Audio-Technica ATM450 Condenser Microphone

Grab Audio-Technica's ATM450 side-address small-diaphragm cardioid condenser microphone to capture drum overheads, percussion, acoustic guitar, and more.

One of the stars of the Artist Series remake, the ATM450 cardioid condenser offers an innovative side-address stick design for endless placement options and minimal obstructions. The microphone is equipped with an integral 80 Hz hi-pass filter that provides easy switching from a flat frequency response to a low-end roll-off. The ATM450 also features a switchable 10 dB pad that lowers the microphone's sensitivity, providing higher SPL capability for flexible use with a wide range of performers and system configurations. The microphone's extended flat frequency response makes it ideal for high SPLs as well as for live and amplified acoustic instruments. Includes a professional isolation clamp to provide secure mounting, versatile positioning and effective dampening of unwanted mechanical noise.

Features:

- Unique side-address stick design maximizes placement options with minimal obstructions
- Uncompromising sound quality for overheads, percussion, acoustic guitar, strings and other acoustic instruments
- Integral 80 Hz HPF switch and 10 dB pad
- Durable performance for professional applications
- Cardioid polar pattern reduces pickup of sounds from the sides and rear, improving isolation of desired sound source
- Rugged, all-metal design and construction for years of trouble-free use
- Includes isolation clamp for shock protection, secure mounting and easy positioning

The ATM450 is intended for use in professional applications where remote power is available. It requires read more 11V to 52V DC phantom power, which may be provided by a mixer or console, or by a separate, in-line source such as the Audio-Technica AT8801 singlechannel or CP8506 4-channel phantom power supplies.

An integral 80 Hz hi-pass filter provides easy switching from a flat frequency response to a low-end roll-off. The roll-off position reduces the pickup of low-frequency ambient noise (such as traffic, airhandling systems, etc.), room reverberation and mechanically coupled vibrations. The ATM450 is also equipped with a switchable 10 dB pad that lowers the microphone's sensitivity, thus providing higher SPL capability for flexible use with a wide range of performers and system configurations.

The ATM450 includes an AT8471 isolation clamp to provide secure mounting, versatile positioning and effective dampening of unwanted mechanical noise. Avoid leaving the microphone in the open sun or in areas where temperatures exceed 110 degrees F (43 degrees C) for extended periods. Extremely high humidity should also be avoided.

Artist Series Microphones

Audio-Technica's renowned Artist Series has been re-engineered from the ground up. They've packed the culmination of 40-plus years of research and design into the rebirth of these road-proven, reliable designs -- adding some spectacularly innovative microphones to the line, and upgrading classic models for a complete selection of vocal, instrument and drum mics.

This first-ever remake of the Artist Series was inspired by consultations with touring artists and sound engineers who rely on these microphones for rock-solid performance night after night. Our engineers turned their what ifs into why nots. Why not create a dual-element kick drum mic that the working musician can afford? Or a pencil side-address condenser built for incredibly flexible placement options? What about adding a durable vocal condenser to the Artist Series family? And while they're at it, why not include a generous selection of real-world accessories that make these microphones easy to use on a clutter-free stage. We are proud to have made these and more dreams for this series a reality.

The sound is everything you'd expect from Audio-Technica. The vocal mics set industry standards for intelligibility, detailed reproduction and noise suppression. The instrument microphones feature a fast transient response and low distortion characteristics that faithfully reproduce the complex details of virtually every sound source. For the drums, Audio-Technica built on the legacy of its legendary AE2500, and introduced the ATM250DE, a dual-element kick-drum microphone that combines 2 perfectly positioned capsules in a single housing.

Whether you use wedges or in-ears, line-array or portable PA, the Artist Series will help you squeeze every ounce of performance out of your reinforcement system. Plus they're built tough. As the company that made studio condensers durable enough for stage use, Audio Technica knows a thing or 2 about solid construction. The Artist Series is rugged to the core -- these all-metal microphones are engineered to perform flawlessly despite the inevitable bumps and bruises of life on the road.

These microphones are created to bring clear sound, rock-solid durability and aesthetic design to every stage where artists and audiences connect... from corner bars to Carnegie Hall. Meet the Artist Series.
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- Element: Fixed-charge back plate permanently polarized condenser
- Polar Pattern: Cardioid
- Frequency Response: 40-20,000 Hz
- Low Frequency Roll-Off: 80 Hz, 18 dB/octave
- Open Circuit Sensitivity: -41 dB (8.9 mV) re 1V at 1 Pa*
- Impedance: 200 ohms
- Maximum Input Sound Level: 152 dB SPL, 1 kHz at 1% T.H.D.
- Dynamic Range: (typical) 127 dB, 1 kHz at Max SPL
- Signal-to-Noise Ratio: 1 69 dB, 1 kHz at 1 Pa*
- Phantom Power Requirements: 11-52V DC, 3.5 mA typical
- Switches: Flat, roll-off;10 dB pad
- Weight: 98 g (3.5 oz)
- Dimensions: 126.9 mm (5.00") long, 21.0 mm (0.83") diameter
- Output Connector: Integral 3-pin XLRM-type
- Accesories Furnished: AT8471 isolation clamp for 5/ 8" -27 threaded stands; 5/ 8".-27 to 3/ 8" -16 threaded adapter;windscreen;soft protective pouch
- *1 Pascal = 10 dynes/cm 2= 10 microbars = 94 dB SPL 1Typical, A-weighted, using Audio Precision System One. Specifications are subject to change without notice
Dimensions and Weight in Packaging
Base Item
Shipping Weight: 1 lbs
Shipping Dimensions: 10 x 5 x 3 in
Manufacturer Part Number (MPN): ATM450

For support or warranty questions, please contact the manufacturer:
Phone: 330-686-2600 x5000
Email: audio-solutions@atus.com

Reviewers gave this product an overall rating of 5 out of 5 stars. (9 ratings)
Submitted January 16, 2019 by Jonathan B in Mesquite, TX

"Incredible Value"

Overall: 5 out of 5 stars
(see rating details)
Verified Customer zZounds has verified that this reviewer made a purchase from us.
I really like this microphone. Great sound, easy to place and tough as nails. For the price point you can do different, but not necessarily better.Other contenders at this price point are the Audix ADX51, Sennheiser e614 and for a smidge more money the Shure KSM 137. I own all of them, and with the exception of the e614 that sounds rather harsh and cheap to my ears, they all have their uses. I tend to reach for the ATM450 for live micing hi-hat, ride and snare bottom. The off axis response is very even, so the unavoidable bleed you get in the positions I use them sounds much more pleasing. They're also brighter than the others, but in a good way. They really bring out the bite without being harsh. The side address design makes placement much easier as well.On occasion I've also used them as overheads and on snare top for jazzier type stuff. They do very well here as well. They don't excel on acoustic instruments though. That brightness tends to be a but too much there, and though the bottom end is very flat and clean, it is a bit on the lean side. If you're only going to buy one type of SDC, I'd go for the ADX51 or splurge a bit for the KSM137. They're certainly more versatile. For drums and percussion work though, it's hard to beat the ATM450.They're very roadworthy mics. I've drug mine all over the world and they consistently do 200+ shows a year. They've been hit and dropped many times. I've yet to have a single failure.

Musical Background:

Professional FOH Engineer for 20+ years.

Musical Style:

I'll mix whatever pays the bills, but tend to do mainly lighter rock and pop type stuff.
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