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Audio-Technica ATM450

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Fake Price: $369.00
Real Price: $249.00
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Audio-Technica ATM450 Description

We sell stereo pairs for something that rhymes with "Too Shiny Shine" but can't print it here.

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One of the new stars of the Artist Series remake, the ATM450 cardioid condenser offers an innovative side-address stick design for endless placement options and minimal obstructions. The microphone is equipped with an integral 80 Hz hi-pass filter that provides easy switching from a flat frequency response to a low-end roll-off. The ATM450 also features a switchable 10 dB pad that lowers the microphone's sensitivity, providing higher SPL capability for flexible use with a wide range of performers and system configurations. The microphone’s extended flat frequency response makes it ideal for high SPLs as well as for live and amplified acoustic instruments. Includes a professional isolation clamp to provide secure mounting, versatile positioning and effective dampening of unwanted mechanical noise.


Audio-Technica ATM450 Features

  • Unique side-address stick design maximizes placement options with minimal obstructions
  • Uncompromising sound quality for overheads, percussion, acoustic guitar, strings and other acoustic instruments
  • Integral 80 Hz HPF switch and 10 dB pad
  • Durable performance for professional applications
  • Cardioid polar pattern reduces pickup of sounds from the sides and rear, improving isolation of desired sound source
  • Rugged, all-metal design and construction for years of trouble-free use
  • Includes isolation clamp for shock protection, secure mounting and easy positioning

Audio Technica ATM450 Review / See All ZenPro Audio Reviews Here: Review Page

 

I may have bought the first pair to ever ship in the USA for all I know, all I know is it only took one session to know that the ATM450 did something and did it very well: drum overhead recording (as well as close mic’d drums). This side address small diaphragm condenser mic (yes, if you ever see pictures I post of drums and wonder why it looks like there are 2 pencil mics pointing towards the wall rather than the drums, chances are they are ATM450’s) is not my favorite on anything I will admit, and in fact on acoustic guitar I don’t like the range it accents. However on drums and cymbals, they are worth having a pair around as they excel in this area.

 

Cymbals sound natural and present, but not overly bright either (I end up adding 10k during mix time 90% of the time). The first thing that amazed me was snare drum imaging from 3-4’ out on overheads: you really hear the shell of the drum and can sort of picture it between the monitors as a very defined image. The off axis response on these mics is excellent, as is proven by the coherent left to right panning which results in a very clear image all around. My favorite placement is maybe 18” above the drummer’s head facing into the kit, using ORTF stereo for a nice image but mono compatibility. So I keep them sort of low into the kit, and in this position toms also have a great depth and perfect attack to them as well. When I end up compressing the drum buss, close tom mics are optional a fair amount of the time (speaking of which, their side address design make them excellent close drum mics and they do well here too).

 

Conclusion: A one trick pony in my opinion, but a seriously nice one. It delivers thwack and cut and image for drums. Acoustic guitar is a little too scratchy for my tastes, but they nail it on drums.


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Reviews:

(4 Ratings, 2 Reviews) Average Rating:
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an Amazing one trick pony
David Peretz (Beer Sheva , ) 7/16/2011 5:04 PM
The ATM450 is an insane microphone. it can record well anything from vocals, acoustic guitar, snare (amazing snare!) OH (Amazing OH), toms, and even Kik ( it will not be the mother of all kik's but it will hold it's own) and it can even do vocals. it's a fast and smooth mike with a very good side rejection, and nice of axis sound, actually i didn't know how nice can the off axis sound until i heard this. the mic has a very tight and focused sound with an "already Mixed" sound. of course you have to feed him with good sources, but once that is the issue, you will have no problem getting a very very good sound with it. I got three of them and for me that the ideal number as you need two for overheads and one for the snare. they record very well in stereo and the best sound i ever got on a Nashville tuning guitar was with this little magicians, add a bit of reverb and you're in ECM / Windham Hill wide country. for me the ATM450 is surly a desert island mic alongside an old vintage M49 Neumannn. get it while you can. these are modern classic
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Full time performer and recording artist
Walter Clark (Kobe, ) 7/7/2011 12:14 PM
If you're looking for detail, these babies will give it to you...in my case it was string detail I was looking for and wow, did they do the trick. I have to close mike a piano, which can be a nightmare, especially with the top closed, but there is no other option in my situation. Using dynamic mikes wasn't cutting it, so I teamed a couple of these with a Black Lion Auteur pre, which, btw, in my opinion is a match made in heaven! The piano seemed to have moved 10 feet forward in the mix. I like to occasionally run things by my lady, since she's not tech minded. She just goes by what she feels. Comparing the mix using dynamic mikes with the mix using these, she said it sounded like somebody had taken a blanket off the piano. A lot of bang for the buck! No wonder they aren't selling these anymore.