Designed to be the 'ultimate' studio condenser vocal microphone, Audio-Technica launched the AT5040 in its new flagship 50 series at 133rd AES 2102, booth 705, San Francisco. Featuring a proprietary element design, the hand-built AT5040 employs four ultra-thin (2 micron) rectangular diaphragms that function together providing combined surface area. Designed as a first-choice vocal microphone with smooth top end and controlled sibilance, the AT5040’s large-diaphragm characteristics and fast transient response also make it suitable for recording acoustic instruments such as piano, guitar, strings, and saxophone.
The first of A-T’s design criteria for the AT5040 was purity of sound. To achieve this, A-T engineers developed a four-part rectangular element, the pinnacle of recent breakthroughs in sound-capture technology. Four matched diaphragms function together (with outputs proprietarily summed) as a single high-performance element – effectively the largest element Audio-Technica has ever created. By using four diaphragms as a single capsule, the AT5040 achieves a large surface area without the increased weight and decreased transient response that are the expected limitations of expansive size.
The AT5040's internal shock mounting decouples the capsule from the microphone body. For additional isolation, each AT5040 is also provided with Audio-Technica’s new AT8480 shock mount. Featuring a proprietary design, the AT8480 was engineered not only to isolate the microphone, but to rid the apparatus itself of any unwanted resonances and other audio aberrations that could be transmitted to the microphone. It also features a locking mechanism that holds the microphone securely in place.
Every AT5040 is hand-assembled and inspected for 100% quality control and is housed in an elegant case of aluminum and brass with gray chrome plating. To protect the AT5040, each microphone comes in a custom-designed hard-shell carrying case, padded with die-cut foam compartments for the microphone and shock mount. |
The AT5040 Cardioid Condenser Microphone is scheduled for availability January 2013. |