Audio-Technica - AT4040

2020s are remarkably good value. I spent $1300 on a 4040 back when, and it's tough to tell the difference.

I Don't know about that. I upgraded in my backyard studio from an SM57 dynamic to an AT4040 which at the time cost $1300. It truly is an incredible mic, but whereas before I got very little reflective room sound and lots of off axis rejection, suddenly I could pretty much hear the sparrows farting in the neighbor's yard.

Recording is a game were you're gonna wanna try a lot of things, and if you're good at it your process and gear will be constantly changing over the years. There is no single best mic. I'd recommend you get them both and try them out. You don't have to buy the 3 of them right now, just be mindful that you will always be changing mics and trying new ones out, so you might end up getting multiple mics in your whole career. My advise is to start with a 57, then get a nice low cost condenser like the AT4040 (not the AT2040, because in my opinion both the 2020 and 2040 sound pretty bad) and then go off from there.

It all depends on which $100 mic you are comparing to which $500 mic. Personally, I like the at4040 very much. That said, I use mine for recording instruments. I prefer the sound of the at4033 for vocals. It just gives them something a little extra.

4040, or 4047 are great choices.

I used to have an AT4040. had a 2020 previously. I LOVED that mic. I miss it. Wish I never got rid of it.

You can go far with an AT2020 or 4040 and put the savings elsewhere

I record my dreadnoughts with an AT4040.

agree with this, altho i did upgrade to the 4040, the 2020 is going to get you great vocals for a long time. if youre rapping specifically and not singing at all, you *might* consider a dynamic mic, but i would do more research. i have never used a dynamic mic (even tho i have the sm57) and its never really a great idea to switch mics in the middle of recording a song (you can get phasing issues)

Seconding this. I love my AT4040. Also the AT4021 is an incredible SDC that is very affordable.

I really like the AT4040, it’s one of the few mics that I haven’t sold as I cycle through. Would love to try an AT4050 sometime soon. I do find I often dip a little bit of 2k with a wide Q on an SSL channel strip with it, but that may just be because my ear favors a bit of a mid scoop in general.

Audio engineer here. The Warm audio wa47 jr is suppose to be very good and won’t break the bank. The same goes with the Audiotechnica at4040. I would go with the warm.