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Audio-Technica AT4050ST

Multi-Pattern Condenser Stereo Microphone

The AT4050ST is a stereo version of the company’s multipattern FET LDC, the AT4050. It contains two dual-diaphragm capsules; the front-facing capsule is fixed for Cardioid pickup, while the side-facing capsule is fixed for Figure-8. The output of these two capsules is internally matrixed into three possible stereo formats:

• Mid-side
• 90° (XY) stereo
• 127° stereo

We believe the capsules are identical to those in the AT4050: 2-micron, 21.4mm diameter, externally-polarized, large-diaphragm, center-terminated designs covered with a nickel-plated brass baffle. In other mics this functions as a resonator plate, often to enhance the mic’s HF response; we speculate that this baffle has a similar effect here.

Switches on the mic body enable an optional pad (10dB), low-frequency rolloff (-12dB/octave @ 80Hz), and control the stereo output as noted above.

Sensitivity and self-noise figures vary with output pattern:

	Sensitivity	Self-noise
Mid-side	15.8 mV/Pa	15dBA mid, 17dBA side
90° Stereo	7.9 mV/Pa	25 dBA
127° Stereo	8.9 mV/Pa	16 dBA

The mic’s headbasket is described as an “open acoustical environment” designed to “minimize unwanted internal reflections.”

The mic ships with a low-profile elastic shockmount (Audio-Technica p/n AT8449), a “dust cover,” a 5-meter breakout cable (XLR-5F to 2xXLR-3M), and a padded vinyl case (p/n R1).

The AT4050 was first introduced at the AES-NYC show in the Fall of 2009.

Recording Magazine, 2012

For the most part, this mic sounds exactly like a phase-accurate pair of classic AT4050s.

Permalink: Audio-Technica AT4050ST

The mic was released in 2009.

Specifications

Frequency Response - Mid-Side StereoClick Graph to Compare!

Pickup Patterns	Pads & Filters
X/Y Stereo (7.9 mV/Pa; 20 - 18,000 Hz) Mid-Side Stereo (15.8 mV/Pa; 20 - 18,000 Hz)	Pad: -10dB (Via Switch) Filter: HPF: -12dB/oct @ 80Hz (Via Switch)

Capsule Dimensions	Impedance	SPL/Noise
Diaphragm diameter: 21.4mm Diaphragm gauge: 2 microns	50 Ohms (Low)	Max SPL: 159 dB Self-noise: 16.0 dB(A)

Weight	Length	Max Diameter	Interface(s)
517g (18.24oz)	193mm (7.60'')	n/a	5-pin XLR male (1)

Power Specifications
Requires phantom power Phantom voltage: 48v

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