Audio Technica AT2035 and AT2050

Reviews | Audio Technica 2035 & 2050 mics
104
A
s it’s likely that the majority
of home recordists would be
creating music on a
computer and maybe using
amp simulation (hardware or software)
for guitar sounds, the pressing need
would probably be for a decent vocal
mic – an affordable cardioid pattern
large diaphragm condenser being the
obvious choice for such a job while also
quite useful for a variety of other tasks
like recording acoustic guitar.
Audio Technica’s AT2035 is one
such mic but it also has a sibling, the
AT2050, that adds omni and figure-of-8
patterns for a more all-round capability
that may be tempting.
The two mics are very smart in a
very dark grey finish with silver lettering
and look almost identical, although
from some angles you can make out the
different styles of diaphragm through
the black mesh grille and, of course, the
AT2050 has an extra three way switch
for choosing the polar pattern. Both
mics are equipped with switches for low
cut (rolling off at 12dB/octave below
80Hz) and a 10dB pad for dealing with
high sound levels. Both can take pretty
high SPLs as it is but the pads allow the
AT2035 to handle 158dB and the
AT2050, 159dB.
Perhaps to keep costs down, AT
have supplied both mics in cardboard
boxes – no aluminium cases in sight –
but you do get a zipped protective
pouch and a plastic, but very effective,
suspension mount.
Mic check
As might be expected, in cardioid mode
both mics sounded very similar and
captured a full vocal sound with no
obvious anomalies across the frequency
range, the bottom end and midrange
coming across as warm and full-bodied
and the top end smooth and precise.
Carrying on in cardioid mode both mics
performed well recording both acoustic
guitar and a variety of hand-held
percussion leaving little doubt that both
would do a sterling job facing many
other instruments.
The AT2050 with its extra patterns
offers a different take on things. Side
rejection using the figure of 8 pattern
was very good – useful in an ensemble
recording where you need to pick up
some sounds while getting little spill
from others.
In figure-of-8 mode the mic yielded
pleasing results on recording two
backing vocalists simultaneously,
opposite each other, with the tonal
character of the sound not vastly
different from using the cardioid
pattern. If you have three or more
vocalists, omni mode yields fairly
consistent sound from 360 degrees
around the mic but is also useful if you
want more ‘air’ in the sound when
recording a single sound source.
Verdict
In the array of affordable large
diaphragm condensers out there, these
offer good build quality, classy sound
and the ability to withstand high levels,
making them a wise choice if you are
looking for that first (or only) studio mic.
If you just wish to record single
vocals and the odd acoustic instrument,
the cardioid patterned AT2035 will be
sufficient but for the extra versatility
that multi-pattern operation can bring,
the additional outlay for the AT2050
seems justified – you might not use it
very often but you’ll be glad you have it
if the need arises.
Audio Technica AT2035
& AT2050 | from £159
Cardioid or multi-pattern? Trevor Curwen wonders
which of these Audio Technica condensers he prefers
VERDICT
BUILD
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VALUE
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EASE OF USE
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VERSATILITY
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RESULTS
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Affordable large diaphragm
condenser mics for the home or
project studio
spECs
Type: Back electric,
side-entry condenser
Response: 20Hz – 20kHz
Polar pattern: Cardioid
(AT2035), omni, cardioid,
figure-of-eight (AT2050)
Impedance: 120 Ohms
Noise: 12dB SPL (AT2035),
17dB SPL (AT2050)
Max SPL: 148dB SPL, 1kHz
at 1% T.H.D, 158dB SPL
with 10dB pad (149 and
159 for AT2050)
Power source: Phantom
power 11-52V DC, 3.8 mA
typical
Low Frequency Roll-off:
80Hz, 12dB/octave
Connector: Three-pin XLR
Extras: AT8458 shock
mount, threaded adapter,
soft protective pouch
Weight:
AT2035
403g
AT2050
412 g
Dimensions:
170 x 52mm
WHAT Is IT?
Two new studio
condensers from Audio
Technica – one cardioid,
one multi-patterned
ConTACT
Who: Audio Technica
Tel: [phone]
Web: audio-technica.com
HIGHLIGHTs
1 Decent build quality
2 Capacity to handle high
sound levels
3 Multiple polar patterns on
the AT2050
pRICInG
AT2035
£159
AT2050
£219
FMU216.rev_atmic 104 23/6/09 7:15:12 am