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Earthworks Audio TC40K

Omnidirectional Condenser Microphone

The Earthworks TC40K was one of the company’s earliest omnidirectional electret condenser microphones. It was introduced around 1997, following the TC30K (now known as the TC30) and the OM-1, but discontinued within two years.

The TC40K and TC30K shared body styles and dimensions, but differed in performance:

• The TC40K frequency response was specified as ±1dB, 9Hz–30kHz; ±2dB to 40kHz. The TC30K tops out at 30kHz.
• Diaphragm settling time is 40µsec, half that of the TC30K, according to Recording Magazine.
• At 26dBA, the TC40K’s self-noise was 1dB lower than the TC30K.

Although the TC30K model was retained, the TC40K was discontinued around 1999.

Note: the photo on this page is of the TC30, which is very similar to and likely identical to the TC40K.

Recording Magazine, 1997

I put up the two pairs of Earthworks mics in a spaced pair in front of a newly stringed acoustic guitar… [We] could hear clearly that the 40Ks were brighter and missing a lower mid boost that the 30Ks had. The 40K overtones were brighter, and overall the sound was more “in your face.” The 40Ks outshone the 30Ks in this situation.

Electronic Musician, 1997

My first test was with two acoustic 12 string guitars… The sound was simply glorious, with tons of upper harmonics that gave the budget 12-string an almost otherworldly top-end sparkle but with plenty of body and richness.

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Specifications

Frequency Response - OmnidirectionalClick Graph to Compare!

Pickup Patterns	Pads & Filters
Omnidirectional (8 mV/Pa; 9 - 40,000)

Capsule Dimensions	Impedance	SPL/Noise
Capsule diameter: 6mm	n/a	Max SPL: 150 dB Self-noise: 26.0 dB(A)

Weight	Length	Max Diameter	Interface(s)
225g (7.94oz)	229mm (9.02'')	22mm (0.87'')	3-pin XLR male (1)

Power Specifications
Requires phantom power Phantom voltage: 48v

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