Detail 01
12dB SPL self-noise
Very quiet electronics. You can record whispered voiceover or fingerpicked guitar without a noise floor sitting behind it.
Product detailSKU #1273887988848
Audio-TechnicaAT4040 Large-Diaphragm Studio Condenser Microphone
Independent shopping perspective
The Korena take
A large-diaphragm cardioid studio condenser with pad, roll-off and shockmount included. A main vocal and room mic for home and project studios.
Strong match
Who this is for
- Lead vocals in a treated or partly treated room
- Acoustic guitar, piano and voiceover work
- Close-miking loud sources with the 10dB pad engaged
Consider the trade-offs
When to look elsewhere
- Live vocals on a loud stage — a dynamic handles that better
- Untreated rooms with traffic, HVAC or computer fan noise
- Anyone needing switchable omni or figure-8 patterns
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
145dB max SPL, 155dB with the pad
Handles guitar cabs, snare and brass up close. Flip the pad in and distortion is not a concern.
Detail 03
10dB pad switch
Drops the mic's output before it hits your preamp, so loud sources stop overloading the input stage.
Detail 04
80Hz roll-off, 12dB/octave
Cuts rumble, floor thump and proximity boom at the mic instead of fixing it later with EQ.
Detail 05
48V phantom, 4.2mA
Standard draw. Any interface or mixer with real 48V phantom will run it, including bus-powered units.
Detail 06
100 ohm output, XLR
Low impedance means long cable runs without high-end loss. Plugs into any standard mic preamp.
Detail 07
12.7 oz, 6.69 inches long
Substantial in the shockmount. A lightweight desk stand or boom arm will droop under it.
Final check
Know before you order
- 01Includes the AT8449 shockmount, dust cover and case — no XLR cable
- 02Shockmount threads are 5/8-27; European 3/8 stands need an adapter
- 03Buy a pop filter separately — the shockmount does not include one
Product questions
Before you decide
Straight answers to the questions shoppers most often ask about this product.
01Do I need a preamp or is an interface enough?
An audio interface with 48V phantom is enough. The mic draws 4.2mA, which is standard, and its 100 ohm output suits any normal mic preamp.
02When should I use the 10dB pad?
When you close-mic something loud — a guitar cab, snare, or a belting vocalist — and the preamp input clips even with the gain turned down.
03Does it come with a shockmount?
Yes. The AT8449 shockmount is included, along with a dust cover and a protective carrying case. It fits 5/8-27 threaded stands.
04Can I record loud drums with it?
Yes. It takes 145dB SPL, or 155dB with the pad engaged, which covers overheads and close-miked snare or brass.
Reference
Full specifications
The complete catalog record, organized around the decisions musicians make when comparing gear.
4 detailsSound
- Polar Pattern
- Cardioid
- Impedance
- 100 ohms
- Low Frequency Roll Off
- 80Hz, 12dB/octave
- Frequency Response
- 20Hz–20kHz
2 detailsPickups & controls
- Switches
- Flat, roll-off; 10dB pad (nominal)
- Open Circuit Sensitivity
- –32dB (25.1 mV) re 1V at 1 Pa
1 detailsBody & build
- Color
- Black
3 detailsConnections & power
- Output Connector
- Integral 3-pin XLRM-type
- Phantom Power Requirements
- 48V DC, 4.2 mA typical
- Maximum Input Sound Level
- 145dB SPL,1 kHz at 1% T.H.D.; 155dB SPL, with 10dB pad (nominal)
2 detailsSize & weight
- Weight
- 12.7
- Dimensions
- 6.69 inch (170 mm) long, 2.10 inch (53.4 mm) maximum body diameter
2 detailsIn the box
- Audio Technica Case Style
- R1
- Accessories Included
- AT8449 shockmount for 5/8 inch-27 threaded stands; microphone dust cover; protective carrying case
4 detailsOther
- Signal to Noise Ratio
- 82dB, 1kHz at 1 Pa
- Dynamic Range Typical
- 133dB, 1kHz at Max SPL
- Noise
- 12dB SPL
- Element
- Externally polarized (DC bias) condenser
