j_doe, post: 434632, member: 49569 wrote: Reading the manual to AT BP40 I've noticed it is defined as "front addressing microphone with in-built pop filter", but in pretty much all youtube videos where people are using it, they address it from the side (approx. 45 degree angle). Is it just about "try what works best for you" or certain way is actually preferred? Thanks.

No. It's a front-address mic.
I don't know what vids or pics you've seen - professional ads often "pose" models/actors based on how they look in the picture, as opposed to the accuracy of how the product they are supposed to be advertising is designed to be used...

That's not to say that the mic still wouldn't pick up at fairly decent levels from being at a slight distance; but it would be a distance that would still be on-axis. According to the specs:
"Optimized capsule placement helps maintain a commanding vocal presence even at a distance, while the multistage windscreen provides superior internal pop filtering."

source: http://www.audio-technica.com/cms/wired_mics/d38854ca3f6290c0/index.html

So, what they are saying here, is that you won't get huge variations in levels if you happen to back-off the mic at a short distance while still being in front of it, (Although they're not specific as to what distances they are referring to )...
but as a front -address mic, it's designed to be at its most sensitive response and provide an optimal performance, by being directly in front of it, like any other front-address microphone. It's also a hyper-cardioid, which means that its pattern is highly focused at the center, with maximum off-axis rejection.

The short answer... those vids where you see people singing into the side of this mic aren't using it in the way it was designed to be used.

On that note, you need to be careful when watching videos of other people using gear. Beyond what I mentioned above - regarding professional photogs or vid guys posing models based on how "cool" they look in a picture or video - the internet is filled with more than its fair share of idiots, who are clueless about how to the properly use audio gear. LOL.

FWIW

-d.

Stick to the manual, you'll be much better-informed.

As far as YouTube goes, there's an old saying, "believe nothing of what you hear, and only half of what you see".
In the current age of technology and acrimony, I'd say both of the numbers represented there seem really high to me. :)

AT's answer to the SM7B. I usually refer to microphones of this type as "end-addressed", as "front" can simply mean the part nearest you. I tear my hair out when doing live work whenever I hand a mic to an announcer and he/she holds it as though blowing across the top of a bottle.

You are not going to get much other than high-frequency lisping from the side of a BP40:

You tube videos are magic - many show mics being used without wires - amazing. And if you see the big band style videos using Shure 55's they seem to produce good sound when being waved all over the place - remaining good sounding when used sideways, backwards and at any distance.

Perhaps we could suggest some great videos to watch that feature these magic mics?

paulears, post: 434732, member: 47782 wrote: You tube videos are magic - many show mics being used without wires - amazing.

Oh, those are radio mics - I'm surprised you didn't know that. Now just look at all those videos featuring guitars with no leads connected and drumkit hits with the sticks around head height - there's real magic.

The flat Sennheisers (MD409, e609, e906) even have the word "FRONT" on them, and I've seen people who believed that meant the FRONT side toward the audience, not toward the guitar amp. So sad it's funny.