VIDEO: AES 2012: Audio-Technica launches AT5040 mic

Audio-Technica has announced the launch of its flagship 50 Series of studio microphones with the AT5040 Cardioid Condenser Microphone at the AES Convention in San Francisco.

The hand-built AT5040 side-address condenser is designed to offer high-fidelity performance with optimised presence and clarity. Featuring a proprietary element design, the AT5040 employs four ultra-thin (two micron) rectangular diaphragms that function together, providing combined surface area previously unachievable in a standard round diaphragm. The AT5040’s large-diaphragm characteristics also make it well-suited for recording acoustic instruments, such as piano, guitar, strings, and saxophone.

In order to achieve the best possible sound purity, the company’s engineers developed a four-part rectangular element, which function together (with outputs proprietarily summed) as a single high-performance element – essentially the largest element Audio-Technica has ever created. By utilising four diaphragms as a single capsule, the AT5040 is built to achieve a large surface area without the increased weight and decreased transient response that are seen as the usual limitations of expansive size.

Meanwhile, another key design feature of the AT5040 is advanced internal shock mounting aims to decouple the capsule from the microphone body. For additional isolation, each AT5040 also comes with the company’s new AT8480 shock mount. Featuring a proprietary design, the AT8480 was engineered to isolate the microphone and to rid the apparatus itself of any unwanted resonances that could be transmitted to the microphone. It also features a locking mechanism that holds the microphone securely in place.

Every AT5040 is hand-built is housed in a case of aluminium and brass with grey chrome plating for durability and low reflectivity. 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, the first model in Audio-Technica’s new flagship 50 Series of elite studio microphones, will be available from January 2013 with a recommended retail price of £2,999 (inc VAT)/€2999 (exc VAT).

Audio-Technica is exhibiting at booth 705 during the 133rd AES Convention in San Francisco.

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