Difference between AT 4040 AND 4033

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Midi maniac

Difference between AT 4040 AND 4033

Post by Midi maniac »

Hi there... does anyone know what is the defference between the Audio Technica 4040 and 4033.
The 4040 costs $299 and the 4033 costs $399....
Please advise!
Thanks
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Phil O
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Re: Difference between AT 4040 AND 4033

Post by Phil O »

You can find spec sheets here:
http://www.audio-technica.com/cgi-bin/p ... +40+Series

There are also some audio samples posted there.

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Midi maniac

Re: Difference between AT 4040 AND 4033

Post by Midi maniac »

Thanks.
I have already checked this link.
There are a few things I do not understand but it is ok.
So, if you had to buy one between these 2, which one you would choose?
Let's say that the purpose is the same: use with DP mostly for Vocal recording and sometimes instrumental...
Thanks.
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Re: Difference between AT 4040 AND 4033

Post by Tonio »

4033 is a 3/4" diaphram condensor vs 4040 is a 1".
The 4033 may have been called a "classic". IMO kinda strident, but usable. Its more of a SDC type deal though its 3/4"

For a more utility mic, I would go for the 4050 in the AT line, unless you want a FET -4047.

What are you planning to use either of them for?

T
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Re: Difference between AT 4040 AND 4033

Post by Phil O »

MIDI maniac wrote:So, if you had to buy one between these 2, which one you would choose?
Let's say that the purpose is the same: use with DP mostly for Vocal recording and sometimes instrumental...
Tough choice. I agree with Tonio that the 4050 is a more versatile mic, but that may be out of your price range (about $600). The 4040 and 4033 sound very similar (if I can trust the audio samples posted on their web site). I did lean toward the 4033 when listening to the female vocal samples, however. I think if I had to choose and I didn't have an opportunity to actually audition them, I would go for the 4040. It's a very similar sound for 3/4 of the price. I think the two mics are close enough in sound that you won't be kicking yourself for not spending the extra $100 for the 4033. If there's any way to audition them, though, that's the way to decide.

I recently got a BLUE Bluebird. It's got a distinctly different sound than the AT-40s, but you might want to check it out, too. It's about $300.

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Re: Difference between AT 4040 AND 4033

Post by Midi maniac »

I am planning to use them for vocal recording through DP and some times (not often...sampling percussive sound). But muych more often for vocal recordings.
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Re: Difference between AT 4040 AND 4033

Post by Tonio »

If the main goal is for yourself on vox, you should test them 1st. Obviously you would want to test a few out if you can, to get generalized info on how it sounds on you- to you.
If its for you recording others, you may be on a lossing battle, since each vocalist could need something that fits their style of singing.

Go to GC or where ever locally with at least the 4033 and 4040, 4050 to test. Also you may want to see if they can help you test them out with a transparent preamp.. Call em ahead of time.
Find a few other similar priced mics to test while your at it!! Then have them recommend a high priced one for Shi*** and giggles.

T

p.s. Hey Phil - hows the Bluebird?
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Re: Difference between AT 4040 AND 4033

Post by Phil O »

Tonio wrote:p.s. Hey Phil - hows the Bluebird?
I got it to replace an AT 4050CM5. The reason the 4050 is gone is a story for another day. :evil:
Anyway, it's not as versatile as the 4050 (fixed cardioid pattern on the Bluebird), but the more I use it the more I like it. I've used it so far on soprano and baritone vocals, banjo, and bodhran. Good results on all. If you look at the freq. response chart on BLUE's web site it gives you a hint as to what the mic sounds like; slight boost in the low and high end, but not as drastic as the chart suggests - subtle, but definitely there.

It's got a natural sound with vocals with that little extra in the right spots to let the vocal sit nicely in the mix with minimal tinkering.
On bluegrass banjo it really captures that clucky Scruggs sound.
The bodhran I recorded was tuned rather low. I set up an SM 57, an AKG C 451b, and the Bluebird. We ended up using the Bluebird. It had a tighter sounding low end than the other two.

For the price (about $300), it's quite a good deal. My next purchase is going to be a pair of Earthworks TC 20s. 8) Savin' up my nickles.

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Re: Difference between AT 4040 AND 4033

Post by gearboy »

I own a pair of AT4050s (paid under $700 total for the pair new w/ warranty via eBay 18 months back!), and an AT4047 (used for $300 back in 2003). From what I understand, and I may be wrong, the AT4040 is a cardioid version of the AT4050. Again, I may be wrong. I agree with checking out any vocal mic regarding your own voice and seeing what works. Audition both the AT4050, the AT4047, and check out the Shure SM7 as well.

Check ebay for good sellers with strong feedback and check into buying used. There are a ton of great deals out there.

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Re: Difference between AT 4040 AND 4033

Post by BradLyons »

GEARBOY,

Are you sure that the AT4050 is a cardioid version of the AT4050? :mrgreen: How's the new place doing, by the way?
Thank you,
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Re: Difference between AT 4040 AND 4033

Post by gearboy »

BradLyons wrote:GEARBOY,

Are you sure that the AT4050 is a cardioid version of the AT4050? :mrgreen: How's the new place doing, by the way?
Ha! Corrected. It was late when I posted that, and I spent 6 hours before that doing plaster work.

The place is coming together. Thanks for asking. Just working on the bedrooms, hoping to have everything refinished in the house before the end of the summer. Yesterday was 6 months since settlement. In 2010 I'll focus on framing out a room in the basement I suppose. Right now all of my extra money is being spent turning it into a modern looking place instead of the home of an 89 year old woman.

How have you been?

Jeff
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Re: Difference between AT 4040 AND 4033

Post by HCMarkus »

Good news Gearboy!
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Re: Difference between AT 4040 AND 4033

Post by mhschmieder »

Just bumping this because it enlightens a recent poster's question about pairing the AT4033 with the AT4050 in OH duties.

It sounds from this discussion that that would be a bad idea (or would take a lot of time in experiementing with positioning and auditioning the results).

I'm personally familiar with the AT4050 but not the AT4033, so at first didn't realise they were so different.
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Re: Difference between AT 4040 AND 4033

Post by mhschmieder »

I found quite a bit of discussion about the differences between these two mics today while researching other AT mics on Gearslutz and other sites. I'd recommend you look there, as there is a very detailed description of the differences, and I closed out the link earlier, forgetting there was an inquiry here.

The AT4050 and AT4051/4053 were also discussed, as is the AT450, with lots of confusion cleared up about these different models. But I think this topic was about vocal uses so I'll first check the other topics before posting about these other mics.
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Re: Difference between AT 4040 AND 4033

Post by David Polich »

I happen to have a 4033 and a 4040. They look identical. I ended up
with this combination because I accepted gear in lieu of payment for a
project I did, and the client mistakenly got me the 4040.

The tonal difference is slight. The 4040 has a tad more low end and is a little less strident than the 4033. Frankly it's a negligible difference.
I've mic'd my piano using the 4040 on the low strings and the 4033 on
the high strings and it's sounded just fine.

I cut vocals for three albums with the 4033 and an Art Tube MP preamp (yes, really!) and the results were great.
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