Equipment Review
Product Reviewed:
Audio-Technica AT4060 cardioid tube condenser mic
Made by: Audio-Technica
Cost: $1200-ish
Submitted by Joel Cameron
Rating: 
Features:
Polar Pattern - Cardioid (unidirectional) Frequency Response - 20-20,000 Hz Impedance - 200 ohms Max SPL - 150 dB SPL, 1 kHz at 1% THD Noise (A-Weighted) - 19dB SPL Dynamic Range - 131 dB, 1 kHz at 150 dB SPL
Technical Specifications:
What I liked:
Flattering, but inhyped sound. Great for generally miking purposes. Very immediate (fast) transient response. Clear top-end, but smooth, not the slightest bit sibilent or edgy. Great for lead and back-up vox, piano, acoustic guitar, overheads, and even guitar cabinets (loud ones!). Great mic at twice the street price.
What I didn't:
No case to hold mic in its shockmount. Mic is somewhat difficult to put in its shock, but it's definitely secure once you've done it.
User Tips:
This mic produces a sound that is on the smooth, warm side of "natural." As a result, it's wonderful for capturing flattering, but natural feeling stereo images. For acoustic instruments try backing the mic (s) off the instrument a little more than normal and allow a touch of the "room" to live in the signal. This yields a remarkably rich and balanced sound. When used this way this mic will add wonderful depth and demension to your recordings, giving them a much more mature soundscape that is nearly impossible to pull-off with eq and effects.
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