Detail 01
146 dB max SPL, 156 dB with the pad
It won't distort in front of a snare or a cranked 4x12. That headroom is the whole point of this mic.
Product detailSKU #1273887988641
Audio-TechnicaAT4021 Cardioid Condenser Microphone
1/4
Independent shopping perspective
The Korena take
A cardioid condenser built for loud sources. Its 146 dB SPL ceiling and 10 dB pad suit drums, guitar cabs and brass more than quiet vocals.
Strong match
Who this is for
- Close-miking snare, toms and hi-hat on a live kit
- Guitar and bass cabinets at high stage volume
- Brass and woodwind sections that peak hard
Consider the trade-offs
When to look elsewhere
- Quiet sources like fingerstyle acoustic, where 14 dB self-noise shows
- Anyone without 48V phantom power on their interface or mixer
- Home podcasters wanting a plug-and-play USB 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
10 dB pad switch
Drops the capsule output before the preamp, so a hot source stops overloading your interface's input stage.
Detail 03
80 Hz roll-off, 12 dB/octave
Cuts stage rumble and proximity boom at the source instead of fixing it later with EQ.
Detail 04
-34 dB sensitivity
Moderate output. Cheap preamps will need to be pushed further than with a hotter mic.
Detail 05
14 dB SPL self-noise
Audible on very quiet, distant sources. Fine when the source is loud and close.
Detail 06
5.67 in long, 0.83 in body
Slim enough to squeeze between a hi-hat and snare, but it's a full-size body, not a pencil mic.
Final check
Know before you order
- 01Needs 48V phantom power at 3.0 mA — check your mixer or interface
- 02Stand clamp, windscreen and carry case are included; XLR cable and stand are not
- 03The clamp fits 5/8-27 threads; European stands need a 3/8 adapter
Product questions
Before you decide
Straight answers to the questions shoppers most often ask about this product.
01Can I use this for vocals?
Yes, though it's voiced for loud sources. Its 14 dB self-noise is more noticeable on a soft singer than on a shouted vocal.
02Do I need phantom power?
Yes. It's a condenser and requires 48V DC at about 3.0 mA. It will not pass signal from an unpowered input.
03What's the difference between this and the AT4041?
The AT4021 handles higher SPL (146 vs 145 dB), has a wider 132 dB dynamic range and adds a 10 dB pad the AT4041 lacks.
04Will it pick up the rest of the drum kit?
Some. The cardioid pattern rejects sound from behind, so aim the back of the mic at whatever you want to hear less of.
Reference
Full specifications
The complete catalog record, organized around the decisions musicians make when comparing gear.
4 detailsSound
- Polar Pattern
- Cardioid
- Impedance
- 250 ohms
- Low Frequency Roll Off
- 80 Hz, 12 dB/octave
- Frequency Response
- 20-20,000 Hz
2 detailsPickups & controls
- Switches
- Flat, roll-off; 10 dB pad
- Open Circuit Sensitivity
- -34 dB (19.9 mV) re 1V at 1 Pa
3 detailsConnections & power
- Output Connector
- Integral 3-pin XLRM-type
- Phantom Power Requirements
- 48V DC, 3.0 mA typical
- Maximum Input Sound Level
- 146 dB SPL, 1 kHz at 1% T.H.D.; 156 dB SPL, with 10 dB pad (nominal)
2 detailsSize & weight
- Weight
- 119
- Dimensions
- 144.0 mm (5.67 inch) long, 21.0 mm (0.83 inch) maximum body diameter
1 detailsIn the box
- Audio Technica Case Style
- S1
5 detailsOther
- Signal to Noise Ratio
- 80 dB, 1 kHz at 1 Pa
- Accessories Furnished
- AT8405a stand clamp for 5/8 inch-27 threaded stands; windscreen; protective carrying case
- Dynamic Range Typical
- 132 dB, 1 kHz at Max SPL
- Noise
- 14 dB SPL
- Element
- Fixed-charge back plate, permanently polarized condenser
