Skip to main content

Hi kids. Uncle Dogg purchased a couple of used mics last night and I want to tell you about them and ask if anyone else has used this model or even seen one. .These are Audio-Technica ATM5R's. A small handheld style condenser, an SDC for sure, with a pop screen and a mini XLR connector. I had heard about these several years ago and was always curious since the report I got was sterling. A couple came up for sale on the local CL and I snapped em up for a good price. After our gig last night (500th show for the band !) I got home and plugged em in to the board in the studio.

I'm excited. Can you tell? I may use these as vocal mics in the studio and live. They are thick and rich, they have a real rear rejection (smc) in short the sound is BIG. I couldnt find ANY pdf or even a mention of them on the AT site even in the discontinued section. I couldnt get them to break up at all. Think SM58 with the tone of a KSM44.

AT mics are, as always, as surprising as they are great.

Comments

moonbaby Tue, 11/16/2010 - 10:03

A "mini XLR connector"? Really? I believe you ! Those types of mics were typically made by A-T to be used as handheld announcer mics to go to either a video camera for ENG applications or for apps like a tour guide's announcing mic (to beltpack transmitter). I recall that the AT5R was the cardioid version of the AT10R (?). I have yet to hear a "bad" A-T...I just bought a used AT4050 for $275 off of CL!!
How much did you pay for these little jewels?

Davedog Wed, 11/17/2010 - 12:27

Moon, I think yer right! I was thinking that myself when I got them....$75 for 2. Mini XLR to mini 1/8" for a cameras' sound input....heavy rear rejection so no camera fools' breathing....9 to 52volt operation....no battery internal.....yeah, makes sense.....The body is a bit small in dia. than yer standard SDC..... The ATM10R is probably the 'daddy' mic and was omni me thinks......There has been a couple of 4050's go through CL here in the last month but all over 3bills....275 would tax my ability to NOT spend what little money I have....(pssss, hey kid wanna buy a mic??.....) But man do they sound great! These have a standard XLR on the snake end....

moonbaby Fri, 11/19/2010 - 08:47

I never cared for SDC's on a geetar amp. BTW, the dude I bought the AT4050 from last week just sold me a Beyer M160 and an SM-7 (both like new) for $550. I couldn' help myself. Get this: the reason he's selling off these nice mics is because all he uses now is a 3035. He said that these good mics aren't bright enough for him (!) and loves the 3035...WTF?!?!?!?

boxcar Fri, 11/19/2010 - 12:44

If he likes bright mics, then why pay "all that money" for a 3035.

All kidding aside though,just goes to show that one man treasure can be another man's thrash............or he was pulling your leg about the reason for selling them.
Smokin deals though.

On a similar note, i just bought a TLM 103 for $500 with the wooden case and shock mount. I know,i know but i like the 103.lol

Davedog Fri, 11/19/2010 - 14:42

MOON: Saving real mics one at a time!

Well he does have a point. The 3035 is a bit brighter than all those quality ones he tried and WAY less susceptable to the crapola from the b)*&%#!!^er sheist.

Remember, I have "storage" for any abused mics in this studio. I'm jus sayin.............

moonbaby Fri, 11/19/2010 - 15:54

I'll keep that in mind...:)
My only "abused" mic in my posession at this time is a Beyer M69. It was a sweet mic for the ladies, I was in love.Then it rolled off of a lecturn and POP! It hit the floor and popped apart like one of those Crashmobiles that were around in the 60's. Now it's a talkback mic!

Think Green! Recycle old pro mics by sending them to:
(East Coast) moonbaby
(West Coast) Davedog

dvdhawk Fri, 11/19/2010 - 16:32

I salvaged 3 old AKG C451's from a church cabinet last week. Two are black body EB's probably mid 80's, One is the older silver E version - all have CK1 capsules [ two silver, one black ]. Several years ago someone talked them into buying 4 x SM81's to replace the 451's for choir and congregational mics. Both are fine SDC mics, so it seems like a lot of expense for a lateral move. The 451's work perfectly. I traded for them, win/win. I've got several of the newer models, so I'll be interested in A/B ing them someday in a good sounding room.

I've been seeing a lot of E-V RE15's collecting dust in lately too. I don't know what I'd do with them, but I hate to see decent mics wasting away in a closet.

Davedog Sat, 11/20/2010 - 10:40

You guys are killing me. I've got a $20 for one of those RE15's BTW............I love the 'E' series 451's. They havent been the same since. I guess I'm gonna have to get out and start 'salvaging' at some of the local churches.

Last night the new little mini-me ATM's went live as a vocal mic at our gig. I am now convinced ( a buddy has been harping about this for years) that a high quality vocal condenser on stage is the real deal. These things look funny on top of a mic stand but the performance was incredible. The rear rejection was massive and the articulation and power awesome! Its almost like I could really sing........

sshack Mon, 11/22/2010 - 06:17

I concur about AT...just great products all around. The 4033 was my first 'real' microphone and I've loved it on dang near everything I've put it in front of. Earlier this year while ribbon mic shopping I decided to take a more unorthodox-ed approach and go for their new 4080 and have zero regrets.

sshack Mon, 11/22/2010 - 15:30

Ya know, everybody hears stuff differently, so I couldn't argue with those comment but I haven't really experienced anything beyond the normal proximity effect. I suppose it's more pronounced on this mic that some others, but I also don't have much experience with other ribbons.

The closest that I can comment on it getting 'tubby' is when I used it as vocal mic. Really though, I just backed off about 3 or 4 inches and it was fine. You certainly wouldn't eat this mic.

Other than that, I've used it as a room mic, as a mono OH (just for fun), acoustic guitars and electric guitar cabs, usually about 8 - 12 inches away and it performed wonderfully, Each time it was almost like throw it up, set the levels and it just works.

Dunno, maybe I'm oversimplifying, but that's just how it has been for me. I tend to approach recording in a very minimalist fashion. I don't like (nor am I good at) editing and 'fixing' things after the fact. If I can't get it to sound good on the take, then I do it again. The 4080 has yet to disappoint me in that regard.

Davedog Wed, 12/29/2010 - 14:00

Christmas is sorta over so I can now reveal what Santacaloric brought me besides chocolate goodies. I had some needs....so I bought a pristine condition Audix OM-5 for my live mic. I've gone through two different AT's with neo magnets and they both WORE OUT....Strange but true. So its back to weaponry. I also scored another ATM25. Really nice shape.....gee, what'll I use it on???? The really sad part about this was it came with a free ATM41 and a free ATM33R. Nice little hat mic that 33. And a great 'guest singer' mic that 41. Merry Christmas from the mic locker.

Latest news. My local gear house has gotten a large collection on consignment. Some of the booty include Jim Williams modded C460's ..a single and a pair. 3zigma 's with the lollipop caps and others....and then theres the real stuff.......

They have gotten a pair of AKG300 SDC's with three caps each...cardioid, omni, and fig'o 8. Minty.

x

User login