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CardioidHypercardioidAudio-Technica ATM250DE

MSRP: $550 Multi-Pattern Combination Microphone

Audio-Technica ATM250DE

Description

The ATM250DE is a second-generation, lower-cost version of the AE2500 dual-element microphone. Both can be used for kick drum, snare, or other instrument miking (e.g. guitar cabinets).

Both mics contain both a dynamic and a condenser capsule, mounted side-by-side in perfect phase alignment. This pairing is especially useful inside a kick drum, where the dynamic element captures the impact and definition of the beater, while the condenser element captures the resonance of the drum shell.

Like the AE2500, the ATM250DE has a 5-pin male XLR jack on the mic body, and the mic includes a 5m breakout cable to provide two separate outputs, one from each capsule. It is of course not necessary to use both capsules, but if you do, you’ll need two preamp channels.

The condenser element’s response can be altered by two onboard switches: a high-pass filter (80Hz) and a -10dB pad.

The mic ships with an “isolation mount” (p/n AT8471) and the aforementioned breakout cable.

What are the differences between the ATM250DE and the AE2500?

  • Cost: The ATM250DE is 25% less expensive, in part because the two capsules on the ATM250DE were “borrowed” from existing ATM-series products; e.g. the dynamic capsule is used in the ATM250. The two capsules in the AE2500 were created specifically for that application.
  • Frequency response: the ATM250DE has a somewhat limited low-end response (-3dB @ 40Hz) as compared to the AE2500 (-3dB @ 20Hz).
  • Directionality: the dynamic capsule in the ATM250DE is hypercardioid. In the AE2500, the dynamic capsule is cardioid.

The Audio-Technica ATM250DE is also known as: ATM-250DE.

The mic was released in 2006.

Pickup Patterns Pads & Filters
  • Cardioid (40 - 20,000 Hz)
  • Hypercardioid (40 - 15,000 Hz)
  • Pad: -10dB (Via Switch)
  • Filter: HPF @ 80 Hz (Via Switch)
Diaphragm size Impedance Max SPL
n/a n/a 148 dB
Weight Length Max Diameter Interface(s)
320g (11.29oz) 144mm (5.67'') 55mm (2.17'')
  • 3-pin XLR male (2)
  • 5-pin XLR male (1)
Power Specifications
  • Requires Phantom Power
  • Phantom voltage: 11-52v

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