Audio Technica has just re released the ATM 4033. At $399 USD, with a shock mount & wood case (from BSW),
- http://www.bswusa.com - it is a great all around mic for vocals and instruments. It has a .75" diaphragm and is considered a medium diaphragm mic. Tight pick up pattern, nice crispy top end and ballsy lows. I have had 2 of these for several years and I love them. Great fit and finish and a great company to do business with. Very good customer service if you ever need it. Kurt

I agree with Kurt. The AT 4033 was the first condensor I bought and it was a great choice. It is very versatile for any acoustic source. It is a mid size Diaphram ( I'm sure Kurt didn't mean 1.5 dia) I believe it is 1/2 inch or 5/8 inch. Years later even after buying many others including tube mics I still go back to the 4033 again and again. It is just a really good mic. The only problem I have ever had with it is on sibilant female voices. The upper end has some sizzle to it that does'nt work some times with really bright female voices.
For a more neutral sounding multi pattern you may look at the Studio projects B-3 (about$160). It is another versatile mic you probably won't ever get rid of either. I love mine!

Oh these guys are so right! I love both of these mics...I just got my SP B3 and wow!!!...I have used the 4033 on a number of occasions throughout history and it is everything that has been alluded to...very open and bright...the B3 is a bit darker but it has a quality to the top end which reminds me of an older Neumann...not as much detail(what does) but very very nice and for the price....fa-ged-a-bou-dit!...the ADK Area51 or the new 'hemiheads'model 'st'ADK's are quite stunning for the price...another great vocal mic just in yer price range is the Shure KSM32..only one pattern but it excells at what it does...good luck....

Tom... ooops! You're right. Thanks for pointing that out. I meant .75" dia... The meds must not have kicked in yet when I wrote that! :D I went back and edited that! he-he-he-he.. BTW, I am happy to say that Alan Hyatt has taken some time out of his busy schedule to contact me regarding his sending me some review pieces. I am expecting a T3 multi pattern LD condenser and a VTB -1 mic pre soon! I will keep you all posted! Kurt

I have one too. In addition to sounding good, they can really take a beating, both physically and sonically. I think they sound best in the low output mode.

KSM27

Thats all you need

Ya know, I like the KSM27 too...but the 32 is just bigger...more defined and has a broader range and a bit more air in the top end...not that the 27 is a 'bad' choice.. its not, but for another 100 you could get the 32...or a 4033...

I got a Blue Baby Bottle (with shock and awe...I mean shock and pop) used for $416 on ebay, like new.

Teamed with my Speck 5.0 mic pre--Lordy, it's dynamite.

.nick

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Has anyone used the KSM32s, NTK, or AT4033s for drum OHs?

I wonder if I can get away with a pair of these for my first condensers.

I picked up 2 3035s for 200 each a few years back...very good show for the dough.

Another great vocal mic in that price range is the Shure SM87A...Like the 57 and 58, its primarily designed as a stage mic, but sometimes it is THE mic for the job.

for lead vocals - shure sm-7
for backing vocals - something condenser and big-
like a tlm 170 ( something great for tons of things.