Best overhead results ever, using ORTF + Spaced Pair

[mhschmieder]

Either Sweetwater still has old stock to sell, or their site is out of date, as the 4051-a was replaced by the 4051-b quite some time ago. In every way, the 4051-b seems a huge upgrade.

http://recordinghacks.com/microphones/A ... T4051b#rpd

[mhschmieder]

I've got a line on a pair of AT4051-b's, but they say they're Made in China so I'm trying to figure out if that means they're grey market or not (they're new, not used).

It's an ethical issue with me, regarding complying with manufacturer-established rules; not a political one about country of manufacture.

Also wondering whether it would be advisable to buy the 4053-c hyper-cardioid capsules if using these on snare drum (for example) vs. ORTF's. Interestingly, I'm reading that the 4053-c has become the standard for dialogue in indie films.

UPDATE: I zoomed in on the photo at the link I provided above (it's on a side bar vs. the main article, so I missed it the first time), and it says "Made in Japan", as does a close-up photo from the eBay ad. The latter is clearly a stock photo though, so I wrote them to ask if it's grey market or if A-T recently moved production of this mic from Japan to China. I'm ready to buy, if it isn't grey market.

[mhschmieder]

They're an authorized dealer so I bought the pair of AT4051-b's for slightly less than $900 today. The extra cartridges are $250 each (not per pair) and most rave about the omni but not much is said about the hyper-cardioids. I'm kind of preferring ribbons and LCD's in omni and figure-8 roles these days so I don't know if I'd bother.

I guess we'll find out if Audio-Technica has changed country of production, once mine arrive. It doesn't bother me; I know they have high quality standards as does Yamaha. I was only concerned about grey market, both for ethical reasons as well as knowing that the specs/quality can be quite different for stuff not designated for the western market.

I've read quite a bit about these being preferred for ORTF work. I'll likely eventually buy a pair of DPA4011's for choral and orchestral work, should any of that work come my way again, but I can't justify that expenditure right now and likely would have regretted spending close to $2K on the DPA 4011's vs. these bang-for-buck A-T mics (many prefer them to 4011's on drums anyway).

[mikehalloran]

I looked at a pair of 4051b a few years ago. They struck me as being similar to the KSM32 pair that I already have, save the interchangeable capsules, of course. I was not surprised to find this review that compared the two:
http://recordinghacks.com/2011/01/29/au ... 1b-review/

On the rare occasions I use an ORTF array, I usually pull out the Shures. I should upload the last session I did with the 32s in an ORTF pattern — it's interesting for a number of reasons.

It's possible that if I were buying new, I'd go with the AT because of the option to add the omni capsules.

[Phil O]

...once mine arrive...

Please report back once you've put them trough their paces. I've had my eye on these for a while, but never had the opportunity to hear one.

Phil

[mhschmieder]

Although I had already read that Recording Hacks review, I didn't have the same take-away, as to me the A-T mics sounded radically different in ORTF mode. I owned a KSM32 for many years but sold it last year after buying my first high-end LCD, as I simply felt the Shure was too colored (though not as much so as the rest of their line). Also a bit grainy.

The Beyer MC930's are smooth as silk. Hopefully the AT's will be too.