.7 mm) head diameter
    OUTPUT CONNECTORIntegral 3-pin gold-plated XLRM-type
    ACCESSORIES FURNISHEDAT8405a stand clamp for 5/8"-27 threaded stands; 5/8"-27 to 3/8"-16 threaded adapter; battery; soft protective pouch
    AUDIO-TECHNICA CASE STYLES8
    Click on the chart to view the larger image
    POLAR PATTERN
    POLAR PATTERN
    FREQUENCY RESPONSE
    FREQUENCY RESPONSE


    Conditions

  • Reviews

  • Q & A

    Since the MB4K condenser mic is no longer available, do you have another mic that is basically similar as a substitute? Thanks!

    John

    Thank you for your inquiry. The AT8031 would be a suitable replacement.

    Rick

    I have 3 questions: 1.I will be using MB4K on an application that provides 8VDC to pin 2 (mic hot). Will the mic work this way? 2. Would this obviate the need to have the battery in it? 3. Is the battery a Bias voltage source? Thanx - Bob

    Homer1952

    The MB 4k requires a minimum of 11V DC to operate ( a max of 52V DC). When supplied with at least 11V DC, yo are correct, you would not need the battery.

    ATUS_Specialist4

    Could I use this mic about 4 feet away from a choir? How well will it pick up from that far away?

    Church Sound Technician

    The MB4K can indeed be used 4' away to mic a choir, and should pick up the audio quite well. However, how "well" a microphone can pickup is also dependent on the performer(s), mix engineer, and the expectation of the user. You might have to experiment with microphone placement and/or add another microphone to get the sound you're looking for. Another good resource is: - http://blog.audio-technica.com/audio-solutions-question-week-far-away-will-microphone-pick-sound/ If you have any further questions, please contact the Audio-Technica United States (ATUS) Audio Solutions Team at: audio-solutions@atus.com Thanks!

    ATUS_Specialist2

    How can I remove my battery when it is dead? The bottom part only separates enough to expose about half of the battery and I have to force the battery out and it gets bent up.

    David

    Please contact our Audio Solutions Department at (330) 686-2600 ext 5000 or at audio-solutions@atus.com for assistance with this.

    ATUS_Specialist3

    Does the MB 4K can be used for indoor dialogue in a short film ?

    Smartinvasion

    Although not a typical use for the MB4K, it can mostly definitely be used for indoor dialog for a short film. I definitely recommend trying the microphone to see if it sounds good to you, and gives you satisfactory results. If it does not, or if you have any questions, please contact Jam Industries/Erikson Audio in Canada, as they are the Audio-Technica distributor/representative for Canada. http://www.jamindustries.com/markets/pro-audio-and-lighting/erikson-audio Thanks!

    AudioSolutionsSpec2

    Is this a good mic to use on vocals in a live singer-songwriter situation? Will it feedback too easily? Does the AT2010 sound better for this?

    singersongwriter

    Generally speaking, the AT2010 will perform better than the MB4K in a live-performance scenario. However, ANY microphone (be it Audio-Technica or competitor) with an audio-system, has the propensity to feed-back. This could be due to the placement of the microphone as it relates to any loud-speaker, or gain-structure. Typically, you would want to keep your loud-speakers away and pointing in the opposite direction of any microphone. For any additional correspondence, please include your original question and this response, and contact the Audio-Technica United States (ATUS) Audio Solutions Team at: audio-solutions@atus.com Thanks!

    AudioSolutionsSpec2

    Do I have to remove the battery before I plug the mic into mix with phantom power? Also, is the top part of the mic removable ? When I plug the mic into a mixer with phantom power, do I have to remove the battery first? Also, can I disassemble the head (top part) of the mic? It seems like I cannot turn it loose.

    KL123

    Thank you for your inquiry. You do not need to remove the battery for phantom power use, although if you plan to always use phantom power you may want to remove it in case it leaks. Only the top half of the head shell unscrews, not the lower half.

    AudioSolutionsManager

    what is the difference between the MB4K and ATMB4K I noticed there are these 2 models, MB4K and ATMB4K out there selling on the internet. The ATMB4k has a chubbier body while the MB4K is slimmer. Is the ATMB4K older model? or are they both the same? Please advise.

    KLAU

    Thank you for your inquiry. There is no ATMB4k, only an MB4k and an MB4k/c. They are the same microphone. The "/c" model includes a cable.The photos you mention where the microphone has a chubbier body are not photos of either model. They appear to be photos of the MB1k Cardioid Dynamic Microphone.

    AudioSolutionsSpec1

    I use the MB 4k without the battery, with built in phantom power of Dr-40 Recorder I have a tascam Dr-40 Recorder with built in phantom power can I use the MB 4k without the battery, with built in phantom power of Dr-40 Recorder, and is it good for vocals.

    goodguy

    Thank you for your inquiry. If your recorder provides phantom power the microphone will work. The MB 4K is a good vocal microphone.

    AudioSolutionsManager

    is the mb4k a good choir mic?

    ABipaper

    Thank you for your inquiry. The MB4K is a fairly sensitive mic and has a wide frequency response which would make it a very fine microphone micing a choir.

    AudioSolutionsManager

Product Search