Detail 01
50 mm head, externally polarized condenser element
A true DC-bias large diaphragm, not an electret — fuller bottom end and more detail off the top.
Product detailSKU #1273887989119
Audio-TechnicaAE5400 Cardioid Microphone
1/2
Independent shopping perspective
The Korena take
Large-diaphragm cardioid condenser with a hand-sized tapered body. For vocalists who want detail and full range on stage or in the room.
Strong match
Who this is for
- Lead vocals where a dynamic mic sounds too dull
- Singers who need studio-style detail through a PA
- Acoustic sources that need real low and high extension
Consider the trade-offs
When to look elsewhere
- Loud stages with heavy backline bleed into an open cardioid
- Rigs with no phantom power available
- Anyone just needing a cheap spare backup vocal mic
What matters in use
The specifications, translated
Catalog numbers tell only part of the story. These are the details most likely to change how this product feels, sounds, or fits into a setup.
Detail 02
14 dB SPL self-noise, 80 dB signal-to-noise
Quiet passages stay clean; pushing preamp gain does not bring up mic hiss with it.
Detail 03
147 dB max SPL plus 10 dB pad
Takes a singer belting inches off the grille without the capsule distorting.
Detail 04
80 Hz high-pass, 12 dB per octave
Gentle slope. Trims stage rumble and proximity boom but leaves chest weight in the voice.
Detail 05
20 Hz–20,000 Hz response
Full range, so breath and air on top come through instead of a dynamic's rolled-off treble.
Detail 06
150 ohm output impedance
Low enough to drive long stage snakes without losing high end along the run.
Final check
Know before you order
- 01Needs 11–52V phantom power at roughly 4 mA on the channel
- 02Ships with the AT8470 Quiet-Flex stand clamp only, no stand
- 03Open cardioid condenser on stage — set monitor angles carefully for feedback
Product questions
Before you decide
Straight answers to the questions shoppers most often ask about this product.
01Does the AE5400 need phantom power?
Yes, 11–52V DC at about 4 mA typical. It is an externally polarized condenser, so the phantom supply is doing real work, not just powering an electret.
02Is this a live mic or a studio mic?
Both. The tapered hand-sized body and stand clamp suit stage vocals, and the 14 dB self-noise floor and 20 Hz–20 kHz response hold up for tracking.
03What comes in the box?
The AT8470 Quiet-Flex stand clamp for 5/8-inch-27 threads. A stand and cable are separate purchases.
04How is it different from a dynamic vocal mic?
More top-end detail and lower noise, and it needs phantom power. The trade is that a cardioid condenser also hears more of the stage around the singer.
Reference
Full specifications
The complete catalog record, organized around the decisions musicians make when comparing gear.
4 detailsSound
- Polar Pattern
- Cardiod
- Impedance
- 150ohms
- Low Frequency Roll Off
- 80Hz, 12dB/octave
- Frequency Repsonse
- 20-20,000Hz
2 detailsPickups & controls
- Switches
- High-pass filter; 10dB pad (nominal)
- Open Circuit Sensitivity
- -40dB (10mV) re 1V at 1Pa
1 detailsBody & build
- Color
- Black
3 detailsConnections & power
- Output Connector
- Integral 3-pin XLRM-type
- Phantom Power Requirements
- 11-52V DC, 4 mA typical
- Maximum Input Sound Level
- 147dB SPL, 1 kHz at 1% T.H.D.;
2 detailsSize & weight
- Weight
- 11.6
- Dimensions
- 7.05 inch (179 mm) long, 1.97 inch (50 mm) head diameter, 1.30 inch to 0.87 inch (33 mm to 22 mm) tapered body diameter
5 detailsOther
- Signal to Noise Ratio
- 80 dB, 1 kHz at 1 Pa*
- Accessories
- AT8470 Quiet-Flex stand clamp for 5/8 inch-27 threaded
- Dymanic Range
- 133dB, 1kHz at Max SPL
- Noise
- 14dB SPL
- Element
- Externally polarized (DC Bias) condenser
