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I have an AT 4050 in my mic locker, so I was very interested to see how this stereo version would perform. The side-address AT 4050ST contains two discrete capsules, one Cardioid, one Figure-Eight, offering a few different options for stereo recording. In standard Left-Right mode, you have two stereo widths to choose from: a tight 90-degree angle for more intimate recordings, and a wider 127-degree angle when you want extra ambience. Both of these settings are internally matrixed, meaning the output from the microphone is already separated into the stereo image. Audio Technica supplies a special stereo cable with a five-pin connector on the microphone end which splits off into two standard three-pin XLR connections for the left and right channels.
For more control over the stereo imaging, the AT 4050ST also operates in Mid-Side mode, with the Cardioid capsule capturing audio directly in front of the mic and the Figure-Eight capsule capturing audio out to either side of the center. In this configuration, the output is not matrixed. You're getting the center audio on one channel and the side audio on the other channel. You'll have to matrix your audio on your mixer to get the stereo effect, but you'll have much more precise control over how wide you want the stereo image to be, and how the side ambience relates to the center audio.
If you're unfamiliar with how to set up an external matrix, it basically involves routing the output from the Figure Eight capsule to a pair of channels on your mixer. You then flip one of the channels 180-degrees out of phase with the other, and pan them hard left and right. The output of the Cardioid capsule stays centered. By increasing the volume of the side channels in relation to the center channel, you widen the overall stereo separation. If your mixer doesn't allow you to flip the phase, you can accomplish the same effect in a digital audio environment. Simply copy the audio from the Figure Eight capsule into a new track, flip the phase, and use the same panning/volume control to set your stereo spread.
Other than the stereo operation, specs and features are about the same as the mono 4050. They both weigh about 18 ounces, have the same 20 Hz - 18 kHz response, and come with a -10 dB pad and 80 Hz filter to cut the lows. You don't get the same selectable polar patterns as the 4050, but it's a small price to pay for the stereo capabilities of the 4050ST.
The packaging is decent, with a hard case containing the mic, stereo XLR cable, suspension mount, and dust cover.
According to Audio Technica, this mic is suitable for virtually any situation that traditionally employs stereo recording. String quartets, acoustic folk music, Acapella vocal ensembles, solo acoustic instruments such as piano and guitar, and up over the top of a drum kit. A warning about the drum overheads; the mic seemed a bit wobbly in the suspension mount when I had it tilted at an angle on a boom stand. I'm not sure I trust the mount in any position other than straight up and down.
As is typical with Left-Right stereo recording, the AT 4050ST performed best in these modes when positioned up close to the audio source. This limits the scope of the recording to the intended source without a lot of external ambience, and maximizes the stereo image. The Mid-Side mode does a good job from farther away, allowing you to adjust the width of the stereo field from the external matrix.
My first test involved capturing an ad hoc percussion kit with a cajon, snare, cymbal, and shakers. I positioned the 4050ST at about head-height (standing) and angled down towards my seated position, using the wider of the two Left-Right modes. As previously stated, I was concerned about the mic's stability in the mount, but once I had it set I knew there was little chance of bumping it and went ahead with the test. Results were clean and transparent, with plenty of detail in the stereo image. The positioning of the mic and the wider angle allowed a healthy amount of natural ambience into the take, and I didn't feel the need to enhance with any artificial 'verb. I switched to the 90-degree mode and halved the distance between the mic and the kit, shallowing the angle to compensate. As expected, the stereo spread became more exaggerated, and the reduction of ambience made the track a bit more raw and intimate.
Finally, I switched to Mid-Side mode and moved the mic out to the edge of the room, high up in the corner about 10 feet away. I've improvised this type of setup with a pair of studio mics several times, and always had good results. The AT 4050ST performed really well in this position, and sounded much more natural than my two-mic experiments had. The track was a little anemic in the bass range for my taste; my two-mic setup always had plenty of low end. I left the 4050ST in position and tracked a stand-up bass, acoustic guitar, and fiddle each in a different spot in the room to simulate a Bluegrass band. In some cases, I supplemented the 4050ST with a close-up ribbon mic to fatten the track. After monkeying with the phase and the stereo spread of each instrument track, I was able to create a pretty believable ensemble performance.
Back in Left-Right mode, I tracked some close-up tenor guitar, mouth harp, and washboard, engaging the 80 Hz filter to tighten up the sound. It was fairly easy to layer these on top of the Mid-Side tracks, and really helped fill out the overall sound. I made a few passes in each of the Left-Right modes, and swapped out the widths for different passages in the tune. The shifting stereo field added a nice new dimension to the flow of the song. I used the same technique (again, supplemented with a close-up ribbon mic) for the vocal takes, and was very pleased with the outcome.
Overall, the versatility of the AT 4050ST stereo microphone really shined through. Trying to find a pair of mics to perform as well in each of the three stereo modes would likely cost much more money, so the value was clear to me. My only real complaint was the lack of bass response from farther out in the room, but there's definitely more upside in the equation.
5 out of 5
(1 ratings)
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